CHAPTER 1

LITTLE THIEF

Mila’s POV

“Thief!”

Thief?

“Stop right there you bastard!” Alarmed, I raised my head to see a bald man going after my little brother, Jett. Frightened to death, I dropped the little food item I was able to get and ran after them, feeling my heart tighten in my chest. I ran with every fiber in me, increasing my speed as I felt the adrenaline rush in.

I couldn't understand why my brother was being called a thief, but I chased after them anyway. Getting to a stop, I watched as Jett ran straight to a deserted area and halted. The bald man smirked and inched closer, only to stop upon hearing my voice. “What do you think you're doing to my little brother?” I yelled, glaring at him as anger filled my chest. Even if he was a thief, I was going to protect him with the last drop of my blood.

Ever since our mother's death, life has been tough and hard. For now, we only had each other, and I was going to be his strength whenever he needed me.

“Are you talking to me? Wait, both of you came to my store to steal from me?” The bald man asked, raising a brow in question. “Steal? Did you see us with anything? Would a thief leave a shop empty-handed?” I asked as I threw him a disgusting gaze, making him chuckle. “You're feisty and I like it. Your brother stole from me, but would you like to pay with your body instead?” he smirked as he inched closer, making my stomach churn in disgust.

“Never!” I spat, disgusted by his lame words. “Well then, I'll make your brother pay,” he said coldly as he walked closer to my brother, Jett. He stretched his hand and grabbed him by the neck, as his eyes glowed with malicious intent. I felt my heart skip a beat as I watched his inhumane act.

“What do you think you're doing?!” I yelled, my eyes widening in terror.

The bald man tightened his arms around his neck and raised him, and I watched as my brother's legs dangled in the air fighting for his breath. “One step closer and I'll end him,” he warned, strictly telling me the consequence of coming closer.

“Your brother here is a little thief. He stole some money in my shop, and I'm sure he has it in here. While you were trying to beg for some food, you asked him to steal from me? How dare you?!” his voice thundered, scaring the hell out of me. I watched as his grip on Jett tightened, and the thought of him losing his life because of a small amount of money riled me up.

Jett kicked his legs in the air, his face turned red as he was in a lot of pain. Tears stung my eyes as I watched him, and I suddenly didn't feel like adhering to the man's instructions. Stay put when he was this close to killing my brother? Never!

I picked up a stick from my side and attacked him from behind. “Leave my little brother alone!” I yelled at the top of my lungs, only for him to kick me to the side like the wave of a disgusting bug. Falling to the ground with a loud crash, I whimpered as I scratched my knee which was already bleeding.

Jett groaned in pain as the bald man flung him like a ragged doll, making him crash against a wall. “Jett!” I cried out as I watched him collide against a wall. The bald man approached Jett, but I ran towards them, placing myself in between the man and my brother.

“Please, leave us alone. We're orphans.” I pleaded, my voice croaked with pain. Taking this bald man alone would only cause our deaths. After all, we were orphans. After our mother's death, our life took a drastic turn as our father chased us out because of his new wife. The thought of that simply made my blood boil.

That man? There was no way he was my father. He chased his children out on the streets just to satisfy his newlywed wife, who happened to be his late wife’s sister— my aunt.

I shook my head and turned to the bald man, “Please…” I whispered, only for the man to grip my chin with his rough and large hands, “Spend a night with me, and I'll consider not ending your brother's life.” he said as he licked his lips, staring at me with lust.

Hearing him mention the disgusting offer of his the second time, I controlled the urge not to puke. Spend a night with him? That would be over my dead body. I turned to Jett, my gaze demanding an explanation but I knew now wasn't the time. A few minutes earlier, I asked him to wait while I tried to plead with the shopkeeper for some food.

Eating a three-square meal was now a thing of the past. Getting a nice breakfast to eat was now something impossible. Unable to watch my siblings go hungry, I decided to go out to beg for some food, but Jett initially disagreed with the idea. He was strong-headed, just like father but that was going to make us starve.

Who would have thought he already planned to steal?

“Do I even need to give thieves an option?” The bald man's crooked voice rang out, interrupting my thoughts as he dragged my legs against the ground, making my eyes widen in fear. “Don't you dare touch her!” Jett snapped as he tried to stand, but he kept on falling every time he tried to take a step. “Leave her alone, you bastard!” I heard him yell again, and tears stung my eyes when I noticed the helplessness in his voice.

I kicked the man's hands with my legs, but he was way too strong. His grip on my legs was tight, his eyes boring holes into my body like he was looking at a feast that he was gradually going to enjoy. I felt a lump in my chest when I felt him Inch closer, but I raised my hands to slap him. I couldn't stand it. The disgusting grin on his face when he brought his face close to mine.

And at the same time, he brought his hands upon my face and slapped me hard. I groaned in pain as my face twisted to the side, wondering why my life was filled with so much misery. The bald man wiped his lips and stared at me, “There there. You're only going to make it more fun.” he smirked as he placed his hands on my dress, wanting to tear it apart.

Jett’s screams echoed in my ears as I struggled with the man, but it was to no avail. When should I give up? My heart tightened when I heard him tear my dress, exposing my underwear. I tried to cover myself, but he only slapped me again, making me bite my lips hard as tears flowed out of my eyes.

However, as the man brought his face closer, I heard the most reassuring voice. Compared to the helplessness in Jett’s voice, I could sense the authority and superiority oozing from this one.

“You dare lay your filthy hands on her?”