Chapter 001

After hours of pain and sadness, I finished the task of mourning my mother’s body and burying her with her siblings. A feeling of despair enveloped me as I stared at the newly laid headstone, alone in the cemetery. A grumble of protest tore from my throat. There was no one but me to say goodbye to her, not even that horrible man she had called her husband for so long.  

“At least you’re free of that monster, Mom,” I muttered as I wiped the tears that insisted on falling from my face.  I’m going to have to learn to live on my own and face the punishment you left for me.” 

I was just getting home when hurried footsteps came towards me, making me twist my neck. My heart raced as I came across the figure of some men walking towards where I was. I knew one of those faces well, and I didn’t like seeing him there. 

“Mason,” my voice escaped in a whisper just as I slowly stood up to look into his eyes. He came closer and closer. “What the hell is that bastard doing here at this hour?” 

My eyes ran around the empty place as if looking for something to take refuge in, but there was nothing but fear standing before me. I took a few cautious steps backwards, frightened. I knew Mason’s cruelty, and I knew he wasn’t there to pay a visit in the middle of the day. 

“Are you trying to escape, Emma?” My movements didn’t go unnoticed, in front of my stepfather. “Did you think I wouldn’t come to collect the debt your mother left for me?” 

“What are you talking about?” I said between my teeth as I felt my voice tremble with fear. I couldn’t say anything else. 

“Your mother’s bitch died and left you a huge hospital bill to pay,” he spat the words, and a wave of pain swept through my heart.” I’m here to settle our accounts.” 

I looked at the faces of the men standing next to Mason, and I didn’t like what I saw. What do you mean, settle the debt my mother had left? What was Mason up to? To my horror, the men approached, forming almost a menacing circle around me, their gazes fixed on me as if they were going to devour me at any moment. 

“Take her,” Mason ordered.  I’ll be kind enough to let you know that I’ve sold you to a wealthy man, for a sum that will not only pay off the debts your mother left behind, but will also make me comfortable for a few years.” 

“Shit!” My eyes burned with intense anger, but I wouldn’t have time to question him. I had to get away. 

“They won’t sell me like a commodity!”

I acted out of survival, dodging the attack of one of them and landing a blow between the legs of the second. How I had done it, I had no idea. I knew I had to escape if I wanted to be rid of Mason forever. 

A grunt of pain escaped the lips of one of them as, spinning on my heels, I began to run. Mason shouted right behind me for them to catch me. 

Wearing a skirt, I had to lift it up to the middle of my shin, and that cost me precious seconds. However, my speed wasn’t enough and when I looked back, one man was just a few centimeters away from me. I felt his hands grab me before he threw my body against the hard, wet ground. 

A cry of pain echoed through the space, and an unbearable ache ran through my entire body. The man put all his weight on me, while I, with tears in my eyes, struggled to escape a second time. My efforts were in vain; in a single gesture, the man lifted me up and placed me back in front of my evildoer. 

I stared steadily into his cold, empty eyes before feeling a slap on my face. I shuddered as I felt my cheek burn and a chill run down my spine. 

“Have you forgotten the beatings I gave you when your mother wasn’t home?” His face came close to mine, and I felt nauseous at the smell of him. “She wasn’t even there to defend you. How can you mourn the death of a woman who didn’t even believe your reports?” 

Mason opened the wound in my heart. It reminded me of the times I used to tell my mother about the abuse I constantly suffered from Mason. Maybe she believed it, but didn’t have the courage to get rid of him. Tears filled my eyes, but I wouldn’t dare cry in front of him. 

I shrugged before I felt his filthy fingers touch me, lifting my face to look at him. 

“Think on the bright side, Ema, you’ll get rid of me,” a contemptuous smile crossed his lips, revealing his rotten teeth. “The man is wealthy and will make you his wife. You’ll live well from now on, and you’ll thank me in the future.” 

“No,” my answer is firm, but it doesn’t surprise Mason. 

“I’m not giving you a choice,” he shouted.” the deal is already done. These men are here to take you to your future husband.” 

Hearing his declaration, I try to escape for the third time. My quick movements make Mason take dramatic action and I remember only his fists, closed, coming towards me. 

I awoke, startled. Realizing I was in a luxurious, brightly lit room. I wondered how I had ended up there and who those people were around me. A woman approached and tried to touch my face. I cringed, observing my surroundings and looking for a way out. 

“Calm down, darling, I’m not going to hurt you,” she said, and then I realized that she was dressed in maid’s clothes. 

“Don’t touch me,” I shouted when she tried to touch me again,” who are you and where am I?” 

“I’m Samantha, Mr. Gregory’s housekeeper,” she said sympathetically,” and Mr. Gregory ordered me to take care of your injuries.”

“Who’s Gregory?” Samantha arched her eyebrows as if in doubt at my words,  Where’s bloody Mason? 

That’s when the bedroom door opened and a male figure walked in. He was a tall, fair-skinned man with an ice-cold stare. He had powerful arms and dark, straight hair. His large beard didn’t hide his chiseled face. His confident stance stopped right in front of me, and his arrogant gaze lingered on my face. 

“I’m Gregory,” a tone of pride and coldness in his timbre,” the man who bought you and made you my wife.” 

“Wife?” I jumped to my feet as I felt a sharp pang invade my head. “I don’t remember marrying you.” 

“Of course you don’t.” The harshness in his words made it clear how irritated he was by my questioning. “If you like, you can read the contract. From now on, you’re my wife, and you’ll do whatever I say.” 

Without any ceremony, Gregory turned on his heels and left. I caught the paper he threw, held it before my face, and read it. A mist hung over my eyes when I saw my name on that marriage certificate.