CHAPTER FOUR

EMMA’S POV

I was walking into a party with three of his men behind us. I could feel my blood rushing to my ears, and I wanted more than nothing to wake up and find out it was a dream. For the first time in my twenty-five years, I stood in a magnificent room, wearing the most beautiful gold gown I have ever owned, yet I felt nothing. Five chandeliers were visible from where we stood, and a song was being played in the background. Different artworks were sitting on every wall, including animal skins and skeletons. Yet, none of the people there seemed bothered. They continued talking while dressed in expensive outfits and clanking their glasses against one another.

The monster left me to greet some men, leaving just a guard with me. I looked around the room, hoping to find someone to help me or maybe I could run away. But then, thoughts of my mother came to my mind. His words, and I gulped down saliva.

“Let’s go meet the highlight of the day.” He said as he approached me and wrapped his arm around my waist. I could only follow him like a puppet. I felt so powerless, and I hated it.

Over at the table sat the man I never thought I would meet again. My father.

“Judge Vicktor. We meet again.” The devil smirked, and I watched Father’s face go blank for a second. He shoved me into a chair and settled beside me. “I believe you have met your daughter.” 

I could only look away at my fingers as memories of everything he made us go through consumed my mind. Father smiled, then sipped his transparent wine.

“I don’t remember having one.” He responded, smiling, and I felt my heart squeeze as tears began to form in my eyes.

The devil said nothing for a second, but he laughed. He laughed at my pain and anguish. Next, one of his hefty men stepped forward with a folder he placed in front of the Judge. Father opened it, and his lips twitched. From where I sat, I could see pictures of him, my mother, and me. There were my baby pictures. 

“What do you intend I do with this?” The asshole I called a father said with no form of expression as he shoved the pictures back into the folder. My heart ached so bad, and I felt tears slide down.

He hated me. Why?

“To jog your memory, judge.” The devil leaned forward. “Your wife and daughter are at my mercy, and I can let them go on one condition.” 

Father’s lips twitched before he relaxed backwards. “I don’t care what the condition is. Did she not tell you I lost interest in them long ago? Kill her for all I care, Mr. Barone. You are only taking dirt off my palms.”

I froze. My breath stopped for a second, and I felt a very uncomfortable knot in my stomach. I wanted to scream. Throw the glass of wine at him and let everyone know how much of an asshole he was. And how he was nothing like he portrayed himself to be. But I couldn’t.

The devil said nothing. He was speechless.

“You can leave, Mr. Baron. I have guests. Do let me know when I can be of help next.” With this, he stood up and walked away.

I let the tears fall. The tiny sobs fight against my throat. I let them all out. Life was cruel to me. The wound I had thought was healed ripped open once again.

I could feel the devil’s eyes on me, but I didn’t care anymore. He pulled me up, and we soon walked back to his car. 

The second the car door closed, I let the tears out, sobbing against my dress. Blaming myself for ruining my mother’s life. Maybe Father would have loved her if I didn’t exist. The pain inside me grew bigger and bigger, and soon I couldn’t breathe. But the pain doesn’t end.

“But boss, the meeting.” I heard one of them say.

“Fuck the meeting, Claw. We need to find a way to handle this.” He gritted his teeth.

I don’t know how many minutes have passed, but by the time I was aware of anything, I was being held in his arms as he carried me into the house. My head was banging hard, my nose was blocked, and even my aching eyes weren’t left out. 

‘You are a failure. You should never have been born.’ Father’s constant words echoed in my head, and I sniffed back another tear.

“Cry if you have to.” He said, then looked down at me. 

I nodded gently, knowing better than to get on his nerves now that I had no use. He dropped me in my bed and draped the duvet over me. His eyes wandered over me again as he towered above me.

“If you let every word they say get to you. You will never beat them at their own game.” 

****

I had spent all night tossing in the bed because every time I closed my eyes, I found myself witnessing him hit my mother over and over again. I felt like a shadow of myself and didn’t notice when the door opened.

“Boss wants you downstairs for breakfast.” A man informed me and was gone before I could ask questions. 

I dragged myself out of bed while my heart thudded as I awaited my fate. Was he going to let me go or kill me? 

The cold water did nothing to calm me, and soon, I was dressed in the gown from last night because there was nothing to wear. I caught sight of a little girl’s clothes folded in a drawer, making me wonder if he had kids. A monster like him wasn’t fit to be a father.

“Take a seat.” He said the second I showed up in the big dining room, the one I knew as Scar had brought me to. He had such a weird name and barely spoke.

I did as told and watched a dark-haired female I hadn’t noticed step forward to dish out food for me. She had on a white apron. 

“Thank you, Claudia. You can head to the quarters now.” He said, and Claudia nodded, then walked away. “The food is safe. You can eat.” He inputted without lifting his head.

“I’m not hungry.” 

No sooner had I said that when my stomach rumbled, and I bit my lower teeth out of embarrassment while holding onto my stomach.

He scoffed, then scooped a spoonful of Spag from my plate and munched on it before returning to his like it was nothing.

I swallowed saliva out of fear, but still, I ate the food. I had nothing to eat last night and had no energy from crying myself to sleep. The atmosphere was tense and quiet for a while. Until….

“What are your plans?” 

My hand stopped midway. What did he mean?

“Huh!”

“For your father. Men like him shouldn’t have more kids.”