LOGINClara stood in the middle of the glass room with her transparent clothes, holding back her embarrassment while trying to cover her body with both hands. There were cheers from outside the glass room and naughty looks from the hungry men. "1 million," "5 million," "7 million," Everyone placed a bet on Clara at a fairly low price, tears kept going to roll down Clara's rosy cheeks. Her body was almost shaky and she couldn't meet everyone's eyes, she was like a kitten amidst a hungry lion. "50 million," A man's voice that surprised her made their eyes meet. A most dangerous mafia chief raises his betting cards and shocks everyone. Steven looked at Clara with a grin, as if he was ready to eat Clara alive. His eyes were sharp like a wolf's, and it was him.
View MoreClara propped against the window, looking out at the gray clouds drifting across the sky. The rain fell gently, tracing on the glass like tears she no longer wished to weep. Ruby sat in the middle of the room, running light fingers over the music box Steven had given her. Its gentle song had been a solace to her, a gentle lullaby that had, for an instant, pushed aside her nightmares.Three evenings had passed since the present was received, and ever since, Ruby had slept wondrously. Clara wished she hated the man who sent it—hated tearing the note into pieces and damning his name. But she just could not deprive herself of what it was accomplishing with her daughter.And that was the worst which frightened her most.She had no idea where she was anymore. Her hard, cold heart, lie-resistant and now broken at such easy giving. Steven lingered in their lives like a ghost—lost, but still haunting all the glanced-over looks Ruby glances back over her shoulder at the door, all the bursts of
The clock on the wall quietly ticked by with the stillness of night as Clara remained sitting on the bed, her fingers lightly sweeping Ruby's forehead. The child convulsed again, sleep interrupted by something Clara was unable to decipher — an intensifying terror night after night."Mommy…" Ruby woke in her sleep, little fists clutching the blanket as though it alone restrained her.Clara felt her heart break for the hundredth time that week.“I’m here, baby,” she whispered, pressing a soft kiss on her daughter’s temple.It'd been weeks since they'd gone out. Weeks since Clara'd instructed Steven never to find them again. But even as far removed as they'd attempted to become, the outlines of that house — of all that'd transpired — pursued. Clara sensed it in Ruby's fidgeting, in the haunted way she inspected the periphery of the room as though someone would appear from it.Clara slowly lowered herself beside Ruby, wrapped her in a hug, and attempted to warm her shivering. Only warmth,
Morning light struggled to get through Steven's office window, dense folds of fabric, and flooded golden warmth into the room. Steven was awake. His mind had gone round and round all night. Ruby's small face before him as he had seen—how she concealed herself in Clara, weeping, her shakie little hands. But still, he could hear the call of "Papa" from her. The guilt had left, now supplanted with lust. It was a flame that burned within him, one that no whiskey or authority could extinguish.Steven sat forward in his chair, his eyes red-rimmed, a cigarette burning between his fingers. The smoke curled around, slow and heavy, just as the heavy thoughts rested upon his mind.He had stuffed the present—which was Ruby's favorite plush toy, a hand-carved music box, and a name-engraved necklace alongside Clara's. He wasn't trying to bribe her. He wasn't trying to purchase her back from him with gold coins. He just wanted them to realize that he still didn't forget them—never. That he hadn't re
Sunlight streaming in through the drapes gently illuminated the room where Clara sat beside Ruby. Her daughter's fever had finally subsided after a sleepless, endless night, but a thin strand of unease still nestled in Clara's breast. She combed Ruby's hair gently, her shaking fingers lined with weariness.A gentle knock on the door."Clara," Diana replied. "There is a man at the gate. He claims he is here making a delivery to you."Clara stood up from her chair, scowling in distrust. "A delivery? Who from?"Diana shrugged. "He wouldn't tell me. But he did leave his name… Steven."Clara's heart constricted.Steven.She stayed there not wanting to disturb Ruby and departed. Standing outside was a tall, dominating man in an overcoat made of black cloth, sunglasses hiding his face although it was early morning. Next to him stood a black automobile. Clara was not familiar with him, yet the cold calculated look brought so forcefully back Steven's world."You are Clara," the man said courte






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