4. Humiliation

D A I S Y

Love is an illusion, they say.

And I wholeheartedly agreed with the sentiment.

For if it hadn't been an illusion, how come this cruel man sitting before me had once appeared kind before my eyes?

It had already been an hour since I had been kneeling down and from the looks of it, he wasn't even close to satisfied yet.

My knees had already gone numb from staying in that position and I knew they would hurt for days.

"Sir?" Silas pushed open the door after knocking. His eyes looked over at me, surprise flashing in them before he quickly looked away pretending to not see me. To save me from the humiliation, I assume.

But of course, Elijah couldn't let that happen.

"I want to have all my meetings here today." He ordered curtly, his eyes momentarily meeting mine. I couldn't help but flinch back a little from the intensity of vengeance in them.

"Yes, sir." Silas nodded without any complaint and left the room.

Ten minutes later, Silas came back leading a small group of suited men behind him.

I looked away from their direction, the humiliation was already more than enough, I didn't need to see the obvious unease in their eyes.

I knew all these people. While being married to Elijah, I had to attend many galas and events with him, giving me the opportunity to get to know them.

"Mr.Darius, thank you for taking the time for this meeting." Elijah politely greeted, firmly shaking their hand.

They took a seat, proceeding to discuss a business deal. I had zoned out from their conversation and instead focused my attention on the blue sky outside the window.

I watched as the blue sky slowly turned dark before my eyes, realizing it had been more than four hours already since I came here.

"Get up." Elijah barked. I stood up with wobbly legs, almost losing my balance and falling face-first to the ground. Barely recovering my balance I approached his sitting figure when he ushered me close to him with a flick of his finger.

"How much do you need?"

"Ten million." I fidgeted with the chain in my neck, afraid he would change his mind after hearing the huge amount I was asking for, even though it was equivalent to loose change to him. "But I will pay it all back, I swear."

"Sign this." He slammed a bunch of papers on the mahogany table before him. "It says you will have to work as my PA for a minimum of six months in addition to paying back the whole amount by then." He explained when he saw me read the papers.

I studied the documents to find it was indeed an employee contract. But it was specifically designed for me with multiple unjust clauses.

For instance, I will have to listen to all his orders, regardless of the time and situation without any question. There were no off days, and working time was unreasonable as well. He held the liberty to call on me anytime he liked, be that midnight or at the break of dawn.

It was basically a modern slave contract. At least, the salary was high.

My hands hovered over the paper. I didn't want to sign off my life to him for the next six months. I didn't even want to have any contact with him after today.

"You can forget the money if you don't agree." He reminded me after noticing my hesitance. "Decide fast, I don't have the whole day."

I instantly made up my mind and my hand moved to sign my name at the bottom of the contract.

"What's her name?"

I looked up, shocked at his gentle tone.

"Emma," I responded, not missing a single emotion that flickered in his eyes. Shock, sadness, and longing.

"You start from tomorrow." He instructed. "Now get out from my sight." He spat out after handing me the check for ten million.

"Thank you." I could finally see the light at the end of the tunnel even if it was still a long way there.

Elijah ignored my gratefulness, once again barking for me to get out.

... ... ...

I made a small detour on my way home and paid the deposit in the hospital. I wanted the surgery to be done as fast as possible.

They scheduled it for later this week because apparently they still needed to prep Emma for it.

By the time, I reached the apartment, my legs refused to move any longer as pain shot through them.

It was already dark, and surprisingly enough even the house was enveloped in darkness.

I felt bad because the kids had to go to sleep without any proper dinner but I hoped Dr.Louis was considerate enough to at least order them some takeout before leaving.

I plopped down on the living room couch, the soft surface instantly lulling me to sleep until I felt something heavy crawl into my lap.

I didn't have to turn the lights on to know it was Ezra. He pressed his head against my chest and wrapped his small arms around my waist.

"Are you okay?" I asked in a soft voice, gently running my hand through his hair.

He shook his head, his hands around me getting tighter.

"Did you eat anything?" I inquired. He shook his head again and I felt my heart twisting at the confirmation.

Maybe I should have put them up for adoption.

They would be much happier without me, at least, they wouldn't have to starve then.

"Come on, let's get you something to eat." Carrying him to the kitchen, I placed Ezra on the kitchen aisle before turning the lights on.

I sighed when I realized I had forgotten to buy groceries and the only food available was cup noodles.

I seem to find a new way to mess up every single day.

"When did Emma fall asleep?" I asked, handing him the chopsticks and the hot cup noodles.

"Two hours," Ezra answered.

"What did you do today?" I continued to indulge him while eating my own dinner.

"We met our neighbours," Ezra mumbled quietly, I had to strain my ears to listen to him. "Mrs Maria has a dog named Pluto. She let us play with him."

"Sounds fun." I smiled. "Did you meet any kids your age?"

He mumbled something I couldn't hear so I just assumed he said no from the shaking of his head.

"Well, I got a new job." I shared. "I'm starting tomorrow. So I might not be home as much."

"You are never home, anyway." I was taken aback by his accusing tone.

At that moment, he looked and sounded so much like his father, that I couldn't help the hatred that flickered in my eyes.

Even though it was only a momentary slip before I composed myself again, Ezra still noticed it and looked away from me sadly.

"I'm sorry, sweetheart." I pulled him closer to me and thankfully he didn't resist. "You know I want to stay with you, too. But I don't have any option."

I had to juggle so many part-time jobs at the same time, that I was rarely home. Ensuring they had a roof over their head was way more important than giving them the love and attention they desperately needed.

Yet, a selfish part in me refused to give them up for adoption, denying them the chance to have a good life.

"Mom?"

"Yeah, baby?"

"I love you."

And just like that, keeping them to myself didn't feel like a bad decision.

At all.

Because if I had them, everything will be okay.

And we would go through all odds life throws at us. Together.