Asche unter Rosen

Arianna

A loud pounding on the door jolted me awake. My heart jumped into my throat. I sat up fast on my old bed, breathing hard. For a second, I thought it was just a bad dream. Then the banging came again.

“Open up!”

It was 4:15 in the morning. Who would be here at this hour?

Before I even stand, the door burst open with a violent crack.

“Ah!” I screamed.

Three men stormed inside. They wore black leather jackets and had mean, hard faces. My younger brother, Noah, stumbled out of his room, rubbing his eyes. “Arianna…?”

“Get back, Noah!” I shouted, I jumped in front of him, trying to shield him with my body.

One of the men smirked in a nasty way and cracked his knuckles. “Look at that, the brave little princess.”

My hands trembled as I held Noah behind me. “What do you want?” I asked, my voice cracking.

The tallest man stepped closer. “Your father owes us a lot of money.”

I clenched my jaw in anger. It was always Dad. I had spent years working three jobs, barely sleeping, just to keep us alive and pay off his gambling debts, yet it doesn’t end.

“He said he’d pay.” I whispered.

The man laughed wickedly. “Your father says a lot of things.” He grabbed the front of my shirt and yanked me forward. I trembled. I felt scared.

“He has two days.” The man growled.

Noah cried out, trying to pull the man off me, but another man shoved him hard against the wall.

 “Stop!” I screamed. “Don’t touch my brother.” My heart felt like it would break.

“Two days,” he repeated. “Or we come back for the boy.”  He let me go abruptly. I fell to the floor. The three of them laughed as they walked out.

Noah ran to me and hugged me tight. “Are you okay, Arianna?”

I hugged him back, fighting back tears. “I’m fine,” I lied. Inside I felt like I was drowning. The pressure was too much on me, it had always been, because no matter how much I pay back, my dad doesn’t stop gambling.

I knew exactly where to find Dad. The filthy gambling den downtown smelled of cigarettes and cheep liquor. He was sitting at a poker table, eyes bloodshot, shirt wrinkled, hands shaking as he threw down cards.

I curled my hand into fist. “Dad!” I called out, my voice full of anger.

He flinched when he saw me. I grabbed his arm and pulled him outside into the dark alley “What did you do this time?” I asked.

He avoided my eyes.

“How much do you owe?!” I shouted, tears burning in my eyes.

He shuddered. “Five hundred thousand dollars,” he whispered.

“What?” I stared at him, shocked. “Half a million?” A bitter laugh escaped me.  I might go crazy at this point. “We can’t even pay for food, Dad, How?”

His face fell. “I had no choice…”

I almost slapped him, but held back because he was my father. “No choice?”

He grabbed my wrist desperately. “But there’s a way out, Damian Liam. He will erase the debt.”

A cold shiver ran down my spine as the name hit me like ice water. Everyone knew Damian Liam, the ruthless billionaire tycoon rumored to have ties to the mafia.

I had no idea how he was related to the debt my father owes. I looked at my father with hope, but it died quickly. “In exchange for what?” I asked, already scared of the answer.

My father looked at the ground. “He wants you.”

My whole body instantly went numb.

Damian’s mansion was like a castle. It had tall gates, and stone walls. Guards watched me with cold eyes as I walked in. My cheep dress felt silly in such a rich place. My stomach twisted with fear.

A man in a black suit led me into a large room. Damian Liam stood by the tall window, looking out through it. He was tall, wearing a perfect black suit. His dark hair was neat, his jaw sharp, and his silver-grey eyes were icy when they finally looked at me.  

I lowered my gaze immediately, unable to hold his eyes. He was handsome in a scary way.

He slid a folder across the table. “Sign this.”

My fingers trembled as I opened it. It was titled ‘Marriage contract.’

I looked up at him, but his expression was utterly unreadable, I parted my lips to ask a question, but I couldn’t breathe a word.

It was this or my brother, my father put me in this position and I had no choice. With tears in my eyes, I signed the paper.

The wedding was held in secret that same day at Damian’s private estate. There were no guests, no flowers, not the ideal marriage I envision since I was a kid. Damian didn’t even look at me when he slides the ring onto my finger.

I whispered my vows with a shaking voice, and just like that, I belonged to the devil.

That night, I sat alone in a huge bedroom. The expensive sheet felt strange under my fingers. I stared at the ring on my finger and whispered to myself.

“I’m Mrs. Arianna Liam now.”

A smile, hopeful smile touched my lips. Maybe he wasn’t as cruel as people said. I had seen tiredness in his eyes. This big house must feel so empty. I could try to make this marriage real. I could be kind to him, and maybe win his heart.

Gathering my courage, I walked to his room. I left my room, The door was a little open, He stood by the window, pouring whiskey into a glass.

“Mr. Liam?” I said softly

He turned. His eyes grew dark and cold. “What do you want?”

“I just wanted to say… thank you,” I said, my voice nervous, “for helping my family.”

He set his glass down and walked toward me slowly. I stepped back until I hit the wall. My heart raced with fear.

His hand slammed beside my head, and I gasped. “You think I married you out of kindness?” he asked. His deep voice sent chills through me.

“I…no…I just…” I lowered my gaze, my knees weakened.

“Stop pretending to be innocent.” His voice was ice.

I shook my head. “I’m not pretending…”

Before I could explain, he kissed me hard, pushing me against the wall. I tried to pull away, but he was too strong. His hands tore at my nightgown.

I struggled. “Please…stop.” I gasped for breath when he released my mouth.

“Quiet.”

He picked me up, lifting me onto his bed. The pain was unbearable, I felt brutally humiliated as he took my virginity. Tears rolled down my face. I bit my lips so I wouldn’t cry out loud.

When it was over, he pulled away like I disgusted him. He fixed his clothes and walked out without a word, leaving me curled up and sobbing on the bed.

I cried for a long time, my body and heart ached. Then I heard a voice outside the door. He was on the phone. I strained my ears to catch the words.

“Yes, the doctor confirmed it.” he said coldly.  “She’s healthy enough to carry the heir.”

I froze. ‘Heir?’