Chapter 3: Obedience Will Get You Killed

SARIAN POV

"Mama!" I panted as I held her face with my shaky hand. Her breath was faint.

My thoughts were all over the place. She was just fine earlier.

"Mama, c'mon, open your eyes." I patted her arm. Tears clouded my eyes.

I shook my head. No, this won't do.

Hurriedly, I ran out, heading to the main house to beg for help.

As long as she was willing to help me, I would be a slave for her, and if she refused, I'd turn to Marcus.

He wants my body, right? Fine.

I pushed the door open. Anastasia and Marcus sat across each other, sipping wine and chuckling about something.

I rushed towards them and fell on my knees, my hands clasped together. Tears streaming down.

"Please help my mother. She's in critical condition. I'll do anything you want," I begged with a cracked voice.

Anastasia stared at me as if I had gone insane. And then, burst into laughter.

"Don't you get tired of these same lines? Change your script. It's outdated," she scoffed.

"If you want to extort money from us, the least you could do is to be creative," she rolled her eyes.

My shoulders slumped. How long does she want to keep this up?

"Help me!" I screamed, clutching onto my hair.

Anastasia stared at me dumbfounded.

"You said you'd do anything, right?" Marcus suddenly asked for the first time since I got here.

I opened my mouth to talk, but the words got stuck, so I just nodded.

He rubbed his palms. His lips tugged into a sly smirk. "Perfect. So before I agree to help, you obviously know what I want..."

"Just stop," Anastasia cut in. "What could this wretched girl, who couldn't help her mother, possibly give you?"

"I mean..." Marcus continued.

"I don't want to hear it. I would never let anyone waste their money unnecessarily. Your mother is old, so what's with the fuss?"

I balled my hands into fists and glared at her.

She sprang up. "How dare you look at me like that?" She hissed and slapped me so hard that my lip burst.

"Shhhh,” Marcus stood up and closed Anastasia's mouth, looking upstairs suspiciously.

I took a deep breath and sniffled. Without a word, I walked out and went back to the room.

Just like I carried Mama earlier, I repeated the same method and walked to the gate.

Her pulse had weakened. How do I get a doctor for her?

My hold was firm. I took measured but shaky steps. My world was crumbling before me.

We got to the main compound. I heard Anastasia grumbling behind.

"Babe!" Her voice rang out, but I continued walking.

Killian may have helped me before, but that doesn't mean he will again. Besides, Anastasia would keep to her vow.

“Sarian.” His voice stopped me mid-step.

Not loud. Not angry. Just… final.

I turned slowly but still staggered a bit.

Killian’s gaze moved from my face to my mother’s limp body, then back to me. Something dark flashed through his eyes.

“Give her to me.” He demanded.

I tightened my grip instinctively. “I… I can manage. Thank you.” I muttered.

Hopefully, Mama doesn't die on me.

Anastasia scoffed. “You heard her, babe…”

Killian raised one hand. His eyes fixed on me.

She fell silent instantly.

“If you want to lose your mother, I have no problem with that.” He said calmly. His eyes locked on mine.

My breath shattered. Was that his way of making me feel better?

“Do you?” He raised a brow.

I gulped and shook my head violently.

“Then listen.”

He took my mother from my arms with terrifying ease and turned away.

I stood rooted and watched his retreating figure. A minute later, his black Ferrari stopped beside me.

“Get in the car,” he said.

It wasn’t a suggestion.

It was an order. One I dared not disobey.

The car zoomed off, and I grasped the hem of my dress as I occasionally glanced at Mama at the back.

Butterflies filled my stomach. I bit my inner cheek and looked at him from the corner of my eye.

Killian held the steering with one hand and picked up his phone and dialed a number.

The person answered the call almost immediately.

"Good day, Mr Killian.”

"Are you at the hospital?"

"Uhm, no. I have a night shift," the other person replied.

Killian pinched the bridge of his nose. "There's an emergency. Be at the hospital before I get there.”

"But..."

Killian ended the call before the man could finish talking.

Just like Marcus, does he want my body? I've learnt the hard way. Everything has a price.

My stomach churned. I looked out of the window and blinked back my tears.

If that would be the price for my mother's life, I'd gladly pay it. "Tha... Thank you," I whispered in a low voice.

"I warned you. Obedience would get you killed," he said.

I chuckled lightly. "Maybe. But helplessness would kill me faster."

There was silence for a while before he mumbled, but loud enough for me to hear. "I won't let that happen."

Why would he say that? My gaze shifted to him, but his attention was focused on driving.

Not only did he defy his girlfriend for me. Now he was making promises that I shouldn't be worried about, but I am.

We got to the hospital, and he drove to the VIP garage. 

My heartbeat quickened. It wasn't just any hospital but the famous Miller MacPherson Hospital.

How will I pay the hospital bills? Yes, I want to save Mama, but this was beyond my capacity.

"What are you waiting for? Get down," he urged and stepped out.

I heard Killian talking to a doctor, but their voices faded into the background.

The passenger door opened, and he gestured for me to get out. "You don't have to worry about the money. Focus on your mother.”

I let out a shaky breath and nodded. This was the help I prayed for. I shouldn't reject it.

As we walked, someone suddenly gasped as he saw us - I meant Killian.

It was a wealthy old man alongside a guy who was a younger version of him.

"Mr. Cape..." He bowed slightly but snapped his mouth shut as he locked eyes with Killian.

Immediately, he hung his head low and shifted uncomfortably.

"Mario," Killian called in a deep voice. His head held high.

The man licked his lips and wiped the sweat on his forehead with the sleeve of his shirt.

"Go ahead, Sarian," Killian said without sparing me a glance.

"Sure," I replied and walked in.

Why would a rich man, old enough to be Killian's dad, bow to him? And was that fear I saw in the man's eyes?

I knew Killian wasn't an ordinary man, but who exactly is he?