Chapter 4

Ella POV

I stared at the door as the man walked through it.

Then turned to my father.

“What is going on?” I asked, hoping everything was just a joke. “What 5 million ?5 million? What did you use that kind of money for?” I stepped closer. “That is your business. But why am I the bargaining chip?”

My father pressed his fingers to his forehead, his eyes closed. “Ella, please. Try to understand. I am going through something right now. Can you calm down. Atleast try to help?”

“Help you.”I chuckled, dropping the cup on the table. “Was I there when you collected that money? Did we spend it together?”

I shook my head. “Don’t drag me into your shady business.”

“You do not speak to me like that.” His eyes snapped open, voice hardening. “I am your father. This shady business, as you call it, is what I used to raise you and your brother. So be grateful.”

I felt my chest emptied.

“It would have been better if you had thrown me into the street.” My voice rose. “That would have been better than staying in this cage and now being sold to pay your debt. Five million dollars?” I stepped back. “FIVE MILLION?”

“Whether you like it or not, you will do as I say.” He moved toward his chair and sat down like he never cared. “You are going to marry him.”

“You cannot force me to do what I don’t want to do.” I retorted as my hands shook from the pent up anger. “Just like you did with Mom.”

Something flickered across his face.

“Ella. This is my business. My company. Can you think about something beyond yourself for once? You heard him, three days. After that I lose everything.”

“I don’t care.”I said with a neutral expression. “Remove me from your dirty business.” I turned and head up the stairs.

“If you refuse” he replied, calm and unhurried, “I will use your brother instead.”

My foot froze on the step.

“He’s young and pretty useful.” pause. “At least I can get a good price for him.”

I felt a sudden pang on my chest but didn’t turn around.

“What do you say Ella? We can work this out together and get him back later.” My father’s voice carried hope in it, which disgusted me.

I had no reply.

I kept walking up the stairs, stepped into my room and locked the door behind me. The darkness swallowed me immediately, four walls that had never felt like anything other than a cell dressed in furniture.

I moved to the window and stood there.

He wants to sell Aaron. His own son. For money.

The tears came slowly, sliding down slowly like they could feel my predicament. I pressed my palm flat against the cold glass.

I have been managing this for years. Swallowing it. Holding myself from making a decision I would regret, but I can’t take it anymore.

Something snapped.

I turned from the window and let it out, shelf cleared in one sweep, study table scattered, clothes pulled from the wardrobe in fistfuls.

My knuckles caught the edge of something sharp and I felt the sting which gave me another reason to let out more frustration.

A normal girl my age would be in university right now.

I laughed at that. It came out dry.

As the last hoodie hit the floor a small envelope slipped out from the folds, pale and worn at the edges like it had been there for years. I stared at it.

I didn’t remember this being here.

I picked it up slowly, turned it over in my bleeding hands and decided to open it.

Ella,

If you are reading this, then things have gone further than I prayed they would.

I need you to know that leaving was the hardest decision I had taken. Not because of the house or your father, but because of you and Aaron. Every single day I have carried that with me. But I could not stay anymore. Not after what I found.

Your father is not who he is. The business, the money, the people, none of it is clean. I discovered things, Ella. Documents. Transactions. Dealings with people whose are feared everywhere. I tried to confront him and that was my mistake. Be careful Ella, Don’t go far with him in conversations.

But before I left I made sure to keep something safe.

In the house, behind the last panel of the bookshelf in the study, the one that never fully closes, there is a brown envelope.

Everything is inside. Every transaction. Every secret he has spent years burying.

I kept it because I knew one day he would go far with his actions.

Use it wisely my love. Not out of anger but out of strategy. You were always the smartest person in that house. Smarter than him.

Protect Aaron. Protect yourself. And know that I never stopped loving you.

Mom

I stared at the letter as my mind spiraled. I stumbled back slightly.

I always thought my mother never cared about me and Aaron. I guess I was wrong about her. I owe her an apology if I ever see her again.

I took the letter and slid it carefully under my mattress. I hadn’t seen Aaron since the park. I walked out of my room and headed down the hallway toward his room, my father had deliberately placed his room far from mine, convinced I was a bad influence.

Senseless.

But he owned the house. I just dwelled in it.

I reached Aaron’s door and knocked gently.

“Aaron.”

“Ella!” I heard his footsteps before the door swung open. He pulled me into a hug before I could say another word.

Then he pulled back and started scanning me from head to toe, the way he always did if me and dad had serious argument.

“Dad didn’t hit you did he?” His eyes dropped to my hand. “Ella your hand…”

“I’m fine.” I said quickly. “Just need a little cleaning. That’s all.”

“This is my fault.” His voice cracked slightly, tears gathering at the corners of his eyes. “I wanted to go to the park and now you’re hurt. I’m sorry.”

“Hey.” I tilted his chin up. “I wanted to take you.

And this” I held up my hand, “has nothing to do with Dad. I bruised myself arranging my room. See?” I flexed my fingers slowly. “Not even painful.”

He didn’t look convinced but he turned toward the first aid kit fixed on the wall.

“Let me clean it.” He said seriously.

“Ooh.” I gasped dramatically. “My brother is now a man who tends to women.”

“Stop” he laughed, swatting my arm as I reached over to tickle him. “Stop it Ella”

“Say sorry for worrying”

“Stop” He dissolved into laughter, twisting away from my hands.

The hallway outside his door suddenly thundered.

“Ella. Come out this minute.”

Aaron’s laughter died. His face folded into a frown. “Is Dad still angry?”

“No I don’t think so.” I kissed his forehead quickly. “Give me a sec. I’ll be right back.”

I stepped out into the hallway.

My father stood at the bottom of the stairs, his phone in his hand, his expression unreadable.

“He just called.” He said flatly. “Not three days anymore.”

I stared at him.

“Twenty four hours.”