To Me, Love Means Making Money

Aurora Brooks POV

One step back. A thousand steps forward. What am I even waiting for before I throw myself off the highest room that crowns our roof?

What could I get besides a shattered body if I fail to reach the death I want? A few broken bones at best. And my father would not hesitate for a second to throw me out into the street. Or maybe send me to some care center if his heart softens a little.

That is the most he could ever do for me. And honestly, the first option is far more likely.

I lifted my head to the sky. The salty air from the shore brushed against my face, light but cold, pushing me to hold on to what little patience I still had.

The daughter of a drunk.

A cheating, gambling addict.

The daughter of a man who keeps pushing me toward hell for money, even if that means selling my own body.

A greedy father. A disgrace to the word man.

A bastard?

Maybe.

I opened my eyes and looked at the wide stretch of sea not far from our house. From the roof, I can see it clearly. I breathe its clean air. I watch its calm waves crawl slowly toward the golden sand.

Ships dance on its surface far away. They look free. Happy.

And me?

I am still dancing on the strings of pain.

That is why I envy them.

Only a few moments passed before I heard movement below me. A familiar scent slipped into my breath before I even turned.

"Aurora."

Ivy stood downstairs, her long black hair falling over her shoulders, her eyes filled with worry as she looked up at me.

"Yes, Ivy. I lost track of time up here."

I sighed with a faint smile and moved toward the wooden ladder that led back inside. I was not done staring at the sea. But it was not going anywhere.

"Did that lunatic come back?"

As I placed my foot on the first step, she answered in a sad voice.

"Not yet. Mom waited for him all night. He never showed up."

I jumped lightly from the last step, my voice trembling.

"He is probably passed out in some bar. Last time I dragged him out of one, he thanked me by throwing up all over my clothes."

Ivy stepped closer, her eyes full of sympathy.

"That was a terrible night. I will never forget it."

She held my hand, sending a quiet warmth through my fingers. But my body still flinched as it remembered the punches.

"And I will never forget what you go through for us."

She threw herself against my chest and hugged me tightly. I closed my eyes.

"I can endure anything for you and Amelia, little one. Even if he throws me into fire, I will still endure it."

She whispered near my neck.

"Every time he raises his hand against you, I wish I were a man so I could defend you."

That was always her wish whenever our father Daniel locked us in the downstairs room so he could unleash his cruelty away from the neighbors' eyes.

"But I cannot do anything. I feel like such a coward."

Her eyes filled with tears, and I quickly wiped them away.

"You are my little hero, Ivy. You are not a coward. No one can stand against that monster."

She bit her lip in anger.

"I wish death on him. And on every man who calls himself a father when he cannot even raise a stray dog."

She stepped back a little and held my face between her hands.

"But I will make it up to you soon. I will get you, Mom, and Amelia out of this swamp."

I raised an eyebrow.

"What exactly do you mean, Ivy?"

A sudden guess flashed through my mind.

"Wait. Do you mean that boy..."

She cut me off with shining eyes.

"Yes. Ethan talked to me a few minutes ago."

She brushed her hair back and continued with excitement.

"He wants our families to meet. A formal meeting. And he will bring his father."

My expression stiffened.

What if that meeting goes badly?

"Ivy, that boy is not from our world. His family is rich. What would people like them want with people like us?"

Her smile faded.

"But we love each other. Truly."

Her voice shook.

"Ethan loves me. And do not forget he helped us with money many times. Marrying someone else would feel like a living nightmare to me."

My heart softened, even though I have never known love myself.

But I know how cruel it can be.

Our father is not someone anyone would be proud of. Even if Ethan loves her, would his family? Would they accept our broken family and our rotten reputation?

"I am not doubting a single word you say, Ivy. But you need to think carefully about what you might be stepping into."

I picked up the ladder and laid it flat on the ground so Amelia would not climb to the roof and fall while playing.

"In any case, I will always support you. Ethan seems like a decent man. Even though I only met him once."

I leaned closer with a teasing tone.

"When I caught you two near the university gate. Right when you were about to kiss."

Her eyes widened before she looked down, blushing.

"Oh my God. Do not remind me of that day. I thought I was going to die."

I tied my hair quickly.

"You were about to give your first kiss to someone you barely knew. You were so stupid, Ivy."

She threw herself onto the blanket lying on the floor.

"But I do not regret it. Because he already took it anyway. What about you? Have you fallen in love yet?"

I stepped closer to the mirror and studied my face.

I have some beauty.

Just not much luck in life.

"I do not fall in love. Because love, to me, means making money."

She shouted while playing with her phone.

"Father really turned your heart into stone, Aurora."

He did not just strip away my emotions.

He buried the small spark of love that had been growing inside me since childhood.

A person becomes a child of their environment.

And I am the daughter of this environment.

The daughter of the night and its endless sighs.

My gaze sharpened as I stared at myself in the mirror.

"Where there is money… that is where I will be."