chapter 6

Whole ride was quiet or I said I sat quietly. Ron talked with me for some minutes but when I gave him no reply he knew that I zoned out like always.

My mind drifted to those memories when one day Ryder brother came home drunk and slapped me without any reason. We were in the living room and I was shocked by the sudden action. It's been a month since our parents' death. Hanna came and saw us and held his hand not to stop him but picked the bottle of alcohol from his hands. "Why did you slap me"? I asked in a mere whisper. My body is shaking badly but I keep standing there. "Because you are the reason for our sadness. You are the reason I'm not rich, you are the reason I have no child. You are the reason for our grief." He shouted at me and held my arm in his tight grip I hiss in pain standing there feeling numb. How my own brother said these words to me. I am not the reason behind their grief, it's they themselves.

Their greed and their own sin did this to them. I'm not at fault. I'm hurt, I'm in pain not only physically but apart from all of these their words gave me immense pain.

"But you have to pay for it now by marrying my friend who will give me lots of money in exchange for you."

I looked at him in disbelief, only greed I all saw. How my own brother who was supposed to protect me from the evil world told me about selling me to someone for money.

Anger built up in me, my mind blurred with the black fog making my breathing uneven. This is not true. I know he is always not so happy with us but I believe in our upbringing. How he told me this easily doesn't make his heart ache uttering these words. I know that friend of his.He is a forty year old man, addicted to drugs and alcohol. He has some police cases on his head like attempted to murder, accident, robbery and selling drugs.

"I am not marrying anyone" I declared and get a second slap from Hanna.

She held my hairs in her tight grip from my scalp "shut up and do as we say. You don't have any option" She released me with a force that I fell to the floor.

They looked at me with disgusted eyes so much hatred for me for his own sister. They declared my wedding and went to their room. I got up and went into my room, shut the door and sat against it. The fog around my mind getting more intense makes my breathing get more uneven. I rubbed my chest to ease that pain but no help. I cried for so many hours cursing every second of my life. I think I was born with this pain. It's so many years of my lifeless life that I forget about how to be happy from the bottom of my heart. My whole life revolves around the insecurities, pain, hate, and anxiety that I forget every other feeling. The panic attack drifted me. I tried everything to ease the pain to make the fog less intense but no help.

I messaged my sister and told her about the wedding thing and she replied that they both will come the next morning and talk to Ryder. This makes me feel some better tears still rolling from my eyes and I sleep there hugging my knees.

I came back to reality when Ron pulled out the break and we stopped in the college parking lot where Sam and Lily both were already waiting for us. We greeted each other and I changed my facial expression because if they saw me zoned out they would tense and ask me about all the reasons and I'm not in the mood to answer their questions so I tried to compose myself and went towards the class. It was a normal day but I feel something is not right in my surroundings or it is only my instincts.

Aiden's pov

Elsa was the only thing I saw in my dreams. I never believed in dreams which I saw with closed eyes but this time I wanted to believe it. I don't know what I call these feelings but she is hard to ignore. Her eyes, her smile, her everything feel so good and pure.

I got up from bed and did my gym and then got ready for the office. I took my gun, purse, and office bag. I do everything in a hurry because I have to go to see her. Her college time and my office time are the same. I went downstairs and saw my family sitting on the dining table for breakfast before I could say something or deny it. Mom called me.

"Aiden, come eat your breakfast you didn't eat anything from last night" She said in concern. She knows me well I ate last night but only little I didn't feel having dinner so I skip that.

"Come Aiden" Grandpa also called me now I have to go.

So I went there and sat on my chair and had my breakfast in complete silence. Aaron and Alex having their conversation or I say they pull each other's leg but I was reluctant to listen to it and focus on eating so I can go to her.

"Aiden, so what's your decision?" Mom asked me with so much hope in her eyes. I have my answer but I can't be selfish here. I want to confirm my decision so there will be no problems in future for both of us.

"Mom, just give me some time, I'll think about it" I said trying to make it normal but my overreacting Mom made everything worse.

"Hmm, just tell me you will say yes and I'll keep quiet" Mom told me still trying to get my answer.

"Cynthia give him some time, it's his decision we can't do anything." Grandpa said to her, helping me to avoid this situation.

"OK ok but not taking so much time ok. I have to prepare everything for your wedding" Mom said in so much enthusiasm everyone laughed at her antics. I just hummed and checked the time I'm getting late.

I stood and said everyone bye and headed outside. Guards stand outside the Mansion near cars waiting for me. I sat in my car and sped up to Elsa's house. When I reached there I thought that I missed her today but for my luck she's also running late today.