Forced To Marry The Cold Disabled Billionaire

LIANA DAKOTA

1,827 days. That’s how long I’ve been trapped in this basement. 1,827 days since my own father took everything from me. My child, my freedom, my sanity.

He took my baby girl before I could even see her face. I've tried to escape so many times—even if I could only catch a glimpse of her, but he's kept me chained to the bed. I attempted to pick the lock with hairpins and forks, but it was useless. I even tried to force my legs, but ended up with scars. If it weren't for my daughter and the thought of her being raised by that monster, I'd probably be dead by now. The only thing that was keeping me going was the memory of her cries after I conceived her. Whenever I feel like giving up, I think of those cries and how desperately she must be waiting for me. I wish I had held her close when I had the chance.

The door creaked open, and I sat up, alert. I expected Samantha, the housekeeper, but the figure at the door was bigger. The dim light hid their face, but I knew exactly who it was. My fingers instinctively tightened around the toothbrush I'd sharpened, its plastic edge now a jagged point, and I held it tightly in my hand. "You look like you've finally learned the lesson." My father, Raymond, said.

I didn't acknowledge what he said and just looked away. I used to cower in fear whenever he was around, but that was three years ago. Now, fear's been replaced with a burning hatred. I hate him so much that it consumes me, and I could easily imagine him as my first kill. He walked in slowly. I didn't move, not yet. I stared at the crack in the cement wall, counting my heartbeats.

“One day you’ll thank me for what I’ve done,” he said, voice dry like dust.

“You killed me,” Mentally and emotionally, but I won't let him kill me physically. “There’s nothing to thank you for.” He stopped in front of me and I could smell the stench of old whiskey on him.

“You’re just like your mother,” he muttered. “Weak and stupid. That’s why she’s six feet in the ground."

That was when I snapped.

I launched forward, jamming the toothbrush into his thigh with force. 

"Where is my daughter?" I bit out, still holding onto the brush.

"You bitch!" His palm landed on my cheek so fast I didn’t even see it coming. My head snapped to the side, and I landed hard on the bed. The pain stung, but I didn't cry. He grabbed my hair and pulled me up by it, making me face him.

“You try something like that again,” he said through his teeth, “and I’ll get rid of you. Just like that. And I’ll do the same to your daughter.” My whole body went cold, and my hands started shaking.

“Don’t you dare lay a finger on her!” I yelled.

“Then behave.”

He released me and reached down, pulling the toothbrush out of his leg, blood-stained on it. 

“What do you want from me?” I asked, my voice low.

“What I want is simple, you must marry Logan Grey,” he said. "Business purposes. Just do what you're told. I’ll handle the rest.”

I blinked. No. That sounded worse than being locked in here. He tossed the phone he held at me. My eyes locked on his, expecting some sort of explanation. I slowly looked down at the screen. It was a picture—a little girl with long blonde curls, her eyes were big and whiskey-colored. Those eyes...they reminded me of someone I despised. 

Her smile was wide and full of tiny teeth, one missing right in the front. Wait—Blonde curls just like mine, whiskey eyes just like his. She's...Emery? Tears filled my eyes. 

There was no doubt that she wasn't mine. She was more beautiful than I ever imagined. My eyes caught it, on her right arm was a small birthmark. A star, faint but clear just like...him.

"Emery…" I sobbed, pressing the phone to my chest.

“If you don't marry Logan Grey,” Raymond said, "she'll disappear."

I dropped to my knees on the bed, tears streaming down my face.  “Please…don’t hurt her.”

“Then do what I tell you to so”

“I’ll do it,” I whispered.

"Good choice." He forcefully took the phone from me. "We will be seeing his family in two days."

He headed for the door to leave but stopped when he got closer.

"One advice, Liana, emotions don't win wars." He said and left.

I knew he wouldn’t just hand my daughter over after I did what he wanted. I've known him too long to believe that. He just wanted to use me. He had probably already decided what to do with us in the end.

I will do what he wants for now so I can leave this basement.

I wasn't doing it for him. 

I was doing it for her.

For that little girl with the star-shaped proof on her arm that she belonged to me.

No matter what it takes, I will get her back. And once I do, we will disappear to where no one knows us.

But for now...I will marry Logan Grey. Whoever that is.