Chapter 3

Leilani sat in the bathtub, the maids washing her up. Her gaze fixated on the ornate mirror, the warped reflection staring back at her. However, compared to her calm exterior, her eyes suddenly flashed with a sadist glint.

“Ah!” One of the maids yelped, clutching at her hand.

“Ma'am, you.. you scratched me.” She stammered.

Leilani's eyes swept past her to the door, then back to the bleeding hand. She had done it.. intentionally. The bloody maid was scrubbing her so hard that her entire complexion had now gone red.

Wouldn't it be unfair if she didn't return the same favour?

Feigning innocence, her eyes went teary. “Apologies. I didn't know.. I was confused.”

The maid bit her lip, looking aggrieved. Lei sneered inwardly. She’d lived with Lucas’ family for a long time, and she knew exactly how manipulative they were. How they could feign the utmost innocence, making you doubt your own judgement.

When she announced her pregnancy to them, she’d expected them to be excited, more excited, or.. show some love, at least.. no show some pity, to at least feign whatever emotion they had for a while, but instead.. Lexie, Lucas' youngest sister, vomited venoms.

“Pregnant? Ha! I'm certain Lucas doesn't own that child. You can't whore around and blame it on my brother!”

Whore around? The bitch should be saying that to her brother, the man whore! Even on the day... the day she’d miscarried, he'd gone out to fuck someone else. Bastard!

She snapped her eyes close, refusing to let a single tear drop. She had experienced enough mockery, and she was done with it .

She was in New york? Ha. That was a good thing!

After an hour and half, they were finally done dressing her up, and she was soon led outside, and into a Maybach.

Lei exhaled. That man, the assistant, yes, James, that was his name. He was really confident she would sign the contract. She'd been threatened her whole life, made a maid at her inlaw's.

She was intrigued to see what exactly he'd do to make her sign off her rights to a complete stranger.

Rolling into a large villa, the cold breeze hit her skin, and she scrunched her nose, her lashes lowering due to the cold impact.

“He’s waiting.” James spoke, getting down from the driver's seat.

Lei's breath hitched, her eyes sticking onto the sight before her. It was like she’d been brought into a different world entirely.

The villa was surprisingly large, oozing ancient beauty with modern aesthetics. The blend was making it difficult to exhale too. She subconsciously stepped out of the car, moving with slow strides.

Their were trees, grasses, flowers well trimmed and adorned. Different gardeners and maids scattered around tending to it like their lives depended on it. The more she went in, the more she thought she was hallucinating.

She'd never seen this much luxury before.

She’d never set her eyes on such an opulent villa too. Simplicity, luxury, hung in the air adding a rich touch to the villa's ambience.

“Ah..” She exhaled.

Then stepped into the villa, her gaze landing on the humongous chandelier hoisted up in the middle of the living room. If the one she saw at the previous location was luxurious, this was extravagant.

The chandelier casted a warm glow on the sofas, making them look plush and richer, a perfect blend of sophistication.

She was set admiring the entire view, unaware of the person seated on the sofa, his gaze fixed on the television.

The reporters throaty voice resounded as the volume had been increased.

[BREAKING NEWS: Lucas Verran has launched his first New York headquarters, marking a rapid expansion for the once-struggling millionaire entrepreneur!]

Lei's eyes snapped to the television. Lucas? It was Lucas! His business broke into New York? He extended his business to New York?

“Have you signed the documents?” An orphic masculine voice rang out. The depth of his voice vibrating through her core. Whoever sat on one of the plush sofas. His side profile is defined and attractive. He had dark hair, but his eyes.. she couldn't see his eyes.

He was ..Aaron?

“Who.. are you?” She asked. It hadn't been a minute, and her voice already barely made it out. Damn! She was trying so hard to control her voice.

Aaron's hands tightened around the remote as he glanced up, pausing the video, his gaze fixed on Lucas.

“My brother must have treated you.. awfully. That's oddly appealing.”

Like a buzzing alarm, Lei's ears ticked off. “Brother?” She asked. Her gaze flew to the television, which was now paused. Lucas was.. his..? ..impossible! Simply impossible!

Lucas’ eldest brother had died! He died in a car accident, his name was… Her eyes widened at the realization. “Aaron” She whispered, his name had been Aaron.

She took two steps backwards. Did that bastard know that he.. sold her to his own brother?

Her gaze fell onto the wheel chair stationed beside the sofa he lounged on. Was he crippled?

“You.. that's impossible, you died.”

Aaron sighed tiredly. He didn't even bother to spare her a glance.“ James. Is the contract I sent over signed yet?”

James stepped forward, lowering his head, and his eyes seemed to plead for forgiveness.

Lei immediately felt the shift in energy. James aura was a joke, a total joke compared to that of Aaron's.

“She refused.” James replied.

The room's temperature instantly dropped, and Aaron slowly turned to meet James’ gaze, a small smile tipping his thin lip. It was taunting.

“Give her the papers.”

“I won't sign it!” Lei barked, maintaining whatever composure of hers was left. Her heart-pounding, almost like a time bomb, ready to explode.

Aaron smiled. His smile, however, made little to no effort reaching his eyes. He relaxed his broad shoulders, placing his right hand onto the armrest.

“Miss Leilani, do you fancy watching movies?”

Lei creased her brows in confusion, her eyes darting from the television screen to the nonchalant man seated in front of her.

How can he be so calm ?

Aaron, noting her silence, deepened his smile. He lifted the remote, his finger pressing into a single button. “Wouldn't it be heartbreaking if Lady Stombourn died because of your stubbornness?”

Just then, a lady dressed in white appeared on the screen. Her hair was dishevelled, no better than her ghost pale skin. She had a tiny frame almost like she could break if gripped too hard. There were black cladded men surrounding her as they all whipped her hard.

Lei’s eyes widened. “Huh? Nadia?” That was.. that was Nadia, her friend, the only person that had been by her side during the hell she'd been through. Her heart sank deeply as her eyes welled up.

“Let her go! She isn't a part of this!” Lei yelled, tears threatening to pour down. Nadia was her last hope of escaping. Now she was captured, too.. because of her! What did she do to deserve all of this? What?

Aaron kept silent, seemingly enjoying her painful plea.

“What do you want? What do you want from me?” Lei asked, her knees thudding to the ground. Why was life hellbent on making hers hell?

Aaron finally craned his neck slightly in her direction, his smile tipping higher. “Sign the fuckin’ documents, amore.”