Chapter 4: The Price of Blood

Natalia’s taunts had become background noise, and Isadora’s cold stares barely registered anymore. But the ache in my chest never left. Every time I passed my bedroom door, I remembered Ethan and Natalia. Every time Father smiled at me, I clung to that small comfort.

The next morning, I was in the kitchen helping Evelyn prepare lunch when Father’s voice echoed down the hallway.

“Aurora. Come to my study. Now.”

My stomach twisted. He rarely summoned me like that. Evelyn glanced at me, her eyes tight with worry, but she only gave my hand a quick squeeze before I left.

I wiped my hands on my apron and walked to the study, heart pounding. The door was already open. Father sat behind his desk, looking every bit the successful businessman. Isadora stood by the window, arms crossed, her expression unreadable.

“Close the door, sweetheart,” Father said, his voice gentle.

I did as he asked and stood awkwardly in front of the desk, hands clasped in front of me.

He sighed heavily, rubbing his temples. “Rory, I wish I didn’t have to burden you with this. But things have gotten… very bad.”

“Bad how?” I asked, my voice small.

“The company is bankrupt,” he said flatly. “Creditors are calling in debts. We’re weeks away from losing everything, the house, the cars, the lifestyle we’ve built. Everything.”

The words hit like a punch to the gut. I stared at him, trying to process it. The Sinclair family business had always been our security. Even when everything else fell apart, the money was there.

“How?” I whispered. “I thought things were stable.”

Isadora let out a sharp laugh. “Stable? Your little boyfriend helped drain what was left. But that’s not the point anymore.”

Father shot her a warning look before turning back to me. His eyes softened, the same caring expression he’d worn since I was a child. He stood up and came around the desk, placing his hands on my shoulders.

“We have one way out, Rory. A merger. A marriage alliance with the Draven family. Lucian Draven has agreed to marry into the family and give enough capital to save us. But… it has to be you.”

“Me?” My knees felt weak. “Why me?”

“Because the Dravens specifically requested the eldest daughter,” Isadora cut in coldly. “And Natalia is not sacrificing her future for this mess.”

Father squeezed my shoulders gently. “I know this is unfair, sweetheart. You’ve already been through so much with Ethan. But this family needs you. I need you. After everything I’ve done to raise you since your mother passed… I’m asking you to help us. To help me.”

The guilt landed exactly where he aimed it. I looked at the man who had tucked me in at night, who had called me his daughter even when Isadora pulled away. His eyes were pleading now, full of that familiar fake warmth.

“I… I don’t even know Lucian Draven,” I stammered. “Everyone says he’s ruthless. Cruel. Why would he want me?”

“He doesn’t have to want you,” Isadora said. “It’s business. You’ll marry him, the money comes in, and we survive. Simple.”

Father ignored her and kept his focus on me. “Rory, please. I wouldn’t ask if there was another way. You’re strong. You’ve always been strong. Say yes, and I promise I’ll make sure you’re taken care of.”

I felt trapped. Cornered. My mind raced for any escape, but there was none. No money of my own. No place to go. Only Evelyn’s quiet support and Father’s pleading eyes.

Before I could answer, Isadora spoke again. “Besides, it’s not like you have an inheritance to lose anymore. Everything that was supposed to be yours now belongs to Natalia.”

The words didn’t make sense at first. “What are you talking about?”

Father’s face shifted, a flash of something I couldn’t read before the loving mask returned. “Aurora, I had no idea about this until recently. Isadora told me you willingly signed the transfer papers months ago. Giving your share of the inheritance to Natalia.”

My blood ran cold. “I… what? No. I never…”

The memory slammed into me like a wave.

Three months ago.

Ethan and I were in the garden, sitting on the bench. He had his arm around me, kissing my temple the way he always did when he wanted something.

“Baby, it’s just some paperwork for the family trust,” he said, sliding a thick envelope toward me. “Your dad asked me to help organize things. It protects your assets. Sign here and here. I already read it all, it’s standard stuff.”

I hesitated, pen hovering. “Are you sure? I don’t really understand legal things.”

He smiled that charming smile that always made me melt. “Trust me, Rory. I’d never let anything bad happen to you. This keeps everything safe for our future. You and me against the world, right?”

I signed. Page after page. Without reading a single line. Because I loved him. Because he made me feel safe.

The memory faded, leaving me dizzy. I stared at Father, my voice shaking. “Ethan gave me papers. He said it was for the family trust. He said it was to protect me. I trusted him.”

Isadora smirked. “Of course you did. Stupid girl.”

Father’s expression turned sorrowful. He pulled me into a hug, rubbing my back the way he did when I was little. “I had no idea, sweetheart. Isadora handled the paperwork side. She told me you agreed to transfer your portion to Natalia to help the family. If I had known Ethan was manipulating you… I would have stopped it. You know that, don’t you?”

His arms felt warm. Safe. For a moment, I wanted to believe him. Wanted to believe that the man who once carried me on his shoulders wasn’t part of this.

“I didn’t know,” I whispered against his chest. “I thought… I thought it was nothing.”

He pulled back, cupping my face in his hands. “This is why you need to do this for us now, Rory. Marry Lucian. Save what’s left. Prove to everyone that you’re still part of this family. My daughter.”

The word “daughter” hit hard. I searched his eyes for any sign of deceit, but all I saw was the same loving eyes he’d worn for years. Isadora watched us with cold satisfaction.

Evelyn appeared in the doorway then, as if sensing the storm. She carried a tray with water and didn’t say a word, but her eyes met mine, a silent message of support.

“I need time to think,” I said finally, stepping back from Father’s embrace.

“There’s no time,” Isadora snapped. “The Dravens want an answer by tomorrow.”

Father gave me one last pleading look. “Please, Aurora. For me.”

I nodded numbly, unable to speak anymore. I turned and left the study. Evelyn followed quietly behind me.

In my room, I sank onto the bed, staring at my hands. The same hands that had signed my future away because I trusted the wrong person. Father’s words echoed in my head.

Evelyn closed the door softly and sat beside me. “What did they say?”

I told her everything. The bankruptcy. The marriage demand. The way Father had looked at me like I was still his little girl.

She listened without interrupting, her face tight. When I finished, she took my hands in hers.

“You don’t have to decide alone,” she whispered. “But whatever you choose… I’ll be here. And sometimes, getting away from this house might be the best thing that ever happens to you.”

I leaned against her, tears falling. The weight of everything pressed down on me, the cheating, the daily cruelty, the lost inheritance, the forced marriage to a man I didn’t know. A ruthless stranger.

How much more was I supposed to endure?

I didn’t know if saying yes would save me or destroy me completely.

But as Evelyn held me, I realized I was running out of choices.

And the devil was waiting.