Switched at the Mafia Auction

~ Avelyn ~I’d gotten used to the cold. Not the kind that creeps through your skin, but the kind that settles into your bones. The kind that tells you, over and over, that this room? This life you desired. It was never meant for someone like you.My room sat at the far end of the estate, past the servant quarters but still below the family wing, as if even the walls didn’t want to associate with me. It didn’t have a heater, and winter wasn’t polite. I wore two sweaters to sleep and pressed my feet against the base of the lamp just to feel something close to warmth.So when the door slammed open without a single knock, I flinched.The maid Marcie or Maisie or whatever stood there, arms folded, eyes rolling like I was the burden she had to carry through life.“Your father wants you at dinner.”I blinked. “He… what?”She scoffed. “Don’t make me repeat myself.”And then she shut the door. Hard enough to rock the foundations of the basement.I just stood there, confused. In all my years

The moment he said it, the hall froze.“One hundred million.” His voice still rang in my ears. It was cold and final.No one dared raise another card. No one breathed.Even the auctioneer stuttered then cleared his throat, adjusting his collar like he was suddenly sweating through his suit.“I… believe the bid has been claimed.”A few murmurs stirred around me. Whispers from all directions. They weren’t curious this time, they were terrified.“Who the hell bids like that?”“It’s him. Has to be.”Some said “The Ghost.” Others said “The Reaper.”My chest clenched. I didn’t know what those names meant, but I saw it in their faces, those weren’t nicknames. They were warnings.And whoever he was, he just bought me.Two men in black suits walked down the aisle, their steps in sync. No emotion on their faces. Not even a smile or a greeting.They stopped in front of me, and one extended a hand.“Come quietly.”But I didn’t move and he didn’t repeat himself.They lifted me gently by the arm

~ Avelyn ~Sunlight filtered in through high arched windows. Pale gold. Too soft for where I expected to be.Was I… dead?No. Not with the pounding in my head. Not with the chill on my bare shoulders and the unfamiliar scent of vanilla and jasmine soaked into the sheets.I blinked.This wasn’t the dungeon my fear had painted. This was…A room.A massive, terrifyingly elegant room with marble floors, towering curtains, and a chandelier that looked like it cost more than my entire house growing up. The bed I was in could fit a whole basketball team. Maybe two. The walls weren’t walls, they were panels of expensive wallpaper and built-in wardrobes.And I was… lying in the middle of it.Fully dressed in that humiliating chiffon dress with the gold accessories still clinging to my arms and ankles like reminders. I sat up fast—dizzy. Disoriented.Then the door opened. Two women swept in like ghosts dressed in black and white. Uniforms. Maids.They didn’t look at me. They just moved like rob

~ Avelyn ~I didn’t sleep well.My eyes opened to the soft rustle of curtains dancing with the morning breeze, but there was no peace in it, just a constant reminder that I wasn’t in my room… that I didn’t have a room anymore.The events of last night weighed like lead in my chest. My nightgown stuck uncomfortably to my skin. I didn’t even remember falling asleep. One minute I was crying, the next I was unconscious. I lay there for a while, staring at the high, molded ceiling, wondering if crying in front of him counted as breaching the contract. The damn contract. My fingers twitched at the memory of signing it.There was no clause against crying… but it still felt like resistance. Or maybe weakness. Either way, I doubted Xander Sterling took kindly to either.After freshening up…if standing under a rainfall shower and hoping the water washed away shame counted as freshening up. I wrapped myself in my thoughts and took a look at my reflection. As expected, a hickey sat by neck to tau

~ Avelyn ~The maids weren’t joking when they said “master only sees the best.” Because why else would I be squeezed into a black laced dress just to have dinner.Frankly speaking, I doubt I’d do much eating with his goddamn corset twisting my intestines. I mean, this isn’t the medieval era for Christ sake!Still, I didn’t dare groan. On the outside I was as cool as a cucumber watching the kitchen staff set the table while I sat across from him. At the very least, this table wasn’t like the tea setting in the greenhouse. This was more elaborate, which meant farther distance from him. Great.Soon after the staffs disappeared, leaving me in the suffocating tension. I bet even my breathing could be heard. But he didn’t speak and began eating.The sound of cutlery against ceramic subtly reached my ears. But I couldn’t eat, and it wasn’t because of the dress, no, I fondled with my knife while I spiraled in my thoughts. I wanted to ask what they talked about. Kyle wasn’t gonna tell me,