2. Caught

SADIE

He calls back.

Terror had filled me. My brother shot me a murderous glare as he talked to him over the phone. I just wished this call would be calling off the wedding then we could both live our merry lives. But as I stared back at my brother, his expression even cowered down. So, the wedding was still on the go. Kill me now.

It was my third attempt to escape, but my father’s lackeys had done a pretty bang-up job keeping me in this horrible mansion since our engagement was official with a freaking twenty-five million dollars.

My fiance was a private person despite being a self-made billionaire. He was known to be a whale on Wall Street. I was curious to look for him online, but I might not going to like what I would find out. If Jasper was right, his brother, Cas did all the public appearances since he was the expert in cryptography—he was the face of the decentralized digital currency called Centhaddeus or known as CENTH by the Crypto marketers.

My heart had been beating a million a mile since Jasper caught me sneaking out through the window. My friend, Zhuri was waiting outside the gate. Jasper just threatened her if she helped me escape again.

Two days ago, it was my second attempt. My father caught me and hit me hard. My mouth bled out, and my face was bruised. Even a thick foundation couldn’t conceal. Then Jasper, not a few minutes ago, slapped me, causing my already bruised cheek to throb. 

This wasn’t the first time, even when I was a kid. If I made a mistake, either of them would hit me to teach me lessons, which I learned something—to be tough. If I didn’t, I might have gone crazy or ended up like my late mother. Dead.

Sure, this arrangement or business deal was a massive boost to my father’s business, but as a girl or the only woman in my family, I was a waste of their breaths. My family was known to be patriarchal. When my mother chose to follow her passion, my father kicked her to the curb. Even if they were not divorced, he started having mistresses, even as young as my age.

This marriage would be my freedom, at first, because there was no way I could go out from this hell hole, away from the tyranny of my father, if not arranged to someone else, even of their choice. My father never believed in women’s independence. He believed women had only two roles—give them pleasures and bear children.

He was a class A douchebag sexist.

When Cenric asked for my hand, or should I say, bought me with twenty-five million dollars, my father did not think twice but to seal the deal. Yeah, I was just a thing, a property to them—easily sold and expendable.

I was supposed to be happy that I finally got away from my own family, but sad to say, my fiance didn’t have an interest in me, even as his sex slave, or leash me like his pet dog. He never showed up during our supposed to be an engagement party. His brother gave me a massive yellow diamond ring, which, if I may guess, was just a coincidence that yellow was one of my favorite colors—it reminded me of a sunrise, that each time the sun rose, there was always hope.

“Looks like he’s interested in you, after all.” My brother’s upper lip twitched, making my rage soar high.

“And you don’t wanna scratch his property, or you’ll pay back his money, which I know it’s gone to the thin air by now,” I taunted him. Now that he could not touch me physically, the deal was off.

“Shut the fuck up, bitch. In two days, you’d be gone, and my life would be grand without you in it. While you, on the other hand, are tied up in his basement for the rest of your life. Or you’ll be off the grid as if you never exist.”

I swallowed hard. Cenric Wollf’s reputation preceded him. He was known to be cold-blooded and cruel, and to him, everything was a business deal. He was known to be a man of a few words, but his words meant authority to his employees.

“Do you think he cares about you? You’re now his property. He can do whatever he wants. Do you think being here is the worse because you think you’re held against your will? Well, wait until your wedding day. You’ll see what kind of demon he is or what demons he possessed. And if what I heard is right, my father is nothing compared to his barbaric nature, and he also suffered from post-traumatic. Shit, isn’t it?” 

“You’re lying!” That was all I could say because, honestly, I was already terrified beyond compare the moment I found out I was to be betrothed to a man I knew nothing about. His name alone sent a shiver into my bones.

My asshole of a father still believed in the old-fashion way, especially when it involved power and wealth. And if he thought he could manipulate Cenric or me, damn hell, he was wrong. It was either I would be faithful to Cenric or myself. But never would I take their side ever again.

I was not their property anymore, remember? I was Wollf’s.

I watched my brother order Devin, one of his men, to double lock the windows before he went out. 

“Don’t worry, Devin. I will make this easy for you. I will just sleep for two days until my wedding. Then your job gets a lot easier.”

I went to bed and laid down, hoping no one would come to disturb me. I had no appetite to eat, and sure as hell, I would die of starvation after the wedding. 

I drew a deep breath when my eyes started to sting. Maybe a homeless was much better than a daughter of a tyrant like my father. At least they were free to do whatever they wanted.

I felt Devin had not left the room. When I turned in bed, he was staring outside the window. 

“What are you still doing in my room? I don’t think my future husband would appreciate you being here, invading my privacy.”

He sighed deeply. “I don’t appreciate your father and your brother laying their hands on you.”

I watched him, seemingly in deep thoughts. “Do tell.” I wanted to roll my eyes.

“Just have patience, Sadie.”

My brow arched. “Until my death.”

“Mr. Wollf is a good person.”

“You’re the only one who said that. Didn’t you hear my brother? Everything is just a business deal, and that’s all to them anyway. I bet no one would buy me for more than twenty-five million, so it’s his loss. My family can’t provide that amount anymore, and I’m sure they would not even spend a dollar for me, if in any case.”

“You should not believe in anything you heard from your father or brother, Sadie. They want money from Mr. Wollf, yes, and that’s all, but why would Mr.Wollf spend a penny for someone he didn’t even know, let alone millions?”

“I kept asking myself that.”

“There you go. You have your answer.” He turned towards the door and paused. “Do you need anything?”

“Why changed of heart?”

“I did not change. You just did not notice it.”

I shrugged. “I don’t want you to get into trouble.”

“As you said, you only have two days left here.”

“Fine. Can I borrow your phone? But promise me you won’t tell my brother.” I was still skeptical. Honestly, I had never spent a minute talking to Devin, let alone connive with him with my plan. I didn’t know if my brother was testing us, or for once, today was my lucky day.

He pulled out his phone from his suit jacket and offered it to me. 

I eyed him suspiciously. 

“Hurry up before he gets back.”

I grabbed his phone and quickly scanned the screen for the message icon. I started typing. I memorized his number, just in case my phone got confiscated by my oppressors, and I was right to do it.

Sorry about earlier. I promise I will be there. Just don’t lock me up in your basement. I promise to be a good property. SADIE

I hit the send button. Once it was sent successfully, I deleted my text and gave it back to Devin. 

I smiled warily. “Thanks.”

Before he could put back his phone into his pocket, that thing vibrated in his grasp.

“Mr. Cenric?”

I watched him freeze, swallow, and nod with yes, sir. What the hell is going on?

Devin then faced me, offering his phone. “He wants to talk to you.”

I shook my head violently. “No.” I swallowed hard. “I don’t wanna be in trouble.”

“You’d be in trouble if you keep him waiting.”

I stared at the phone as if it had turned into a slimy alien. I shivered.

“Sadie, he’s a busy man.”

“Okay.” My hand was shaking as I took the phone from him.

I pressed it to my ear before I cleared my throat. “Hello?”

“Are you okay?” His voice was deep, raspy, and calm, which was a good thing, right?

“Yeah. Why did you ask? I mean, call?”

“I just wanna make sure you’re alright?”

“Why do you care? You’re gonna lock me up in your dungeon in two days.”

“I don’t have a dungeon. Where’s the phone you used earlier?”

“It was a burner my friend bought for me, but it’s gone now. My brother broke it in half.” I blew a breath. Finally, I talked freely, and it was a relief that the scary beast Cenric was not yelling at me or throwing words at me to behave as property should be.

“If you wanna talk to your friend or someone or me, use Reece’s phone. Just make sure you won’t risk his job.”

“Why?”

“I don’t want you to try escaping again.”

“I mean, why are you talking to me now? After almost three years?” Asshole. Because of you, I’ve suffered a lot.

“I don’t want to get married.”