Chapter 6. The Ultimatum

Aurelia's eyes widened in horror as she took in the scene before her. Ann, her innocent little sister, stood in the doorway, her eyes wide with fear. Baron's goons loomed behind her, their granite-like faces unyielding.

"Sign it, lamb," Baron whispered, his voice dripping with malice. "Sign it, or they'll pay the price."

Aurelia's heart raced with fear and anger. She knew she had to protect Ann at all costs. She looked down at the contract in front of her, her mind racing with options.

"Please, Baron," she begged, her voice shaking with desperation. "Don't hurt her. She's just a child."

Baron chuckled, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "Ah, but she's not just a child, lamb. She's leverage. And you're going to sign that contract, or she'll suffer the consequences."

Carlos broke down in tears, his eyes wild with fear. "Aurelia, no! Don't sign it! I'll find a way to pay off the debt, I swear!"

Aurelia's eyes met Ann's, and she saw the fear and trust in her sister's eyes. She knew she had to make a decision, and fast.

"Okay, Baron," she said finally, her voice firm. "I'll sign it. But you have to promise me one thing."

Baron raised an eyebrow, his expression curious. "What's that, lamb?"

"You have to promise me that you'll leave Ann alone," Aurelia said, her eyes locked on Baron's. "You'll never hurt her, or use her as leverage again. Promise me that, and I'll sign the contract."

Baron chuckled, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "Ah, lamb. You drive a hard bargain. I'll leave her alone. She's not worth my trouble, anyway."

Carlos pleaded, his voice cracking with emotion. "Aurelia, don't do it! I'll find a way to fix this, I promise!"

Aurelia turned to her father, her eyes blazing with anger. "You're the one who got us into this mess, Dad! You gambled away our safety, and now I have to fix it!"

Baron sneered, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "Ah, family drama. How...entertaining."

Aurelia's eyes narrowed, her mind racing with doubts. Could she trust Baron? Or was he just playing her? But she had no choice. She had to sign the contract, or risk Ann's safety.

With a heavy heart, Aurelia picked up the pen and signed the contract. As she did, she felt a sense of resignation wash over her. She had just sold herself to the devil, and she knew it. But she had to protect Ann and her dad, no matter what the cost.

As she signed the contract, Baron's goons moved forward, their faces chiseled from granite. They took Ann and Carlos by their arms, and dragged them away, leaving Aurelia alone with Baron.

"Well, lamb," Baron said, his voice dripping with satisfaction. "It looks like you're mine now. For the next year, at least."

Aurelia's eyes dropped, her gaze falling to the floor as she bit back her anger and resentment. She knew she was trapped, and resistance would only put her family in greater danger.

For now, she had to be submissive, no matter how much it hurt her pride. She would have to bide her time, waiting for a glimmer of hope, a chance to escape the clutches of the ruthless Baron. But for now, she was at his mercy, forced to surrender to his whims.

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Aurelia sat on the edge of her bed, staring blankly at the wall as Vera, a maid, entered her room with a tray of food. Vera's expression was distant, her eyes avoiding Aurelia's as she set the tray down on the bedside table.

Aurelia watched her, feeling a sense of isolation wash over her. She hadn't seen or heard from Baron since she signed the contract, and the silence was deafening.

"Vera," Aurelia said, her voice breaking the silence.

Vera turned, her eyes still avoiding Aurelia's. "Yes, miss?"

"Please stay with me for a while," Aurelia asked, trying to sound friendly. "I'm feeling a bit...overwhelmed."

Vera's eyes darted around the room, her voice barely above a whisper. "I shouldn't miss...I mean...I have to go."

As Aurelia reached out to grasp Vera's arm, Vera's eyes flashed with fear, and she jerked away, almost spilling the tray of food. "No, miss! I have to go!" she exclaimed, her voice rising in panic.

Aurelia felt a chill run down her spine as she realized the depth of Vera's fear. "What's wrong, Vera?" she asked, her voice softening.

Vera glanced around the room nervously, as if she feared being overheard. "N-nothing, miss. I just...I have to go," she stammered, quickly exiting the room and leaving Aurelia alone with her thoughts.

As the door closed behind Vera, Aurelia felt a sense of dread wash over her, wondering what lay ahead.

She looked down at the tray of food, her appetite gone. The silence in the room was oppressive, and she couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.

Suddenly, she heard a faint whisper in her ear. "help me." Aurelia spun around, but there was no one there. The whisper seemed to come from all around her, echoing off the walls. She felt a chill run down her spine as she tried to shake off the feeling of unease.

"Who's there?" Aurelia demanded, her voice shaking. There was no answer. The whisper seemed to fade away, leaving Aurelia with a sense of unease. She knew she had to get out of there, but how?

She tried to focus on the food in front of her, but her mind was racing. Who was whispering in her ear? And why? She pushed the tray away, her appetite gone.

As she stood up, she heard the sound of footsteps outside her door. Heavy, deliberate footsteps. Aurelia's heart raced as she realized someone was coming for her. She tried to prepare herself, but she couldn't shake off the feeling of fear that gripped her.

The door creaked open, and a figure loomed in the doorway. Aurelia's heart raced, its presence seeming to fill the entire room. She tried to speak, but her voice caught in her throat. The figure took a step closer, its features still shrouded in shadow.

"Who are you?" Aurelia managed to whisper, her eyes fixed on the figure.

The figure didn't respond, but instead took another step closer. Aurelia could see its face now, and her blood ran cold. It was Baron, his eyes gleaming with an otherworldly intensity, his irises a deep, fiery red, like embers from burning coal.

She tried to step back, but her feet felt rooted to the spot.

"Ah, lamb," Baron hissed, his voice like a snake slithering through the darkness. "I see you're still defiant. How...quaint."

Aurelia tried to speak, but her voice caught in her throat. She was paralyzed with fear, unable to move or speak.

Baron took a step closer, his presence suffocating her. Aurelia felt like she was trapped in a nightmare, unable to wake up. She was at his mercy, and she knew it.

And then, everything went black.

(To be continued )