Chapter 1

After a long day at work, all I needed was to be cuddled in my boyfriend's arms. What I didn't need was to be annoyed by a rude man.

I'd stopped to fetch pastries on my way to Nicolas' and was walking out of our favorite coffee shop when suddenly, someone bumped into me. He quite literally came out of nowhere.

The bag of donuts fell to the floor and the man I'd bumped into didn't even seem phased. He simply walked over them to go in. That pissed me off. I'd taken out what would probably be the only amount I could spare this month from my salary to buy those pastries for Nicolas and this man just walked over them like it was nothing.

Did people lack common decency now?

“Excuse me. You just ruined my pastries, I think you owe me an apology.”

The man suddenly turned around, my breath caught for a moment as I subconsciously took in his unrealistically striking features. But that didn't matter considering how rude he had just been to me.

“I owe you an apology?” He said with a dead expression that almost made me reconsider my life choices.

“Yes, you bumped into me afterall, and you knocked over my pastries and just stepped all over them.” I crossed my hand over my chest hoping it would calm my racing heart.

He let out a humorless laugh and something about it sent chills down my spine. He didn't sound very amused. “I'll tell you what. I pay for your… donuts and you pay for these shoes which got stained because of you.”

I looked down at his designer shoes. No doubt they cost more than I could possibly afford. But that didn't mean this man could walk all over people because he was richer than them.

“Forget about the donuts, all I want is an apology. It's that simple.” I replied more firmly this time.

“You want an apology. I want new shoes. If you can't afford it, perhaps you'll be willing to pay for it in… other ways”

He said while looking me up and down. I suddenly felt very exposed in the short sun dress I was wearing.

“W-what?” I stuttered.

“I know girls like you. You'd do anything to get the attention of a rich man. You have my attention now. The question is just how much are you willing to do to please me?”

He brushed a strand of hair from my face and I flinched back and before I could stop it, my fist connected with his face. The sound had everyone turning to us in a heartbeat. I looked around nervously

Suddenly, some men came out of a sleek black car which I hadn't noticed. They were all dressed in black suits and had dark shades on. The man I'd slapped suddenly stretched his arm out for them to stop.

I knew it was time for me to leave.

“I don't know who you think you are, sir, but I am not that kind of girl. Goodbye.”

Without sparing him another glance, I walked away then ran once I was out of sight. I was still steaming with a mix of rage and fear. It was only after I'd reached Nicolas’ place that I calmed down a bit.

He immediately noticed my disposition. “Hey baby, what's wrong?”

“Nothing, just some jerk I ran into.” I saved the parts about his disgusting suggestions to avoid riding Nicolas up unnecessarily.

“What happened? Who was he?” Nicolas went straight into protective police boyfriend mode.

“It's fine, I'm fine. He was probably just a spoiled billionaire. He's not worth ruining our day over.” I said not just to ease Nicolas but also myself.

The more I thought about it, the more I couldn't shake a sense of dread, like I'd done something I shouldn't have.

Who was that man and why did he have such scary looking bodyguards?

“Remeber you're dating a cop. If you're ever in any kind of trouble, call me first, okay?”

“Okay.” I managed as he pulled me into a hug

“How are things at home?” He asked as he handed me a cup of coffee.

I let out a sigh.

“Not good. Mum didn't stop crying yesterday dad keeps getting more hostile. He sells literally anything he can at home… it's all so depressing”

“I'm sorry about that love. I want you to know I'm here anytime you need me, just ask.”

“Oh, what did I do to deserve you?”

“You fell to earth as the most beautiful angel, that's what.”

I let out a giggle, feeling much lighter already. But of course the universe wouldn't let me be happy for more than a few seconds. I got a text from my mother.

‘Come home early. We have to talk’

And that only made me more uneasy. My insides curled with a feeling I couldn't shake. I tried to put on my best face for Nicolas but it didn't do much, he couldn't still tell I was upset. I didn't tell him about the text.

I wasn't too pleased to be returning home. After my father's business went under a year ago things had only gone from bad to worse for us, being at home only reminded me just how deep in debt we were. I'd even had to drop out of college in my last year of medicine.

It was only 7pm but it was already dark outside as it was nearing winter. When I entered, I heard my parents whispering in the living room and what I heard sent chills down my spine.

“We have to give her to them or they'll kill us all…” It was my father's voice.

“What's going on?” I asked, startling them.

Before they could speak, my sister entered the room in tears mumbling words about our parents selling her off. The world was spinning for me. Nothing was making sense.

“Olivia you h-have to save me, please.” Daphne was frantic

“I don't understand. Mum dad? What's she saying?”

And then, they came.

Three men all in black suits with stormy expressions. I could instantly tell they were into some shady stuff.

My heart leapt into my throat. What had father gotten us into this time?

“Who are these people?” I whispered for my mother to hear but she didn't give me a response.

“Welcome gentlemen, This is my youngest daughter, Daphne.” My father spoke, confirming my fears.

“You can't be serious.” My mother tried to shush me but I wasn't having it.

“You're selling your own daughter?!”

“Daphne just finished high-school. She can't help us pay bills yet. We didn't have a choice.” My father tried to justify his action but it left me feeling more disgusted.

Was that all he saw us as? Objects to use and trade. Liabilities. Cash cows.

I looked at my mother. She barely met my gaze. “And you agreed to it.”

She didn't respond as the men moved to take Daphne but her screams awoke something in me I didn't know I had.

“Let go of her! Take me. Take me instead, let her go.”

The room fell silent save for Daphne's sniffles. They let go of her and she ran to me.

The men looked at me and then exchanged glances before the one who seemed to be in charge nodded his head.

“Take her.”

The words came out so quickly I didn't even have time to fully process the transaction I'd just made. Two men came for me, practically ripping me away from Daphne's hold.

I struggled against the men but I was practically powerless against them.

“I'm sorry Olivia, the debts are too much and we need to secure a future for ourselves and your sister”

If I could I would've laughed at my father. Secure a future for Daphne? That was his excuse after he'd just tried to sell her?

The men rough handled me as I continued to struggle and yell at them.

“Please don't make this harder than it already is.” My mother whispered, hypocritical tears filling her eyes.

The men proceeded to drag me out of the house as I continued to kick and scream and yell.

“No… no! Let go of me!”

“Mum p-please don't let them take her.” I heard my sister beg on my behalf but nothing could be done anymore.

I'd made this choice to go in her place. And I didn't regret it. Better me than her.

But the weight of what just happened hung heavy over me.

My parents had sold me to wolves like I meant nothing to them.