Buy Your Freedom

{Elara’s POV}

Back at the mansion.

I remained in the same spot, my mind was still playing the event that happened between me and Dorian.

It all feels unreal, everything is moving so fast. Just last night, I was sitting at home and now, I’m married.

I looked down at my still moist palm then before I slowly rose to my feet and made my way to the bathroom.

The bathroom was elegant, spotless, and carried Dorian’s lingering scent, probably because he had used it only moments ago.

I stepped toward the sink and washed my hands, then lifted my eyes to the mirror.

The moment my reflection stared back at me, the tears I had been desperately holding in spilled over. A sob escaped my lips, and I broke down completely, weeping with a grief I could no longer contain.

Right now the hatred I had for my uncle knew no bounds. How dare he put me in this mess.

If only I had run away sooner, maybe… just maybe the situation would have been different.

After what felt like hours, I stepped out of the bathroom and saw my luggage kept neatly outside the closet.

I opened the smaller bag and took out my phone and switched it on. Immediately, notifications flooded the screen. There were missed calls and messages from Shelly.

‘Oh, right, I had completely forgotten about Shelly. She must be so worried.’ I thought and quickly called her.

She picked up at the first ring.

“Seriously young lady, you need to learn to keep your phone with you.” Her voice rang out the moment the call connected. 

“Do you know how many times I called you last night? I was up the entire night waiting for you at the door but you never showed up. What happened? Did you change your mind?”  

“I’m sorry. I…” My throat tightened as I fumbled for words. “Shelly, I… actually,” The words refused to come out as tears burned behind my eyes, threatening to spill over once again.

‘God, I’m such a mess.’

“What happened? Were you caught?” She asked impatiently.

“I… I got married.” I choked as tears streamed down my face.

There was a brief silence on the other end of the line.

“Yes, I was caught,” I continued, my voice trembling. “And then my uncle… he sold me off to a man. A man who is now my husband.”

The words tumbled out broken and uneven between sobs. The reality of it all hit me again, and I broke down completely, crying harder than before. 

“Oh God. I’ve been telling you for years that your uncle is a twisted man, but you never wanted to listen to me.”

I let out a shaky breath as fresh tears rolled down my cheeks.

“Okay, first things first,” she said, her tone softening. “Stop crying. We’ll figure this out.”

“How?” I whispered, sniffing.

“Well, if this man is rich enough to buy a wife, then maybe we can buy your freedom back.” Her voice brightened with hope. “Think about it. If your uncle owed him money, then all we have to do is pay off the debt, right?”

My heart skipped a beat.

“Do you think that would work?” I asked, wiping my eyes.

“Of course it could work,” she replied confidently. “I’ve watched plenty of movies where powerful men use people as collateral, but no woman ever tries paying back the debt. If the money is all he wants, then once it’s repaid, he shouldn’t have any reason to keep you.”

For the first time since this nightmare started, a tiny spark of hope flickered inside me.

“Just… stay away from him until we figure things out,” Shelly added. “And whatever you do, don’t let him touch you.” She said firmly.

I paused, and arched my brows in confusion.

“Why? What happens if he touches me?” I asked. My mind played back to when I held his member, and the way his head moved back against the couch, and how his…

“God, are you a child?” Shelly’s voice snapped me back to the present. 

“Huh?”

“He’s a man, okay. Men have needs. When you start meeting his needs, then there’s no way he’ll let you go.”

My heart thudded against my chest. 

His needs?

“I mean, it’s easier to go home to a wife than to hook up with some random chick don’t you think? You guys haven’t slept together right?

My eyes widened. 

“W-What? No! Of course not.” I stuttered and shook my head vigorously, forgetting that she couldn’t see me.

“Well, good,” Shelly said with obvious relief. “Keep it that way for now. If he asks, tell him you’re on your period or something. Just don’t let him get close enough to complicate things.”

She let out a frustrated sigh.

“God, we need to meet and talk about this properly. Can you come outside now?” She asked.

“I… I don’t know if I’ll be allowed to. I just got here.” I mumbled 

“Well, find a way to meet me. I think it’s best we have this conversation in person.” 

I heard someone speaking to her in the background before she came back on the phone

“I have to go now, my mum’s calling for me. Just text me when you are available to meet up okay.” She said then the call ended.

I sighed, already feeling lonely as I registered everything Shelly had said. But I couldn’t help but wonder how much my uncle really sold me off for? The thought made my stomach churn.

Was it a few thousand dollars? Tens of thousands? Millions? 

Whatever the amount was, my uncle had looked me in the eye and decided that was what I was worth.

Oh God, 

I slumped on the bed and stared at the ceiling as my thoughts spiraled out of control. Is it really wise to lie to Dorian? If he finds out, then there’s no telling what he’ll do to me.

The thought alone sent a chill down my spine. 

With a groan, I took a pillow and covered my face with it. I felt like screaming. Why is everything in my life suddenly so complicated? 

Suddenly there was a knock on the door. 

“Ma’am,” I heard a voice call.

I stood up and opened the door to reveal Pen. She held a trolley containing food and fresh fruits.

“Your lunch is ready. Ma’am,” She said with a polite smile and I stepped aside to let her in. She wheeled the trolley over and kept it beside the bed.

“When you’re done eating, just call the kitchen and a maid will come pick it up,” she added, pointing to the telephone on the bedside table.

I smiled back, and she gave a slight bow. 

Just as she turned to leave, I stopped her.

“Um, Pen,” I called.

She paused and looked back at me.

“Yes, ma’am?”

I hesitated for a moment before asking, “Would it be okay for me to leave the house? I’d like to meet up with a friend.”

“Of course, I’ll tell the driver to get the car ready for you.” She said, surprising me.

That went easier than I expected. I thought Dorian would have instructed them not to let me out of the house.

I smiled, feeling glad, then she bowed and left.

After eating, I looked down at my dress. It looked a bit rumpled from sitting on the floor but it wasn’t that bad. I took my phone and texted Shelly

“Let’s meet up at Ann’s Café. I’ll be there in thirty minutes.”

Her reply came immediately.

Shelly: Sure, but come with some wedding cake okay. It’s been a while since I ate some of those :(

I smiled and took my purse before heading out.

Outside, a sleek black SUV was parked in front of the mansion. Beside it stood a large, broad-shouldered man dressed in black. His expression was blank.

When I got close, he stepped forward and opened the back seat, indicating for me to get in.

I hesitated for a moment before climbing.

“Ann’s Café, right?” He asked casually.

My eyes widened as I turned to look at him. 

My heart skipped a beat.

“How did you…” 

“Boss already told me about it,” He replied before I could finish.

“Huh?” I gasped

The man simply closed the door and walked around to the driver’s seat.

I had only mentioned meeting Shelly to Pen.

So how did Dorian know where I was going?

A strange feeling settled in the pit of my stomach as the SUV pulled away from the mansion.