Chapter 4

:Threat

I finished work at ten and went home. I wasn't too tired today since we didn't have many customers. A month has passed since that party, and the bruise on my hand has completely disappeared.

As soon as I opened the door, I heard yelling and immediately knew what was happening—my so-called father was back. He had been away for two weeks because of work, and for me, that felt like a holiday. I wish it could always be like that. It's so much better when he's not home.

Just as I was about to head to my room, I heard my name and froze.

"So now you're ignoring me too?" My father's voice sent a shiver down my spine, and I slowly turned to face him.

"Speak when I talk to you, you filthy bastard."

Before I could process what was happening, a sharp pain burned across my face, and my ears started ringing. The next thing I knew, I was on the floor.

I don't know what I did wrong. He hates it when I stay silent, but he also hates it when I speak. My mere existence seems to disgust him. If he despises me so much, why didn't he just give me away? Why didn't he let me have a chance at another family—one that might have loved me like their own?

"Get up."

His roar made the tears spill over, and I started shaking. I hate feeling powerless. I hate when others see my weakness. But no matter how much I try, I can't do anything. Even after years of abuse, I'm still helpless. The moment I hear his voice, my body tenses, my heart pounds, and fear takes over. And there's nothing I can do to stop it.

Because of him, I struggle to trust people. When someone—even a stranger—tries to touch me, even in a friendly way, I panic. How do I explain to them that I'm not just afraid of their touch—I'm afraid they'll hurt me? That the moment someone raises their hand, I automatically assume they're going to hit me? That's why I always keep my distance from others. The only people I feel safe with are Amelia, Lily, Noah, and, of course, Otto.

Slowly, I got up, keeping my head down, my eyes fixed on the floor. I prayed he wouldn't hit me again.

"To my office. Now."

Without a word, I followed him.

"Close the door," he ordered.

I took a deep breath, shut the door behind me, and stepped closer to his desk.

"In one week, you're getting married."

I froze. My breath caught in my throat.

What the hell did he just say?

Married? To whom? Why?

"What?" My voice barely came out.

"You heard me. Don't even think about making a scene. Just do as you're told. Is that clear?"

My body started trembling, and I couldn't stop the tears from falling. Why? Why is it always me? No matter how much I endure, it's never enough. But no—I wouldn't let this happen. No matter what, I wouldn't marry a stranger.

I gathered all the strength I had, took a deep breath, and spoke.

"No."

He turned to me, his eyes dark with fury, and took a step forward. Instinctively, I stepped back, but before I could react, he grabbed my wrist so tightly that I screamed.

"What did you say?" He looked at me like a madman.

"Say it again."

He roared, yanking my hair and forcing me to look up at him. He looked completely insane.

"I won't marry anyone."

He suddenly started laughing and tightened his grip on my hair. My scalp burned with pain, and my body trembled uncontrollably. I was crying, desperately trying to free myself, but it was useless.

"I didn't ask for your opinion, you little whore. You'll do as I say unless you want your beloved friends and their parents to end up on the streets."

I froze at his words, my breath hitching as I looked at him in fear.

"What do you mean?" I asked, my voice shaking.

"If you don't want those three bastards' parents to lose their jobs or that old fool to have his precious café shut down, you'll do exactly as I tell you. Otherwise, you know very well that I'll go to any lengths. They won't be able to find work anywhere, and they'll end up starving to death on the streets. And guess what? It'll all be because of you."

No. No. Please, not them.

God, what should I do? What can I do?

Tears kept falling. Right now, the only thing I could do was cry.

"Now get out of my office, and you'd better not try anything stupid, or your friends will pay the price instead of you."

He finally let go of me, walked over to his desk, and picked up his phone.

I barely managed to make it to my room, still in shock. Locking the door behind me, I sat on my bed and broke into uncontrollable sobs.

What could I do? If I fought back, my friends and Otto would suffer because of me.

I couldn't let that happen.

I had no choice but to obey. It was the only way to protect them.