Novel & Cerita A Life Debt Repaid

"Different how?" Xander opened his eyes. They were brown. Plain, beautiful, exhausted brown. "It’s not a debt anymore, Sara. When we looped the signal, we turned the money into a 'Life-Credit.' It can't be traded, and it can't be stolen. It’s tied to the person's heartbeat. Everyone has exactly what they need to survive. No more, no less." "You made us all equal," I whispered. "No," Xander smiled weakly. "We made us all human."

“He’s alive, but he’s still working for them and they won’t let him go until the debt is paid.” Tonia sighed, putting the popcorn aside. “At least he’s alive, that’s something.” I let out a bitter laugh. “Alive, but trapped like a slave, the debt it’s seven hundred thousand.” Her eyes widened, “Seven hundred thousand, Jesus, Loretta.” “I have no idea what to do, I can’t even pay Mr Harris off for his services in full. And every month the debt keeps growing” My voice cracked, and I rubbed my forehead. Tonia reached over, placing a hand on my arm. “Hey, don’t beat yourself up too hard, you are trying your best.”

Nate's Pov She said yes. I watched the word leave her lips like she was signing her own prison sentence instead of saving her father’s life. Serena Voss. After ten years, here she was, older, exhausted, still the same girl who dragged me out of freezing water and vanished. She had no idea. “You’re really going to wipe the entire debt?” she asked again, leaning forward in the chair like she expected me to laugh and say it was a joke. “Every cent,” I replied. “Medical bills, interest, late fees, everything your family owes Calloway Financial disappears the moment you sign.”

Fifty million dollars. Repayable at one million per month. A punishment disguised as repayment. Yet Ella accepted it without complaint. She signed the papers. Then walked away. Because compared to freedom... The debt meant nothing. As she stepped outside the bureau, she lifted her eyes toward the distant university campus. A new life awaited her. This time, she would rely on no one. Not the Eleanor family. Not Shane. Not anyone.

“Yeah.” He studied me another second. “You worked something like this before?” “A diner,” I answered truthfully. He shook his head. “That’s not the same thing.” “No,” I admitted. “Probably not.” One corner of his mouth twitched again. “So why here?” Because rent is due. Because my car can barely run. Because tuition doesn’t magically disappear because life gets expensive. I tipped my chin defensively. “I need the money,” Something unreadable moved through his expression. “You in school?”

There wasn't, so he left I turned back to my screen and I did not think about the fact that somewhere across the city a twenty-something year old woman was about to have her entire life rearranged because of a debt her family owed mine. That's not my problem to think about. The debt is real. The terms are fair by pack standards. Everyone involved knew this was always a possibility when the original agreement was made twenty years ago. It's business and I'm good at business. Morning of the fourteenth.

When Mom and Dad returned to their hotel in Harbor City, the lenders were already waiting for them. “Everyone, it’s time to repay the debt.” Mom’s eyes darted around. “What debt? That was only an act. When did we ever actually borrow any money?” The lender produced the agreement. “You may have thought it was an act, but this agreement is real. It’s in black and white. Don’t even think about denying it.” At the very bottom of the agreement was a line of fine print. [If Millie Brooks is unable to repay the debt or dies, the entire amount will be borne by her parents.]

Behind them, by the table, Wren Halloran said very softly, "Oh my God." "There's no balance." Fina's heart was pounding. She heard herself saying it as if from the far end of a long tunnel. "Nothing is on hand. The House doesn't hold the years. The lender doesn't hold the years. The lender is the years. Each advance is paid out of you, out of your own life, and when the dates fall due, the deaths do not repay you, because a death cannot give back a year. A death only closes the account." She pressed a hand over her mouth. "Four hundred years. You've been paying out of yourself for four hundred years."

One thing at a time. “Why ten million?” I asked, narrowing my eyes. “If you overheard my conversation, you'd know I need only five to cover my debt, plus interest.” “Consider the extra five as repayment for saving my life.” he replied, “You saved my life last night. I owe you a debt of gratitude Miss Johnson, it's only fair that I give you double the amount you need.” I swallowed thickly. Looking him over, his gait still held that composed, commanding authority. It was a grounded certainty.

The current balance made her stomach drop. One hundred million. She looked up, throat dry. “This isn’t mine. I’ve never borrowed anything. I don’t even know who you are.” “Andrzej.” He gave his name the same way someone might state the time. “Your parents signed this three years ago, shortly before they disappeared. They listed you as collateral. When they ran, the debt remained. Interest has been compounding. You turned eighteen, and the responsibility transferred fully to you. You now owe me one hundred million.”