THE BRIDE WORTH A BLOOD WAR

Slap!

"You're a useless daughter! What's the point of raising you if you won't even help us!?"

As her father's palm landed across her cheek, Zaira felt the sting burn into her skin. Her chest tightened, and she struggled to keep the tears from falling. She couldn't believe he had slapped her, just because he wanted to pay off a debt by selling her to a wealthy man. Her heart filled with resentment as she stared at her father, who looked back at her with nothing but fury in his eyes.

"Dad, I don't understand why it feels like I'm not even your daughter anymore. I'm your child too, and I will never let you force me to pay for a debt that my sister caused."

"Stupid girl! Don't be selfish, Zaira. You know your sister has a heart condition, and you're the only one we can count on to pay off the ten million dollars we owe to Kade!" her father shouted as he dragged her out of the house.

"Daddy, I'm begging you. Please don't do this! Mommy, please... help me!" she sobbed and pleaded as one of her father's bodyguards pulled her toward the gate against her will. But her mother, in the middle of a manicure session in the family's living room, acted as if she couldn't hear her daughter's desperate cries.

Sitting in the backseat of the car, Zaira couldn't hold back her tears. Ever since she was a child, she had always been the one to cover for her older sister's mistakes. Even when it came to toys, her sister always had to get them first before she could play. Her parents constantly scolded her for not understanding her sister's moods, always reminding her that her sister was sick, and she was not. Did she really have no other choice but to pay off her father's debt?

Eventually, their car stopped on a private island. Zaira quickly wiped her tears and looked around. Up ahead, she saw a sign that read Isla de la Promesa-"The Island of Promise."

"Get out of the car and fix your face before I slap you again! I won't be embarrassed in front of the owner of this island!" her father barked as he yanked her out of the vehicle. Zaira winced when his grip on her wrist tightened.

"Please, Dad, bring me home. I promise I'll help you pay off your debt; just don't sell me. I have a job; I'll borrow money from the office," she cried again, clinging to the car door, refusing to go with him.

Her father raised his hand to slap her again but stopped when he saw her finally start to walk. She had no choice but to follow him, even though her heart resisted. Her pleas may have fallen on deaf ears, but she still hoped the man planning to buy her would take pity and let her go.

As she trailed behind her father, Zaira couldn't help but grumble softly under her breath. Her father suddenly stopped and turned around, yelling at her.

"Fix your face! I swear, if your mother and I fail to sell you, and I end up looking bad in front of Kade, I'll kill you when we get home!"

Those words struck her like a slap. She swallowed her tears, finally realizing he no longer cared for her at all. Soon after, they entered through a large gate just a few meters from the shoreline. The guards must have been expecting them, as they were allowed in immediately.

Zaira was stunned by the sight before her. The mansion looked like something straight out of a TV drama. The beauty of the villa and its surroundings was absolutely breathtaking.

"Good morning, Troy. Is Kade inside?" Mayor Enrique asked politely as a man greeted them past the gates.

"He's been waiting for you in his office upstairs," replied Troy, Kade Villanova's trusted underboss. "Follow me and I'll take you there. Just so you know... he's not in a good mood," he added, causing Enrique's face to suddenly pale.

"Boss, Mayor Enrique is here," Troy announced as he knocked on the closed door.

"Let him in," came the reply.

Troy opened the door slowly after hearing the response.

As they entered, Zaira glanced at her father and noticed how pale and anxious he looked. She wondered why his hands and forehead were covered in cold sweat. Then her gaze shifted to the man behind the desk, who was busy signing papers stacked in front of him. She couldn't understand why her father feared this man so much-his face didn't look threatening at all.

He looked no older than twenty-four. His features were flawless-he had a sharp jawline, a deep dimple on his right cheek, long eyelashes, and a perfectly shaped nose. He didn't look like any celebrity she'd seen on TV. In her eyes, he resembled Adonis, the Greek god of beauty. Even in a simple white shirt clinging to his sculpted biceps, every inch of his body looked flawless. She was sure that any woman would kneel before this man just to be held and kissed by him. Zaira wasn't even a perfectionist, but he easily surpassed her expectations. He wasn't shirtless, but she had no doubt he had a six-pack under that shirt.

Still, she had no intention of giving him her heart. She already had a boyfriend. He wasn't perfect, but she loved him deeply, and they were about to get engaged. All she was waiting for was the right moment for him to propose.

"Did you bring the money?" the man asked seriously, still focused on the papers he was signing.

"Ah... hehe... Boss Kade, I was hoping we could make another arrangement. Instead of cash, I'm offering you my daughter as payment for the ten million dollars I owe you," Enrique stammered.

Kade froze.

He slowly raised his head to look at the woman. Their eyes met, locking for a moment.

Zaira felt a chill run down her spine when she saw the fire in his green eyes-but she didn't flinch. Her father may have already shown his fear, but she refused to let her emotions show in front of this man.