Chapter 3 Live in Regrets and Fear

Beatrix pondered all night in one of the luxurious bedrooms in River's penthouse. Beatrix will stay in this bedroom until River gets bored of using her as a toy and kicks her out of there.

Beatrix really couldn't understand how she got involved with River. So far, her life has been so simple. She is just an ordinary girl who lives alone with her sister.

Amadea Smith, who is 16 years older than Beatrix, is like a mother to her. Amadea has been taking care of and supporting Beatrix since 20 years ago, precisely when their parents died in an accident. At that time, Beatrix was only three years old.

It wasn't easy for Amadea to raise her young sister, but she didn't want to hand Beatrix over to an orphanage. Therefore, Beatrix really loves Amadea. She was willing to sacrifice herself to ensure her sister was safe from River's clutches.

Beatrix stayed awake until morning, and once the sky turned bright, she decided to leave the room.

"Where are you going?" River scolded when he saw Beatrix coming out of the bedroom wearing a uniform, which was slightly torn due to his actions last night.

"I want to go home," Beatrix answered without turning around. She just walked past the dining table where River was sipping coffee.

"I told you that you would live here from now on," River said coldly.

Beatrix turned and looked at River with suppressed anger. "At least give me a few days to say goodbye to my sister and pack my things."

"You don't need that long just to say goodbye." River snorted sarcastically. "A few minutes will be enough. Tell your sister that you won't be living with her anymore. I'll take you there myself."

"I may only need a few minutes to talk to my sister, but it will take me several hours to pack my things," said Beatrix angrily.

"You don't need to bring anything here."

"After all, I need my clothes. What do you think I will wear while staying here?" Beatrix hissed sarcastically.

"It doesn't matter even if you don't wear anything," River said unconcernedly.

Beatrix stared in disbelief. "Do you want to see me wandering around here wearing nothing?"

"What is wrong with that?" River smiled sarcastically. "You are just a toy that I will approach whenever I need release. So, it makes no difference whether you are clothed or not. In the end, you will still be lying with nothing on my bed."

Beatrix felt so insulted hearing River's words. That anger made her dare to ignore River's orders and keep walking towards the door.

"As soon as you move another step, I will order my guards to vacate your sister's salon," River said cruelly. "They will tear up your sister's place and kick her out."

"What right do you have to do that?"

"Of course, I can evict a tenant who hasn't paid for months," answered River arrogantly.

"But you're not the owner."

River smiled slyly. "I have bought the building."

Beatrix's knees went weak for a moment. She really didn't understand what was going on. "What do you want, actually?"

"As I said before. Taking revenge and watching you suffer every day."

Beatrix's throat felt like it was choking when she heard the thick hatred in River's every word. "Why don't you just kill me as well?"

River shook his head and smiled evilly. "That's too easy."

"What will happen to my sister?" Beatrix was more worried about Amadea than about her fate.

"As long as you obey my command, your sister will live in peace." River smiled with satisfaction, seeing Beatrix helpless. "I'll let your sister use my place without having to pay for rent."

Beatrix feels defeated and helpless against River. This man was too powerful and was no match for them at all. Finally, Beatrix walked towards the dining table, pulled out the chair directly opposite River, and then plopped herself down there. She didn't have the energy to fight anymore.

"You are quite smart." River nodded in satisfaction. "Sit quietly. After this, I will take you to meet your sister."

***

"What's wrong, Bea?" Amadea asked anxiously. "Why do you suddenly want to leave our house?"

Amadea was scared to see her sister leaving the house to go with a man she shouldn't be near. Someone who had never crossed Amadea's mind would appear in their lives.

"I'm just tired of our difficult life." Beatrix tried to look calm. "Now I have found someone who can guarantee our lives. You don't need to worry about rent anymore because River has already bought it. From now on, you can use the place without having to pay anymore."

"I don't need that, Bea." Amadea shook her head hard. She held Beatrix's hand tightly, hoping that her sister wouldn't go with that man. Amadea was really scared right now. "I just want us to continue living life as usual."

Beatrix couldn't look at Amadea as she said, "Sorry, I can't, Amy. I have already made a decision."

"Please think about it again," Amadea asked hopefully.

"Not at the moment, Amy. I'm sure of my choice." Beatrix bit her lip hard; she had to stop herself from crying."

"Bea...," Amadea whispered sadly.

"I have to go, Amy." Beatrix needed to leave as soon as she could before she cried here. "River has waited long enough."

Now, Amadea is begging to River. "Please don't take my sister away."

River just stared at Amadea coldly. "You have heard your sister's decision."

Amadea couldn't hold back her tears any longer.

"We're leaving now." River took Beatrix's hand and held it. "Until we meet again, Amadea. Take care of yourself."

Amadea sat on the floor and sobbed. She was so scared that her whole body was shivering with cold. Amadea knew who the man was who took her sister away. She knew because River had met her a few weeks ago.

Amadea felt strange seeing a neatly dressed man who had been sitting in the waiting room. When the salon was quiet, Amadea dared to approach the man. "Excuse me, Sir. Is there anything you need?"

"I was just waiting for an old acquaintance." The man glanced around Amadea's salon. "She's been very busy since earlier, but it seems like she's free now."

"What do you mean by me?" Amadea asked when she realized there were only the two of them there.

"Sit down." The man smiled stiffly.

Even though she was confused, Amadea obeyed the man's words. She sat across from him while trying to remember the figure of the man in front of her. Amadea didn't feel like she recognized his face.

"Long time no see, Amadea. Looks like you've forgotten me," said the man sarcastically.

"Sorry, I don't remember you. When have we met?"

"It's been a long time. Maybe around 20 years ago."

Amadea thought hard, trying to remember the man in front of her, but failed. It's hard to remember his face because 20 years ago, this man might have still been a teenager, even a child.

"If you don't recognize my face now, I think that's normal. However, I can still remember your face clearly. You are still as beautiful as before, Amadea."

Amadea felt afraid when she saw the man's eyes, which radiated hatred. "Where have we met?"

"It's that easy for you to forget about me." The man chuckled in amusement, then smiled sarcastically. "I'll tell you a little story to help you remember."

Amadea twisted her fingers, which suddenly felt cold.

"Do you remember a boy who was shivering in the cold in front of your fence?" asked the man. "He was the one who waited in front of your house for three nights and almost died of hunger."

Amadea's eyes widened at the man's question. However, she was speechless.

The man continued, "Do you remember the boy who cried for mercy so that he would be given the opportunity to meet your husband? Unfortunately, your husband threw him out cruelly."

Amadea's body began to tremble.

"Your husband kicked him as if he were a disgusting street dog. Do you remember that day, Amadea?" asked the man hatefully.

Amadea clearly remembers the incident. However, how did the man in front of him know about it? "What happened to the boy?"

"He lived well, as you can see now."

Amadea froze, then asked timidly, "Is that you?"

"I'm here to keep my word." The man continued to stare at Amadea, who was full of hatred. "I will see you again. I will make you pay for what you did to me. It's a shame that your husband died before I could touch him. However, I'm happy because you and your sister are still left. "

"What do you want?" Amadea asked tremblingly.

"It's simple. Just want to make you feel what I used to feel." The man shrugged. "I will make your and your sister's lives miserable, just like I lived mine before. I won't let you live in peace from now on."

"I'm sorry for what happened to you before," said Amadea pitifully.

"Too late, Amadea."

"Please don't involve my sister. She didn't do anything wrong to you," Amadea asked hopefully.

The man shook his head coldly. "Unfortunately, she is the beloved younger sister of the person who destroyed my life. Destroying her will make you tormented, right?"

"Please stay away from her."

"She will be mine soon, Amadea." The man snorted sarcastically, "Just enjoy your regrets and live in fear."