Chapter 1 Racing heart

Hazel's POV

I could feel my heart racing as my heartbeat raced with every step I took closer to his room.

Without waiting for an invitation or even knocking, I pushed the door open and entered, not caring about the repercussions.

"Yes, you can come in now. She is ready," He said over the phone, his lips curving into a smile as he turned to me.

"Okay, I will be waiting." he hung up and turned to me, his expression turning gray as he sat down, legs slightly apart, obviously creating room for his pot belly.

"Brother, what is the meaning of this?" I asked, my voice breaking despite my effort to stay sound.

He got up and strolled towards me, his eyes scrutinizing me in a way that made me feel small.

I rubbed my hands around my shoulder, trying to stay sane, but when I looked up at his face, I saw him smirking half.

It was a smirk he did whenever he got away with something.

Seeing this, my heart sank because I knew whatever I had heard was true and the scary part was that there might be no way out.

I couldn't help it, and I fell on my knees, with tears clouding my vision; I placed both palms together above my head and bowed slightly.

"Brother, don't do this. I have always tried to show you how worthy I am but why do you treat me this way?"

"Just this once, please. Just this once allow things to slide, and I promise to get Mr Alfredo's signature on the papers, please," I begged, hoping that this could make him change his mind.

The only thing my brother loved other than making my life a living hell was money, easy money, and considering the debt he owed, this was my best plea.

I raised my head, hoping to see him thinking, but all I saw was his glancing at me as if I meant nothing.

"You do not belong to me but to a certain man," he paused and rubbed his head, obviously trying to remember something.

My heart broke, and my brother, who, despite all my efforts trying to please him, had sold me to a man whom he didn't even know.

I was done begging at that moment, I got up and faced him.

"Why do you treat me this way?! I have given my entire life to you since the death of our parents. I didn't care how you treated me!

"All I wanted was for you to accept me, but you have never for once done that!" I screamed trying to let out some steam as I felt a sharp pain in my chest.

"Am I not good enough?" I found my voice lowering as I asked.

At this moment, the tears I had been fighting for a while were streaming down my face without restraint, and I felt embarrassed because I knew this monster didn't care.

Still, a little part of me wanted him to care.

"Dear sweet sister," he called as he rubbed his short, fatty fingers across my face.

"If only you knew how much favor I have done you. You will be thanking me." His words hit me like a bullet, and without thinking twice, I raised my hands to hit him, but he was quicker and grabbed my hair, pulling it hard.

"You bit*h, after your unfortunate mother led my father to his early grave, this family had suffered financially and is now in debt, and you need to save it," he recited and pushed me away.

I fell on the floor with my hands protecting my stomach from hitting the tiles, but I was greatly relieved as he had let my hair go.

I rubbed my hurting scalp and, in the process, noticed in horror that I was losing some hair strands.

"Also, the buyers want you pure so you must never tell them that you are not a virgin. I have someone already and she will help you fake the scene. All you have to do is keep your mouth shut" He snared and was about leaving the room when I opened my mouth to speak.

"If they wanted someone so pure, why didn't you give them Lily? She is your daughter, after all, and a much better candidate." I had hoped that these words would calm my heart, but they just made me much more angry and I stood up to my feet, my fists clenched.

I noticed that the look in his eyes had changed drastically.

He looked around, picked a bat stick from nearby, and walked slowly towards me.

I was defenseless, and I could feel my heart racing as he approached me; what had I done?

So many thoughts were running through my mind as I took small steps backward.

Was he going to hit me with it knowing that the buyers were coming soon?

It was a good idea; that way, I could save myself.

As if he could read my thoughts, he stopped and threw the stick aside giving me a knowing look.

"You are just like your gold-digging mother. You both know how well to play your cards but, not this time"

My brows arched as I charged towards him but he was swift and shifted.

"Boss, they are here" Someone announced as I fell on the floor, groaning in pain.

"Really?" He asked excitedly and without sparing another look at me, he skipped towards the door but stopped.

"Tell the maids to prepare her and send her downstairs" he ordered and walked away.

I got up, dusting my palms as I watched Josie skip away; for him to be this happy, it meant the buyers had paid well.

"Miss, this way," one of the maids pointed as they led me out of the room.

My thoughts were still scattered even as I stared at my reflection in the mirror.

For the first time, I couldn't understand what was happening in life and I wanted to disappear.

I couldn't take the torture anymore.

"Miss, you are messing up your makeup. You need to stop crying" the maid said, her words laced with threat.

I blinked my eyes trying to stop the tears from following as I was led downstairs.

"Here she is" Josie announced joyfully as he grabbed me and pulled me.

I looked around and my eyes fell on the man who has a scar of his left brow which made him look dangerous.

I could feel my skin crawl and my stomach fall as the man scanned me with his eyes.

After what felt like minutes, he stopped and turned to Josie with a lazy expression while placing back his golden glasses.

"It was nice doing business with you" he said and turned to the man beside him.

"Take her to the car" he ordered and walked away.

"This way" the man pointed.

I followed them obediently as my mind cooked up plans.

While sitting in the car I made a decision, a year from now, I will disappear from my buyers, take my secret inheritance and disappear from this country.

"Josie, I am coming for you" I mumbled as the car drive off.