Chapter 4 Sold Off

The beeping sound of the defibrillator woke her up. She slowly opened her eyes to behold the roof of the ward, slowly turning to see Joan asleep. She was confused at first, but it all came gushing down. She was a disgrace. A tear slid down her cheek. Her sniff alerted Joan, who raised her head up a bit to see Darnell finally awake.

"Darnell? "Finally...." Joan helped her up, "Can you stop crying already?" "We need to fix this situation." She sighed, handing her a face towel to wipe her tears.

"Do you think Mom would forgive me?" She asked. Joan scoffed.

"Your witch mother cannot. "You're lucky your sister isn't a share of hers." Joan spat out.

"Where's Marina?"

Joan sighs, "She was here a while ago. "Your mother forbade her from visiting, but she said to call her once you're awake."

Darnell sat up properly, resting her back on the pillows,

"I need to plead with Mom.... Just take me home."

"Did you hear what I said? Your mother doesn't want you home. You should come stay with me, my brother wouldn't mind."

Darnell shot a glare at Joan, "You know I can't? He would just remind me how bad of a choice I was with Daren. Sorry to say, but your brother is annoying."

"Well, have it your way then, but my home is wide open for you and, besides, Jonathan is out of the country on business and won't be back until a month, so you have enough time to plan for yourself."

Darnell was quiet for a moment, but then again, she couldn't just leave. She was as Estrella as Marina was. There is no way her mother would disown her just because of this.

"Let's go home... I'm discharging myself." She took out the drips from her hands,

"Darnell? Can you at least wait??

"No...let's go Joan..."

★★★★

Everything beyond the family home was now framed in Darnell's eyes, but where there used to be warmth and comfort, a string of tension and uncertainty filled her stomach while watching Elvis, the stranger from that night, walk out the door.

That same stranger she shared a wild one-night stand with only days before her wedding to Daren.

It was the same stranger who had ruined her wedding ceremony by showing to the world the clandestine tryst between the two.

As her shame mingled with her anger, Darnell felt a hotness rise to her face. "You? "What are you doing here?" She spat slowly, in fact, inaudibly low in restraint from blowing her top.

Her mother, Rosalie, stood cool and calculating in the living room. "Do not worry about him, worry about yourself," she spat, throwing a paper at Darnell.

The paper whizzed through the air as wide-eyed Darnell read its contents.

"What is this?" she breathed, shaking.

"A contract," Rosalie replied, "as a matter of fact, Elvis has agreed to take you out of my hands. Now you will be his problem."

Darnell's eyes ran down the paper, and the more she read, the bigger the horror welling up to find out it was some sort of document of custody release to Elvis, economically speaking, selling her to him.

"No," Darnell whispered, shaking. "You can't do this."

Rosalie shrugged. "I've done it. You're no longer my daughter. You're his now."

Darnell felt like she'd been punched in the gut. She took one backward stumble, eyes locked on Elvis.

"You," she spat, the accusation finally boiling over into anger. "You ruined my life."

Elvis smirked, and his eyes gleamed with triumph. "I've only just begun to shape your life, Darnell."

Darnell's mother appeared before them glacially. "Leave my house. You're his now."

And with that, Darnell's world had just come crashing down. She couldn't believe that her mother was this callous, selling her off like merchandise.

"Mother, please," Darnell wept.

Rosalie had no expression on her face. "You're no longer my concern."

Heaviness hit Darnell in the heart as she knew she had no other option. Elvis had manipulated her mother, and she was at his mercy.

The ringing of the phone cut through the silence. It was Marina, her sister.

"Sis, Joan just told me you're awake. "How are you?" Marina asked, the worry lacing into her voice.

She took a deep breath and attempted to compose herself. "I've been better, Marina. Mom sold me to Elvis."

The line fell silent for a moment. "I'm coming to get you. We'll figure this out together."

Words of encouragement flowed from her sister, and tears of appreciation welled in Darnell's eyes. Thanks, Marina. "I need you right now."

Rosalie's face turned even colder, while the tone spewing from her mouth was venomous. "Leave. Now. You are no longer welcome here."

Tears streamed from her eyes, they pleaded with her mother. "Mom, please...don't say that. I'm your daughter."

Rosalie's face contorted in disgust. "You were a mistake, Darnell. A mistake I've tolerated for far too long."

Darnell's knees buckled, and she grasped onto the doorframe to keep herself upright. "Mom, I'm sorry. I'll do anything."

Rosalie turned away, cold and detached. "Jenkins, would you kindly escort my guest out?"

The butler, Jenkins, entered with Darnell's luggage. His face was unreadable. "This way, miss."

Darnell implored her mother, "Mom, don't do this....please."

Her mother did not move, her back still turned to them. "Goodbye, Darnell."

Elvis did not move but kept staring intently at Darnell's face, savoring her misery.

Jenkins escorted her gently in the direction of the door, the luggage following them. Elvis followed them and closed the door.

The slamming of the door behind her held all the connotations of a prison sentence. Darnell went down the stairs reeling, her world shattered.

Elvis leaned in, his body inches from hers. "You belong to me now."

The flash of defiance was immediate in her eyes, though her voice quavered. "I will never be yours."

Elvis tittered, his eyes gleaming with something sinister. "Oh, we shall see."

Jenkins cleared his throat, and his eyes, in some silent communication, apologized. "Miss Darnell, I have ordered a taxi for you."

Darnell gave a grateful nod to the butler. As she waited for the cab, Elvis's presence in the room seemed to fill up, almost crushingly so a grim reminder of her new life.

The taxi came and Jenkins got Darnell inside. As the car pulled away, Darnell saw Elvis standing alone upon the sidewalk, staring after her.

He didn't budge, his eyes remained on that cab until it vanished into the night, the smirk still tacked onto his lips.

Louis materialized on his right, his second in command. "Should I follow her, boss?

Elvis shook his head, slowly; the gleam in his eyes was almost merry. "She can't run forever, Louis. For now, just keep her in your sight, at a distance. She's to stay with Joan."

Louis raised an eyebrow. "You want her to stay with Joan?"

Elvis nodded. "Yes, it's better for all concerned."

Louis's eyes went inquisitive. "You love her that much?"

Elvis's smirk fell, and he scowled. "Let's go."

Louis said nothing more, following Elvis to the waiting car.

As they drove away, the thought would not leave Louis' mind that Elvis had more in store concerning the plan.

"Boss, why are you really letting her go?" Louis ventured slowly.

Elvis said nothing. He continued to stare ahead. "Just make sure she doesn't get hurt, Louis. That's all."

And with that, dead silence fell, and Louis knew better than to press Elvis further.

As the taxi rolled away, thoughts swam in her head: her mother's betrayal, Elvis's sinister plans.

She reached for her phone and dialed the number of Marina. "Hey, sis. I need your help."

Marina's voice was reassuring. "I'm on my way, Darnell. You're safe now."

Tears welled up in Darnell's eyes at the thought. "Thanks, Marina. I don't know what I'd do without you."

It finally made the cab stop in front of Joan's apartment building, and Darnell steeled herself for what lay in store for her in time to come.

Although she never knew this all the time, his eyes were on her, just waiting and watching.