Chapter 1 Sold out

EMILY

SWACK!!

That was the sound that echoed through the small, dimly lit room as the slap landed on my face, so hot and Mind blowing slap....

My cheek burned instantly, but it was nothing compared to the ache in my heart. It was just another day, another day of brutal suffering and humiliation at the hands of the man I was forced to call "father."

A man who hated me with so much venom, a man who hated me with pure passion, I sometimes wondered if he ever saw me as a daughter, or just some mistake life cursed him with. A man who would probably pick a pig over me and call it an upgrade.

"You worthless, arrogant bastard! Useless girl with no ounce of shame!" he bellowed, spitting out insults, spit flying from his cracked lips.

His eyes were bloodshot from too much drinking. "I'm helping you, yet you dare to speak against me? Do you know who I'm trying to sell you to? A rich don! Someone that will at least make something out of you!"

My chest heaved. My breathing was erratic and unsteady, my heart was really broken at that moment. I hated him, God knows I did. I hated the fact that we shared the same blood. I hated that he was the one my mother chose before death took her away. I hated that she wasn't here to protect me from this padded trauma, this living nightmare.

"You're not a father! You're a monster!" I screamed back through the tears that were now pouring freely from my eyes. "How can you sell me like a piece of meat just to clear a debt I knew nothing about? You're a coward! You're shameless and..."

Before I could finish, he pounced on me, his fists raining down like a storm. I screamed, I begged, but he didn't stop not until everything went black.

******

When I woke up, the air around me smelled strange like unwashed sheets, stale sweat, and something else I couldn't name.

The place reeked of sex and secrets. I sat up quickly, heart thumping wildly against my ribs. I wasn't home anymore. The room was unfamiliar, the walls dirty and the curtains torn. Panic set in. My mind raced back to what happened... my dad, the slap, the beating... the deal.

The realization hit like cold water.He sold me.

Hot, steamy tears spilled down my cheeks. My throat ached from screaming, but nothing came out this time. Only silence. Painful silence.

Then the door creaked open.

A man walked in. Tall, lanky, and rough-looking. His potbelly strained against his tight shirt. His eyes were cold, like he'd long forgotten what it meant to be human.

"You're awake," he snorted like a pig, as if he couldn't care less.

"Who are you?" I snapped, my voice shaky. "Where the hell am I? How did I get here?"

He shrugged like it was none of my business. "If it interests you, then hear this. Your father sold you for twenty million Burks to pay off a debt. That makes you the price, sweetheart."

I froze. Every word pierced me like a needle to the soul.

"You'll follow me now. My boss wants to see you. I'd advise you don't try anything stupid unless you want to find out what real stubbornness means," he added, flashing a grin that made my stomach churn.

I stood, trembling like a leaf in the harmattan breeze. I didn't want to follow him, but what choice did I have? My legs moved, weakly. Every step felt like walking to my death.

As we made our way out, I saw other women, half-naked, bruised, hollow-eyed. Some looked at me with pity, others with disgust. One even threw a can of water at me. It hit my side and spilled, but I didn't react. My heart was already soaked in pain.

We finally arrived at a large compound guarded by men in black. The gates opened like jaws ready to devour me. And that was when I saw him, James Bolton.

He sat on a throne-like chair, legs crossed, a glass of red wine in his hand. His suit was spotless, face smooth like polished steel, but his eyes were dark, soulless.

"Welcome to your new life," he said without looking at me. "You must be the treasure your father offered."

I scoffed and glared. "Treasure? You must be mad. If you think I'm some object to be played with, then you're more pathetic than he is."

He raised a brow, amused. "Fiery. I like that. But let me remind you, you're here because you were bought. Your opinion? Doesn't matter."

I stepped forward, fury bubbling over. "You're nothing but a coward hiding behind money and guards. I don't care how rich you are, you're still just a dog with a leash called power."

One of his guards took a step, but James raised his hand. "Let her speak. It's been a while since someone dared insult me."

"Oh, I'll do more than speak," I said, my voice low and full of venom. Then I did it. I SLAPPED him hard.... The room went dead silent....

James Bolton's face remained still, but something shifted in his eyes.

He smiled.

Then he whispered coldly, "Teach her a lesson."

The two guards didn't wait for a second instruction. They descended on me, blows landing on my back and ribs. I screamed, tried to fight back, but I was outnumbered. Pain clouded my vision. And when it was over, I was dragged, bloodied and bruised, into a dark, Cold cell.

The door slammed shut behind me. I lay on the cold floor, barely breathing.

Hours passed.Then the door opened again.It was him.

James Bolton.

He stepped inside, hands in his pockets, no trace of the earlier anger on his face.

"You've got fire," he said calmly. "I admire that. Most girls come in here begging. But not you."

I didn't respond. I couldn't.

He squatted beside me. "Listen to me, and listen well. I didn't plan to make this offer. But something about you... your strength, your stubbornness, it really excites me."

I turned my head weakly to face him.

"What do you want?" I rasped.

He leaned in closer, his voice low and dangerous.

"How about a deal? Marry me. Be my wife, not a toy, not a slave. A partner. In return, I'll help you get revenge. On your father. On everyone who has wronged you."

I blinked slowly. Was he serious?

Was this a trap?

"What's the catch?" I whispered.

He stood and turned his back. "The catch? Well, let's just say... you'll have to lose your soul to win your freedom."

Then he walked out, leaving the cell door open, leaving me with a choice...