Aurora sat on the floor, her wrists raw from the rough ropes that bound her. The cold stone beneath her seeped into her skin, making her shiver. The dim light of the room flickered, casting long shadows that moved like ghosts. She stared at the locked door, every sound making her flinch. Her heart pounded so loudly that it drowned out her thoughts.
She wasn’t sure how long she had been there-hours, maybe even a full day. Her mind raced with questions, but the biggest one lingered: Where was Damian? Did he even know she was gone?
The door creaked open suddenly, and Aurora’s head snapped up. Two men stepped inside, both large and menacing. They wore black suits, but the wrinkles and stains on their shirts showed they were used to getting their hands dirty.
Behind them came another figure, one that froze Aurora in place. Damian’s father.
His sharp features were just as she remembered. The same piercing eyes that had stared her down when she first met him. The memory hit her like a slap. That day, she had foolishly stood up to him when Lina had arrived at Damian’s house. She had spoken with more bravery than sense, trying to protect Damian from the chaos Lina brought.
And now, here he was, looking down at her like she was dirt under his shoe.
“Well, well,” he said, his voice smooth and cold. “If it isn’t the little girl who thought she could play hero.”
Aurora’s lips trembled, but she said nothing.
“What’s the matter? You’re not as brave now, are you?” He took a step closer, his polished shoes clicking against the floor. “You had a lot to say when Lina walked into my son’s life. Do you remember what you said to me?”
Aurora swallowed hard, her throat dry. She did remember. She had told him he was wrong to bring Lina there, that Damian deserved better. She had called him a controlling, bitter man who didn’t care about his son’s happiness. At the time, her anger had drowned out her fear. Now, fear was all she had.
“I didn’t mean ” she began, her voice cracking.
“Didn’t mean what?” His tone was sharp, cutting her off. “Didn’t mean to stick your nose where it didn’t belong? Didn’t mean to make a fool of yourself in front of everyone?”
She dropped her gaze to the floor, unable to hold his stare.
“Look at me,” he commanded, his voice like thunder.
Her head snapped up, her eyes meeting his.
“You think you can walk into my son’s life, flutter your eyelashes, and everything will be fine?” he said, his face hard. “You really thought you could erase what your father did to my family?”
“I didn’t know,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.
“Didn’t know?” He laughed bitterly, the sound harsh in the small room. “Your father killed my daughter and caused a massacre. and my My little girl was killed aurora. And you expect me to believe you didn’t know?”
“I swear,” she pleaded, tears streaming down her face. “I never met him. He left my mother before I was born. I didn’t know anything about him or what he did!”
He crouched down, bringing his face close to hers. His eyes were cold, filled with hate that made her shiver.
“You didn’t know?” he repeated mockingly. “How convenient. But ignorance doesn’t erase bloodlines. You are his daughter, and that makes you just as guilty. and yes his blood still runs in your veins and you act just like him”
Aurora shook her head frantically, her tears falling faster. “Please, I didn’t do anything. I’m not like him!”
Damian’s father stood, his lips curling into a sneer. “It doesn’t matter. You’ve been a thorn in my side since the day Damian brought you into his life. And now, you’ll pay for what your father did.”
The door opened again, and another man entered. He was tall and broad-shouldered, with a scar running down his cheek. His presence made the air in the room feel heavier.
“This is her?” the man asked, his voice deep and rough.
“Yes,” Damian’s father replied, not even glancing at Aurora. “She’s yours now.”
Aurora’s heart stopped. She stared at the scarred man, her body trembling. “No,” she choked out. “Please, no. You can’t do this!”
The scarred man smirked, his eyes gleaming with cruelty. “She’ll fetch a good price.”
“Take her and go,” Damian’s father said flatly. “I don’t want to see her face again, and do to her what pleases you”
The scarred man nodded, gesturing to the two other men. They grabbed Aurora roughly, pulling her to her feet. She struggled against their grip, kicking and twisting, but it was no use.
“Let me go!” she screamed, her voice echoing in the room. “Please! I didn’t do anything!”
Damian’s father turned his back to her, walking toward the door. “Save your breath,” he said without looking back. “No one is coming to save you.”
The ride was silent except for Aurora’s quiet sobs. She sat between two men, their hands gripping her arms to keep her still. Her wrists and ankles were bound with heavy chains, and every movement made them dig into her skin.
The scarred man sat in the front, his eyes fixed on the road. Occasionally, he would glance back at her through the rearview mirror, a cruel smile playing on his lips.
Aurora tried to focus on her breathing, but her mind was spinning. Where were they taking her? Would she ever see Damian again?
“You should stop crying,” one of the men beside her said, his voice low and mocking. “It won’t change anything.”
Aurora ignored him, turning her head away.
“She’s a fighter,” the other man said, chuckling. “I like it when they fight. Makes it more fun.”
“Shut up,” the scarred man barked. “She’s not here for your entertainment.”
The men fell silent, but their smirks didn’t fade.
The car eventually stopped in front of a large, decrepit warehouse. The windows were shattered, and the walls were covered in graffiti. It looked abandoned, but Aurora could feel the danger lurking inside.
The men dragged her out of the car, their grips like iron. She stumbled as they pulled her toward the entrance, her bare feet scraping against the rough ground.
Inside, the air was thick with the smell of oil and rust. The dim light barely illuminated the large space, but Aurora could make out crates and machinery scattered around.
The scarred man led them to a small room in the back. Another man was waiting there, his suit clean and expensive. He looked out of place in the dirty warehouse, but his cold, calculating eyes told Aurora he was just as dangerous as the others.
“is this her?” the man in the suit asked, his voice smooth and emotionless.
“Yes,” the scarred man replied. “Fresh delivery.”
The man in the suit stepped closer, his eyes scanning Aurora from head to toe. “She’ll do,” he said simply.
Aurora felt her stomach drop. “Please,” she begged, her voice desperate. “Don’t do this. I didn’t do anything. Please, let me go.”
The man in the suit ignored her, turning to the scarred man. “Payment will be transferred once the deal is complete. Get her ready for transport.”
The scarred man nodded, grabbing Aurora’s arm and dragging her toward another door.
“No!” she screamed, struggling against his grip. “Please, don’t do this! I’m innocent!”
Her cries echoed in the warehouse, but no one paid her any attention. As the door slammed shut behind her, a cold realization washed over her.
She was truly alone.