Traded To The Billionaire Heir

Chapter 6: The Rules Of My New Prison

I didn't sleep that night.

I lay there, eyes open, staring at nothing. Sophie's words kept coming back to me, over and over.

"Ask Dad why Mom spent twenty-four years pretending to be your mother."

Pretending?

That word wouldn't leave me alone.

What did it mean? Was I adopted? Was I someone else's daughter? Why did everyone seem to know something I didn't?

I cried, I wiped my face, but more tears came anyway.

By the time morning came, I hadn't really slept at all, my eyes felt heavy and raw. Then someone knocked on my door.

"Mrs. Foster? The family is waiting downstairs. They asked for you."

My stomach dropped.

Maybe, I thought, maybe I could ask to see my father today.

I got dressed fast and went down, the moment I walked into that room my feet slowed on their own.

It was full, Ryan, Vanessa, his father at the head of the table. Aunts, uncles, lawyers, staff standing quietly by the wall.

The air felt cold, Heavy, Wrong.

It didn't feel like a family gathering, It felt like a courtroom and I was the one on trial.

Every eye turned to me at once, My skin prickled.

Ryan glanced at me then looked away fast, like he couldn't hold my gaze.

Vanessa smiled, that smile made my stomach turn.

Ryan's father pointed at an empty chair. "Sit."

I sat.

"Now that you are officially a Foster bride," he said, "there are rules."

Something in my chest pulled tight.

Rule one: I could not leave the estate without permission.

Rule two: I could not contact anyone outside without approval.

Rule three: I could not visit my former family.

My head snapped up “What did you say?"

Nobody answered me.

I looked around the room, not one surprised face. They already knew, everyone already knew but me.

What do you mean, former family? My voice came out smaller than I wanted.

Silence.

Then Ryan's aunt laughed, Soft, Sharp, Cruel.

Did you really think we paid off your family's debt out of kindness?

A few quiet chuckles followed, not loud, just enough to burn my face red.

Vanessa leaned back in her chair like she was watching a movie, like my pain was the entertainment.

Ryan said nothing.

I felt myself shrinking, small, alone, trapped, like a bird that just realized the open door was never really open.

"From now on," his father said, "your duties belong to the Foster family."

I couldn't stay quiet.

I stood up so fast my chair scraped the floor.

“My father is sick." My voice shook. He's in the hospital, he can't even walk, I just want to see him. “He needs me”

Nothing. Not one word from anyone.

Then Ryan's father spoke flat and cold, like he was reading off a grocery list.

"That chapter of your life is over."

Those words hit me harder than a slap.

Over, my father, my whole old life. Just... over?

Something cracked open inside me. I had swallowed so much for so long — my mother's coldness, Sophie's selfishness, one sacrifice after another. I always told myself, just endure it, just a little more.

But this? This was too much.

The tears came before I could stop them. And for once, I didn't care who saw.

Why? I screamed it. "Why is it always me?"

Nobody moved.

What did I ever do wrong?

Still nothing. Just cold, staring faces.

My voice cracked in half. "Why does everyone act like I don't matter?"

I kept going, even as my whole body shook.

I gave up everything for my family, i left my sick father, i married a stranger I never chose. And still — still — nobody cares.

Dead silence. Even Vanessa's smile slipped off her face, just for a second.

Then a chair scraped hard against the floor.

Ryan stood up.

His face gave nothing away, his jaw was locked tight.

Even Vanessa sat up straighter, like she hadn't expected this either.

Ryan looked at his father and said, She will visit her father.

The room went cold and still.

"Ryan." His father's voice was a warning.

But Ryan didn't blink, didn't sit back down.

She will visit her father, he said again.

The lawyers shifted in their seats, eyes darting between the two men. Vanessa's fingers gripped the edge of the table.

Ryan's father rose slowly to his feet. The air in the room seemed to get heavier, like the whole house was holding its breath.

Then Ryan said, quiet but sharp as a blade:

Because if she doesn't go today... she may never see him alive again.

My heart stopped in my chest.

No, No, No.

His father let out a long breath. Then he stood up straight, and for the first time all morning, something serious crossed his face.

My pulse was pounding in my ears now.

Then he said it, the words that froze the entire room.

"Too late."

My knees buckled under me.

The room started spinning.

What do you mean? Ryan asked, his voice barely holding steady.

Nobody breathed.

His father looked straight at me. And said, quietly:

"The hospital called this morning."