His Debt. My Body.

Lisa POV I heard my name before I heard my fate. “…we’ll give Lisa to him when he comes.” The words slid under my bedroom door like poison, quiet and deliberate. I froze mid-step, the glass of water trembling in my hand. For a second, I thought I imagined it. My parents had said worse things before—things they laughed off later with fake apologies and excuses soaked in alcohol. But this time… this time sounded final. “We don’t have a choice,” my mother continued, her voice low, tight. “Killson isn’t patient. He wants his debt settled.” My fingers curled around the glass until my knuckles ached. Debt. Always that word. Always the excuse for everything they did to me. My father scoffed. “What do you think the Killson family will do with a girl we picked from the dump? Huh? We’re gamblers, not saints.” A bitter smile tugged at my lips. Picked from the dump. Raised for convenience. Sold for survival. “I don’t care,” my mother snapped. “Maid, servant, whatever he wants. She owes us. Twenty years is enough.” Something inside me went still. So that was it. I leaned closer to the door, my heartbeat loud in my ears. “Yes. Tomorrow,” my mother added. “When his men arrive.” Tomorrow. I stepped back quietly, every emotion draining out of me until all that remained was numbness. No tears. No screaming. I’d done enough of that growing up. At least this meant one thing—I wouldn’t be here anymore. I wouldn’t wake up to insults or broken bottles or the smell of regret soaked into the walls. If I was being sold… then fine. I’d survive that too. Minutes later, moans drifted through the thin walls. I grimaced. “Gross,” I muttered, turning away. “Pathetic.” I went back to my room and lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling that had witnessed too many of my silent breakdowns. My thoughts drifted to the only person who ever made this place bearable. Lila. Seven years old. All sunshine and questions and stubborn smiles. My little sister. Not by blood—nothing in this house was real—but she was mine in every way that mattered. I swallowed hard. I was going to miss her. Morning came too peacefully for a day meant to ruin my life. Sunlight filtered through the curtains as if nothing had changed. I showered longer than usual, letting the hot water ground me. If this was the last morning I’d have control over my own body, then I’d take my time. I dressed simply—jeans, a fitted top—and studied my reflection. Slim frame. Long blonde hair. Caramel eyes that had seen too much too early. “So pretty,” I whispered to myself, not because I believed it—but because no one else ever said it. When I stepped out, Lila ran straight into my arms. “Sis Lisa!” she chirped. I lifted her easily and spun her around. “Good morning, sunshine.” “I have a surprise for you,” she said proudly, grinning wide. I smiled back, genuine this time. “I’ll be waiting.” She ran off to school moments later, waving like she always did. That was when my mother walked in. “Get ready,” she said flatly. “Someone is coming to take you today.” I nodded once and returned to my room. No arguments. No begging. I was done giving them the satisfaction. A car engine crunched over gravel outside. Not cars. Car. Slow. Heavy. Unhurried. I didn’t look out the window. I didn’t need to. Something told me whoever was stepping into this house didn’t rush for anyone. And somehow… I knew. This was the devil my parents sold me to...