The Billionaire’s Hidden Heart

“Don’t hurt her!” I screamed in terror as I suddenly ran to shield my sister from my father’s wrath. “You impudent bastard, I’ll teach you a lesson today” Joe barked back as he grabbed a handful of Aurora’s hair and yanked it. I screamed in pain as I suddenly got up and with all the strength mustered in me, I gave him a hard slap across his face. The anger and passion in my eyes soon turned to regret as he charged at me. He grabbed my neck and began squeezing so hard. I was gasping and losing air as tears welled up in my eyes. Lily was crying and pleading with him “I beg you, don’t hurt my sister, please she’d give you the money, just don’t hurt her. Joe finally loosened his grip, letting me crumble to the floor, wheezing. “I didn’t raise you not to appreciate my efforts as a father Aurora, all I ask of you is to drop a wad of cash on my table every morning. Is that too hard to ask for?” He whispered in my ear his breath reeking of alcohol. I had to beg him even though I hated his guts with passion. I could not keep letting Lily grow up in a violent home. She was too young to watch this drama unfold every day. “Please Joe, just give me till this evening I’m working a job and I’ll get paid. Please just don’t hurt Lily and Mom” I pleaded earnestly with my whole body trembling. His lips curled in satisfaction at the fear he saw in my eyes. “You had better bring me cash or I swear you will regret living under the same roof as me. And keep that adopted bastard away from me.” Joe said as he left the room and shut the door with a loud bang. I quickly ran to Lily and gave her a tight hug, comforting her. “Shush baby, it’s over now he’s gone and you don’t have to be scared anymore.” “I hate him so much! Why does he have to be mean to us, doesn’t he love us?” She looked at me with her tear-streaked face. I didn’t know how to reply to my thirteen-year-old sister. I didn’t believe he loved us either, every time he was around there was always a dark and sorrowful countenance home. “Lily it’s okay, I will do my very best to get you and Mom out of this hell hole and provide a better life for us, I promise and no you are not a bastard okay?” I assured her as I tickled her belly and showered kisses on her face till she burst out laughing. “Okay Aurora, it’s enough, we don’t want to wake Mom up,” Lily said as she squealed in delight. “I’m already up my babies.” We turned together and saw our mom leaning weakly against the door for support. Lily and I rushed to hold her hands to support her to her rocking chair. “I’m fine Aurora, don’t treat me like I’m a child when I’m a grown woman.” Mom chided softly. “How are you feeling this morning Mom?” I asked ignoring her complaints. “I’m okay, has the monster left?” Mom asked in hushed tones, fear evident in her eyes. “Yes Mom, he has left no need to worry now come eat breakfast Lily and I made for you.” “Breakfast being just toasted bread and jam, God I can’t remember the last time I ate cereal” Lily whined in her seat. I whinced when I heard her comment. It just meant we were poor and I wasn’t doing my best. Before I could speak my mom interrupted me. “Lily, that’s no way to show gratitude to your big sister! You know she does everything in her power to help.” Mom snapped at her. Lily’s expression softened. “I’m sorry Aurora, thank you for being the best sissy ever.” “It’s no problem, Lily.” “Who’s in the building!” My best friend Rachel yelled barging in without a knock. “Rachel!” Lily shouted with excitement and ran to hug her. “How’s my little ray of sunshine?” Rachel hugged her back and tossed her hair. “I’m good Rachel, how’s your boyfriend?” Lily asked with a mischievous grin. “Lily mind your business, Rachel darling how are you this morning?” My mom asked. “I’m okay Mom, how’s your health?” Rachel asked her giving Mom a light peck on her cheek. “I’m doing just fine Rachel, now you guys hurry off or you’d be late for work.” “Bye Mom, I will make sure I buy your medication today, and bye Lily, take care of Mom.” I waved as Rachel and I left for work. “Aurora the boss is going to be so mad that we are late to the diner, what happened?” Rachel asked her big grey eyes a ball of curiosity as we hurried down the street. “ It’s Joe again. He is becoming too much of a burden for me to bear, and I’m so scared that he will hurt Mom and Lily. “Damn, can’t we report to the police?” Rachel asked. “It’s too dangerous, we don’t have much evidence against him. Let’s just drop this topic and get to work okay?” I said as we entered the diner. I quickly wore my apron, took out my notepad and pen, and went to customer’s tables to take down their order. Later that Evening After a long day at the diner, I was exhausted, but I had one last job for the day. “Aurora, you better run along and don’t be late for the gala. And please wear the dress I picked out for you, you’d look stunning in it.” Rachel reminded me. “Don’t worry Rachel I won’t be late. And stop acting as if I’m going to be a guest there, I’m working remember?” I replied as I giggled. “Who cares if you’re working? You know there’d be a lot of big fishes there and your beauty might just capture one’s heart.” Rachel winked at me grinning from ear to ear. “Oh please Rachel, you of all people know love is the last thing on my mind after what that jerk did to me.” I retorted as I scrunched my nose in disgust. “Aurora, not everyone is as low as Andrew and you’ll find a man soon enough don’t worry.” “Bye Rachel, save your lecture for another day.” I waved her off. I stopped at the chemist’s shop to buy Mom’s medicine, stuffing the small bag into my purse. I was walking quickly as the street was looking a little lonely and I needed to freshen up before heading to the gala. I heard a low whistle behind me, I turned sharply and froze. Lucas my ex-boyfriend. Great, like my today couldn’t get any worse. I ignored him and hastened my steps. “Slow down gorgeous, where are you running off to?” He asked as he matched my pace, before I could react, his hands snaked around my hands yanking me back. “Get your hands off me, you loser!” I said as I forcefully yanked my hand away from his grip. “Relax cupcake, I just came to apologize to you. You know I didn’t mean to cheat, and I told you I was sorry.” Lucas said he stepped closer to me with a look of rage in his eyes. I shoved him away. “I said I forgive you, just stay away from me please.” Then, without warning, a second hand clamped onto my shoulder from behind. I sucked in a sharp breath, my body going rigid. I wasn’t alone. And this time, I wasn’t sure I could fight back.