Lucifer's Heart

CHAPTER 2 - A DEAL WITH CONSEQUENCES

The small apartment was suffused with a thick, oppressive silence as John Elim and his children walked back from Oliver Barrett’s estate. Isaiah helped his father into a chair while Eden leaned against the peeling wall, her arms crossed tightly. The weight of Barrett's offer hung in the air like a storm cloud.

John clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white. “I won’t do it. I won’t agree to this deal. No man gets to buy my daughter. Not for any price.”

Eden’s jaw tightened, her dark eyes narrowing. “Dad, don’t be so dramatic. He’s not ‘buying’ me. He’s offering a job. A job that could save us.”

“A job?” John spat, his voice rising. “You heard him, Eden. He didn’t just want you to work in his estate. There’s something more to this. I don’t trust him.”

Eden exhaled sharply, pacing the small room. “What other choice do we have? We’ve tried everything! Isaiah is working himself to the bone, and I’ve been pulling double shifts at the diner for months. It’s not enough. We’re drowning in debt, Dad, and Mom is—”

Her voice cracked, but she quickly recovered. “She’s supposed to be in a hospital bed, getting better but here she is,at home getting sicker every day. Barrett’s deal could solve everything. He said he’d pay off all our debts. Double the amount, even. We’d finally be free.”

John slammed his hand on the table. “Free? At what cost, Eden? I know men like him. He’s not doing this out of kindness. There’s always a price, one that’s too high to pay.”

Isaiah, who had been leaning quietly against the doorframe, finally spoke. “Dad, maybe we’re overthinking it. Mr. Barrett said she’d just be a maid. Nothing… inappropriate. If Eden’s okay with it, maybe it’s worth considering.”

John turned to his son, his expression filled with disbelief. “You’d really let your sister go to that man’s house? After everything we’ve been through, you’d agree to this?”

Isaiah straightened, his voice steady. “I’d rather work for free for the rest of my life than see Eden have to go there.” He turned to Eden. “Let me take his deal. I’ll work off the debt myself.”

Eden shook her head, her voice rising in frustration. “You can’t fix this on your own, Isaiah! None of us can. We have to be realistic. Barrett’s offer is the only way to save Mom.”

John’s eyes softened as he looked at his daughter, but the pain and stubbornness in his gaze didn’t waver. “You don’t understand, Eden. I can’t let you do this. I’ve already failed this family in too many ways. Selling you off to some rich man is where I draw the line.”

Eden took a step closer, her voice firm. “This isn’t about your pride, Dad. It’s about survival. You think I want this? You think I want to leave my home, my family? I don’t. But I’m willing to do it if it means saving Mom.”

Earlier that day at Oliver Barrett’s office…

John shifted nervously in the leather chair across from Oliver Barrett, his children seated stiffly beside him. The vast office was intimidating, its dark wood furnishings and towering bookshelves a stark contrast to their meager living conditions. Oliver’s piercing eyes fixed on them, a faint smirk playing on his lips. John has seen him look better,he was ill too but none of his workers knew what it was about,some said it was a heart disease just like Faith had,others said it was cancer but nobody knew for sure.

“You need a loan,” Oliver said, his voice calm and controlled. “And not just any loan. Enough to pay off years of accumulated debt and keep your family afloat.”

John nodded hesitantly. “That’s right, sir. I… I wouldn’t have come here if it wasn’t urgent.”

Oliver steepled his fingers, his gaze shifting briefly to Eden. “Your situation is dire, Mr. Elim. I’ve heard about the creditors hounding you, the hospital bills piling up. You need more than just a loan. You need a miracle.”

John swallowed hard. “I’ll work for it, sir. I’ll do whatever it takes.”

Isaiah, seated on John’s right, leaned forward. “I’ll work too. Free of charge. Whatever you need, I’ll do it.”

Oliver raised an eyebrow, his lips curling into an amused smile. “How noble of you. But I’m afraid your offer isn’t enough.”

John frowned. “Then what do you want?”

Oliver leaned back in his chair, his eyes locking onto Eden. “Your daughter.”

The words hung in the air like a thunderclap. John stiffened, and Eden’s heart began to race.

“What are you talking about?” John demanded, his voice low and dangerous.

“I mean exactly what I said,” Oliver replied smoothly. “Your daughter works for me. As a maid in my estate. She’ll be well-compensated, and your debts will be paid in full. Twice over, in fact.”

Eden glanced at her father, then back at Oliver. “What kind of work are you talking about?”

“Housekeeping,” Oliver said, his tone matter-of-fact. “Nothing more, nothing less. My estate is vast, and we could use some more people with your grit and determination.”

John stood abruptly, his face flushed with anger. “No. Absolutely not. My daughter isn’t some pawn in your games.”

Oliver shrugged, unfazed. “Suit yourself. But I’d think carefully before rejecting my offer. How many more sleepless nights can your family endure? How many more times will you watch your wife suffer, knowing you can’t afford to help her?”

John’s fists clenched, but he said nothing. The weight of Barrett’s words was undeniable.

Eden spoke up, her voice steady. “If I agree, you’ll pay off all my father’s debts?”

“Every last penny,” Oliver confirmed. “And you’ll have a roof over your head, food to eat, and a steady income. It’s a fair deal.”

“No,” John said firmly, turning to Eden. “We’re leaving.”

“Dad, wait—” Eden began, but he was already heading for the door.

Back in the present…

The argument raged late into the night. Eden sat at the small kitchen table, her head in her hands, while John paced the room, muttering to himself. Isaiah leaned against the wall, his arms crossed, his expression torn.

“Why won’t you listen to me?” Eden said finally, her voice breaking. “This could save us, Dad. It could save Mom.”

“And what about you?” John shot back. “What happens to you, Eden? Do you think Barrett cares about you? You’d just be another servant in his house, another tool for him to use and discard.”

“I can take care of myself,” Eden said quietly. “I’m not a child anymore.”

Isaiah sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “Maybe we should take some time to think about it. We don’t have to decide right now.”

“We don’t have time,” Eden said, her voice firm. “The creditors aren’t going to wait. Mom isn’t going to wait.”

John stopped pacing and turned to face her, his expression weary but resolute. “I can’t let you do this, Eden. I won’t.”

Eden stood, meeting his gaze with equal determination. “And I can’t let Mom die because of your pride. I’m going to accept Barrett’s offer, whether you like it or not.”

The room fell silent, the weight of her words settling over them like a heavy fog. John looked at his daughter, his heart breaking, but he knew he couldn’t stop her.

“Do what you think is best,” he said finally, his voice barely above a whisper. “But don’t expect me to support it.”

Eden nodded, her jaw set. “I’ll make the arrangements tomorrow.”

As she walked to her small bedroom, she felt a mix of fear and resolve. She didn’t trust Oliver Barrett, but if working for him meant saving her family, she was willing to take the risk.