Indomitable Heart

CHAPTER THREE — EXPOSURE

"But Dad and my teacher told me not to do things like this. They said it would destroy me—that it's morally wrong." Sonia tried to explain why she didn't want to masturbate. Wilson listened from the doorway, unseen.

"Forget what they're feeding you. They know these things are good—that's why they hide them from you. They don't care that you're a big girl now, old enough to choose for yourself," Elvin coached her.

Sonia hesitated, then summoned courage and joined her watching.

"This is interesting," Sonia said aloud.

That was when Wilson barged in.

Both Elvin and Sonia shot up. Elvin, still holding the phone, threw it up in shock. It hit the floor and smashed. They stared at each other, shame naked on their faces.

"Elvin, what are you encouraging her to do?" Wilson held himself back, voice tight with restrained anger.

"Em... I was... Look, I can explain. What really happened was that..." She stammered.

"What did you do?" Wilson barked, military-sharp.

The tone triggered something. Elvin's mask slipped.

"I was telling her what was good for her. What's wrong with that?" she shouted back.

Wilson opened his mouth—nothing came out. He turned to his daughter, standing there guiltless, watching what no child should witness.

"Sonia, why let yourself be deceived by this devil? Can't you see she's leading you to destruction?" He reached for her hand.

Sonia said nothing. She simply took his hand and followed him out. She looked pitiful; Wilson looked worn out, disappointed beyond words. He sat her down and talked thoroughly with her. When she finally understood how wrong her actions were, she broke down.

"I'm sorry for being rude, arrogant and mean, Dad. I wasn't thinking rationally."

"Are you sure you've repented? That you'll think before acting from now on?"

"I promise, Dad. I've forgotten everything Elvin taught me. From now on, I'll follow in your footsteps only."

"I've forgiven you." He led her to his room.

"Thanks, Dad." She smiled. Wilson didn't answer—he was already drowning in thought.

How do I end this marriage?

After a moment of silence, Sonia spoke again.

"Dad, did you know your wife doesn't cook? She goes out every day, buys prepared food and hides it in pots. She also takes weird phone calls almost daily—whispering, so nobody hears." Sonia exposed everything.

"Are you sure, my angel?"

"Of course, Dad. She made me swear not to tell you. I said I didn't like her from the start, but you didn't listen."

"I'm sorry, dear. Don't worry—I'll make sure she leaves. I can't live with a pervert."

Wilson called Richard. Switched off. Odd, but he had no time to dwell on it. After critical thought, he reported to the court where they wed. He told the judge he wanted divorce—"I can't stay alive and watch my child live with such a pervert." The judge examined the report and fixed a hearing date.

Home again, Wilson checked his security cameras—mounted in every room, toilet, corridor, kitchen, even around the compound. All footage from his wedding day to the present: erased. He stood stranded, evidence gone. He knew it was her doing.

At the hearing, Elvin insisted on her innocence. The court ordered Wilson to provide proof. He couldn't. Instead, he brought Sonia as witness and victim. She testified about everything Elvin did. The judge declared it null and void. Underaged.

Wilson stood confused, clueless.

The judge asked Elvin if she wanted a divorce despite being "innocent."

"I don't want to live with this man again."

Surprise rippled through the courtroom. The court processed the papers immediately. Before signing, the judge told Wilson:

"As you sign, all assets are divided evenly. Fifty percent became Elvin's property."

Wilson went silent. He'd never considered this. Now he understood—the court wedding was her design. But half his assets was better than risking his daughter's future.

"I agree."

He signed.

Later, Elvin received one hundred million dollars and a California house. Then she vanished into thin air.

Wilson sat and reasoned through everything. Elvin had approached him deliberately. He called Richard again—number no longer existed. Research revealed the truth: Elvin was Richard's girlfriend, a scammer with no history except criminal records. His friend had plotted against him, schemed to extort his wealth. They succeeded—but didn't know that for a wealthy man, one hundred million dollars wouldn't break him.

Wilson swore: "I'll never marry again."

Yet he still needed someone to care for Sonia and his house. He searched three months for a male caretaker—found none. Finally, they settled for a female. No alternatives left.

"This is my daughter, Sonia. Make sure no harm comes her way."

"I assure you, Sir. Nothing will happen to her," Olive, the maid, answered.

"The rules and regulations are in this paper." Wilson handed it over.

"What? How?" Olive shouted the moment she opened it.