His surrogate wife

Alessia’s POV – “What do you mean I won’t be staying with you guys anymore?” where am I supposed to go, who am I supposed to live with. My voice cracked as I stood frozen, staring at my parents—at the two people who were supposed to protect me from the world. My father didn’t even look at me. He sat on that same old chair—the one with the cracked leg—leaning back like the weight of his decisions meant nothing. His hand gripped a half-empty bottle of cheap vodka, and he took a slow sip like he was drinking away every ounce of guilt, but I cared less of his presence. “Mum, please... talk to me,” I whispered, moving toward her, hoping for a shred of compassion. I clutched her arm, desperate, but she turned her face away. Silent. Broken. “Dad,” I said firmly, moving to where he sat, yanking the bottle from his hand. “What the hell did you do this time?” He snorted, staggering up, his breath thick with alcohol. “Give me that back,” he growled, reaching for the bottle again. “No,” I snapped, my hands shaking. “What debt did you get yourself into now? Why can’t you just stop dragging us into your mess? Huh? What did we ever do to deserve this life, Dad? All you do is gamble and drink, while Mum and I clean up your mess!” Don't you ever get tired of making people laugh at us hun! why do you keep doing this I screamed Tears blurred my vision, but the rage made me louder. “You don’t care what happens to us! You never have!” “Alessia, please,” my mother whispered, trying to pull me into her arms. But I yanked away. “No, Mum. Someone has to say the truth out loud for once to him cause I am so tired of this.” My father smirked and staggered back a few steps. “You want the truth? Fine. You want to know what I did?” He laughed bitterly, lifting the bottle to his lips. “I sold you.” Silence. Deafening silence filled the room. I stood there, paralyzed. “What...?” I breathed out, barely able to form the word. “I sold you,” he repeated. “And there’s nothing you can do about it.” “Why... Dad, why?” I asked, my voice barely audible. “Because I had every right to,” he said, slumping back down. “They’ll be here for you soon.” My world shattered. “Mum?” I turned to her, hoping, praying that she would say it wasn’t true. But she didn’t. Her head remained bowed, tears slipping down her face. “She knew,” Dad chuckled. “She agreed. Said it was the only way to fix our problems.” “You... did this?” My voice cracked as I faced my mother. “You agreed to this? You agreed to give me away like some... item? Were you so tired of me that you chose him over me?” Her lips trembled as she whispered, “I’m sorry, Alessia. I had no choice...” “No choice?” I screamed. “You had me, Mum! You had a choice to fight for me, not hand me over to a monster!” “I did it to protect you,” she cried. “He would’ve killed us all. He said if we didn’t hand you over willingly, he’d take you by force and end our lives too.” “Who?” I asked, although deep down, I already knew. “The Mafia King,” my father answered, smirking. “You're going to be his surrogate. That’s the deal.” I staggered back like I had been slapped. “You sold me... to be a surrogate for a killer? A monster?” I turned to my mother again, desperate for her to refute it. But her silence said it all. “You threw me to the lion’s den,” I whispered. “You know what he does to people. You and I have witnessed it.” “I’m sorry,” she said as she knelt beside me. “I begged him to spare us. Please, Alessia... forgive me.” I recoiled from her touch. "You want me to carry the child of a monster? Someone even worse than Dad?" I screamed, tears pouring down my cheeks. My voice cracked with every word. "Why, Mum? Why? You've seen what he's capable of! You've watched him kill people like they meant nothing—and you still agreed to give me to him?" I choked on my sobs, my hands trembling as I stared at her. "What did I ever do to deserve this? Why would you let this happen to me?" She knelt there, broken, tears streaking her face as she reached for me. "I'm sorry, Alessia... please, forgive me," she whispered through her cries, but all I could do was take a step back and watch the woman who was supposed to protect me—beg for mercy she never gave me. Then Dad’s voice cut through the air again, slurred and cruel. “Pack her things. The guards will be here any moment.” He leaned back in his chair, grinning. “We’re rich now.” I stood there, numb, my thoughts racing. “I can’t do this. I won’t let them take me. I won’t be that man’s property.” I bolted up the stairs, heart thundering in my chest. “Where are you going?!” my father shouted from below. I didn’t answer. I threw open my window and jumped. My feet hit the ground hard, but I ran without hesitation. The streets were familiar, and I darted into alleyways and shortcuts only I knew. “There she is!” a voice shouted behind me. They were chasing me. My lungs burned, and every step felt heavier, but I didn’t stop. I couldn’t. I finally slowed when I reached a shadowed corner, panting like a trapped animal. My back hit the wall as I slid down to rest. I just needed a second... Then—sharp pain on my neck. My body stiffened. I reached up but it was too late. Everything blurred. My eyes fluttered. I had been hit. A figure stepped into the faint light. Him. The Mafia King. Tall. Cold. Smiling like he had just won his prize. “Where did you think you were going, little one?” he asked, squatting to meet my eye. I tried to fight. To stay awake. But I was losing. He leaned in closer. “No one runs from me... Not when I already own them.” He brushed a strand of hair from my face. “Sleep now... my love.” And darkness swallowed me whole.