chapter three
1107 Words
Chapter 3 – Seraphina’s POV
My head felt heavy and my body sore, like I'd been pulled apart and put back together wrong.
As my vision cleared, it settled on the figure of a man sitting at my bedside. He was dressed in a dark expensive looking suit. Nothing about him looked out of place.
My chest tightened as I recognised him. Is this the same man?
“You’re awake,” he said. His voice was steady and calm.
I swallowed, averting my eyes from his intense ones. “You… you saved me.”
“As I should have,” he replied. That was all. I guess that was his own apology but then he added. “You would be compensated for the injuries.”
I nodded, studying him quietly. The watch on his wrist probably cost more than everything I had ever owned. He didn't look like someone who helped people for free.
I pressed my lips together, determined.
“Give me a job instead,” I said.
He looked at me, seemingly surprised at my request. Then as if sensing my desperation, he looked away with a smile curving his lips.
“You can’t do it,” he said finally.
My brows pull together. “Please try me. You don't know what I can do.”
“I do.”
I sat up a little despite the pain. “I’m willing to do anything. Anything legal.”
A slow smirk appeared on his face.
“It’s legal,” he said gently.
Something about the way he said it made me uneasy.
He leaned back slightly with a thoughtful look on his handsome face and his mouth opened.
“I need a child.”
I blinked, barely holding back my shock. “What?”
The muscle in his jaw flexed, his eyes unmoving.
“I need someone to carry my child,” he repeated, like it was nothing. “I’ll pay you ten million dollars.”
My chest felt as if he had plunged a serrated knife through it, but my face remained devoid of emotion, a skill perfected over the years.
“What the f**k?! You think I'm that cheap?!” My fingers tightened, grabbing a folding of the hospital blanket.
“Ten million dollars is not cheap, girl.”
Girl? Wait, was he saying he could buy me for ten million dollars?
The invisible knife twisted, and whatever attraction I had for him disappeared in an instant. His calm tone and slight smile irritated me to no end.
“I’m not something you can buy,” I gritted. “Everyone already treats me like that. I will not allow anyone to use me anymore. No matter who the f**k you are.”
Something flickered in his eyes and disappeared quickly.
He reached into his pocket and dropped a card on the table beside me.
“If you change your mind.”
He stood and walked out, leaving me in my stupefied shock.
I left the hospital later that day. The bills were already paid. But as I left a nurse stopped me.
“Here you go ma'am” She bowed slightly, handing me an envelope embossed in gold.
“From Boss Killian.”
I assumed Boss Killian should be the asshole from earlier. Opening it, there's a wad of cash in it with a tiny piece of paper.
“Look both sides before crossing next time, girl.”
“Asshole.” I cussed without control. At least he had the decency to give me some money, even though he never apologised.
The house looked the same when I walked in moments later. I would have thought it empty if I didn't perceive the smell of dinner being prepared.
My mother emerged from the kitchen, doing a double take when she saw me standing in the living room, like a ghost.
“Oh the slut finally finds her way home!” She sneered, looking me up and down in disgust.
“Do you know how embarrassing you’ve been?” she continued.
My father followed behind her, barely looking at me. “We can’t have you staying here in this house. You have brought shame to the family name.”
“Do you even know what the hell happened to me out there?!” Spit flew about as rage spewed unbridled from my mouth. “I almost lost my freaking life! I gave five years of my life away for you! I went to prison for you ingrates, my so called f*****g family–”
My head whipped to the side from the force of the slap. The world momentarily spinned as a sharp, metallic taste filled my mouth. The sting on my cheek was nothing compared to the pain in my chest.
Before I could find my footing or speak, her words cut through the air.
"Lower your voice," She was not concerned one bit about my wellbeing. The priority was clear: the family's outward appearance was to be protected at all costs, even if it meant hurting me.
"Get out," my father said, his voice cold and final. "We’ve already packed your things."
"You're joking," I whispered, clutching my burning cheek. "It’s pouring outside."
"Then you better start walking before you get caught in it," my mother spat. She grabbed my arm, her nails digging into my skin, and hauled me toward the front door. I stumbled, my body still screaming from the accident, but they didn't care.
She threw the door open and with one violent shove, she sent me spiraling out onto the wet pavement. My small duffel bag was tossed out after me, landing in a puddle with a heavy splash. The door slammed shut.
I stood there, drenched in seconds, looking back at the house with my heart getting as cold as the rain. A hard knot of pure hatred was forming in there.
The grief was gone. The desire to be loved was gone.
“I swear this day. I will get back at you all for everything you did to me. Everything.” I swore silently as tears streamed down my eyes.
I reached into my pocket, my fingers trembling as I pulled out the gold-embossed card. It was damp, but the number was clear. I dialed and it picked up on the second ring.
"Speak," A cold voice came through, steady and dangerously calm.
I wiped the blood from my mouth with the back of my hand, my eyes fixed on the darkened windows of my parents' house.
"It’s Seraphina," I said, my voice shivering but sharp as a blade. "I'm ready. I'll bear your child."
- Writer
