sold to a stranger

One “Ava!” Lucy’s sharp voice cut through the silence, echoing through the house. Ava’s heart skipped, as she quickly wiped her hands on her apron and stood to her feet. She wondered what she had done wrong this time, but she braced herself up for the inevitable storm that was about to break. Lucy stormed into the kitchen, Ava could see anger all over Lucy's face. “This!” Lucy screeched, holding up a slightly chipped teacup. “How can you be so careless and worthless? You can't even handle a teacup?” Ava's heart sank, it was just a small chip barely noticeable, but before Ava could respond, Sienna walked into the kitchen, with her arms crossed, watching the scene unfold like she was enjoying her favorite TV series. Ava lowered her head, not wanting to look into Lucy’s eyes or even look at Sienna. “I’m sorry, Lucy. I didn't mean to…..” Ava began, but her voice faltered as Lucy hand swung out, slapping her hard across the face. The impact was sudden and brutal. Ava stumbled backward, clutching her cheek where she felt the stinging pain. She blinked her eyes trying not to let the tears drop, but the tears flowed through her cheeks uncontrollably. “You didn't mean to?” Lucy’s voice was icy, dripping with malice. “You always managed to ruin everything you touch! Do you think an apology would fix this?” Ava said nothing, her eyes downcast, she had no answer that would satisfy her step mother. “I work all day to put food on the table, and a roof over your head, and this is how you repay me? You’re a burden Ava. A stain on this family.” Lucy sneered, stepping closer, “I regret not throwing you out the day your father died, cause you’re nothing to me.” Ava swallowed the empty lump in her throat, her chest tightening with each cruel word. She had been hearing these harsh insults for the past sixteen years, since her father died, leaving her at the mercy of the woman he married. “Why don't we should get rid of her?” Sienna chimed in, her voice soft but filled with malice. “We don't need her around, mother, she’s just useless to us.” Ava knew Sienna enjoyed tormenting her as much as Lucy did. “No one would take her,” Lucy said with a smirk, eyes glinting with cruel satisfaction. “She's worthless, who would want to deal with this useless creature?” “I..I can work harder.” Ava stammered, desperate to hold on to the little she had. “I’ll do whatever you want, just please …” “Silence!” Lucy snapped, raising her hand, Ava flinched, her body filled with fear. “Upstairs now! Before I forget my hands on your ugly looking face!” Lucy ordered. Ava hurried to obey, biting her lips to keep from crying out, as she walked through the stairs, her stomach churned with hunger. She could hear Sienna’s mocking laughter following her, the sound of it, hurt her deeper in her hearts. Ava reached her small attic room where she slept, collapsing onto the thin mattress on the floor. The tears she had been holding in for a long time finally spilling over. No matter how hard she worked, no matter how hard she tried to please them, it was never enough. But she had nowhere else to go. She had no money, no family, no one who cared about her. Lucy made sure she was trapped in this life, dependent on her mercy. Suddenly the door to her room burst open, jerking Ava up from bed, she found Lucy standing at the entrance, something crumpled in her hand. “You didn't think you could hide this from me, did you?” Lucy's voice was low and dangerous, and she threw a piece of paper at Ava, “How dare you!?” Ava looked confused at first, then turned her gaze at the paper that landed on her tiny mattress - a letter, addressed to her from a local café. Her heart skipped a beat as she realized what it was. The café where she had secretly applied for a part time job had offered her a position. “Did you actually think you could sneak around and walk behind my back?” Lucy sneered as she moved slowly towards Ava, “You, ungrateful b***h. You have no right to make decisions without my permission.” Ava moved backwards, trying to avoid Lucy’s slap, just in case it comes again, “I just wanted to earn some money, to help….” Ava’s voice was low and small,but the truth hung in the air. She wanted to save enough to escape. Lucy’s eyes narrowed, and she took a step closer to Ava, “You think you can escape from me? You think you can leave this house and survive on your own?” Lucy raised her hand to slap Ava across her face, but the sound of Lucy's phone distracted her. Lucy glared at Ava, before answering the call. “What do you want!?” Lucy barked into the phone, her voice suddenly tensed. Ava couldn't hear the voice on the other end, but she could see Lucy's face pale, as the conversation continued. “I told you I need more time.” Lucy hissed, her back turned to Ava now. “I don't have that kind of money right now.” There was a long pause, Ava watched as Lucy’s hand tightened around the phone, her knuckles white. “I said, I'll pay you.” Lucy snapped her voice trembling with a mix of fear and desperation. “Just give me more time.” Another pause, then Lucy's demeanor shifted, her eyes darted back towards Ava, a calculating smile crept onto her lips. “I have an offer for you.” Lucy said, her voice dangerously low, “One you'll be interested in.” Ava felt a chill run down her spine as Lucy's gaze locked onto hers. She could sense something terrible was coming, but she had no idea what it was. “You’ll get your money,” Lucy continued, her tone turning sickly sweet. “But until then, I could give you... something else. One of my daughters.” She’s strong, healthy,” Lucy continued, glancing at Ava with a wicked grin. “She’ll work for you until the debt is settled. I think you’ll find her quite... useful.” Ava felt her legs weaken beneath her as Lucy gave her one last, cold glare. “I’ll bring her to you tonight,” Lucy said into the phone, her tone final.