Enchanting Passion & Retribution

Episode 5

Upon reaching their residence, the Amitons were overwhelmed with a sense of joy, their hearts lightened by the thought that their financial burden would soon be lifted. They had sacrificed so much for this moment, and now, it seemed, the end was finally in sight. Yet, there lingered an unsettling guilt within them. They had rescued Rina from the clutches of certain death, but their motives had been anything but selfless. The idea that the girl they saved would merely be a means to settle their debts weighed heavily on them. They had never intended to let her feel used, but their actions spoke louder than their words.

Mr. Amiton, a man of reason, found it impossible to shake off the guilt. He knew, deep down, that their involvement in Rina's life had been dictated by necessity, but it still did not feel right. It was not the life they had envisioned, especially for someone who had endured so much already. He glanced at his wife, who was also wrestling with her conscience. With a sigh, he spoke softly, "I know what we're doing is necessary, but I can't help but wonder... if we've treated her as a mere transaction. We rescued her, but have we given her a chance to feel something more than indebted?"

Mrs. Amiton, visibly conflicted, nodded slowly. "I think about that too, but what could we have done? We had no choice. I only hope she understands that."

Determined to ease their minds, Mr. Amiton proposed they check on Rina, to see if there was any sign of how she truly felt. They made their way to her room, only to be met by a sight that caught them completely off guard. The room, which had once been dark and dreary, was now splashed with vibrant colors. Paint had found its way across the walls, the floor, and even the bedspread. But the most striking sight was Rina herself—seated on the floor, her brow furrowed in concentration, as she diligently worked on a drawing.

Both Amitons stood in the doorway, stunned, unable to immediately comprehend the scene before them. Rina's artwork was not just a collection of random strokes; it was a portrait of the couple who had saved her life. The lines were delicate, filled with gratitude, a quiet thank you for the second chance they had given her, despite everything.

Rina didn't notice their presence at first, absorbed in the task at hand. When she finally glanced up, she saw their astonished expressions. A small, hesitant smile tugged at her lips, a mixture of emotion and acceptance. She had initially felt the sting of betrayal when she learned the Amitons planned to marry her off to settle their debts. But over time, as she discovered more about their circumstances, her anger had softened into understanding.

"I... I wanted to do this," Rina said, her voice trembling slightly. "To show my gratitude. Even though I was used, I know it wasn't out of malice. You gave me a second chance, and for that, I'm thankful."

Mr. Amiton stood speechless for a moment, his heart swelling with an unfamiliar warmth. He had never expected such an act of grace from someone who had every reason to resent them. Mrs. Amiton, on the other hand, felt a pang of guilt as she looked at Rina, realizing how little they had truly understood her.

"This... this is beautiful, Rina," Mrs. Amiton finally spoke, her voice soft, almost apologetic. "I never thought you would forgive us, not after everything. I..." She trailed off, unable to finish her sentence. She had hoped for this kind of acceptance, but she hadn't dared to imagine it.

Rina nodded, her gaze steady. "It's not forgiveness that I seek. It's understanding. I understand why you did what you did, even if it hurt me. I don't blame you anymore."

The Amitons exchanged a look, both feeling a deep remorse that they hadn't allowed Rina to truly express herself earlier. Mrs. Amiton stepped forward, her hands trembling as she gently reached out to take the drawing. "We can never repay you for this, Rina. But please, let us do something for you. You've already given us more than we deserve."

Rina shook her head, her lips curling into a gentle smile. "This is all I can offer. It's all I have."

Tears welled up in Mrs. Amiton's eyes as she held the drawing close to her chest, as if it were the most precious thing in the world. "You don't know how much this means to me... to us," she whispered.

As they stood there, the unspoken tension between them began to dissipate, replaced by a quiet understanding. The air was thick with unspoken emotions, but for the first time, it felt as though they were no longer merely bound by obligation. In that moment, they shared something more—something genuine.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Amiton couldn't help but wish that Rina's parents were alive to witness the beauty of the drawing, the grace and kindness that had radiated from their daughter, even in the face of such hardship. She wondered if they, too, would have been proud of her, of the young woman who had found the strength to forgive, to see beyond her suffering.

Upon Collins' arrival at the Amitons' residence, he was greeted by a grand spectacle. Six black cars, each flanked by several of his most trusted bodyguards, lined the driveway. The men, his lifelong companions, applauded his arrival, acknowledging him not just as their leader but as someone who demanded respect and admiration. The house was everything Collins had imagined: sprawling, opulent, and silent in its grandeur. Yet, there was an eerie stillness about it—a quiet that made his skin crawl. There was something off about the entire situation, and he couldn't quite place it.

He was supposed to meet Rina, but he found himself preoccupied with the thought of her. Why had the Amitons decided to offer her up as a debt payment? He had heard of such arrangements before, but this one felt different. He couldn't shake the nagging thought that there was more to this story than the Amitons were willing to reveal.

As he made his way inside, he dismissed the unsettling feeling with a shrug. "I'll deal with it later," he muttered to himself, trying to focus on the task at hand. Soon enough, Mrs. Amiton appeared, ready to guide him through the process.

"Your daughter," Collins began, his voice calm but filled with a note of suspicion. "I understand she's part of the settlement?"

Mrs. Amiton's expression faltered for a moment. She hesitated but then nodded. "Yes, sir. Rina will come with you."

A few moments later, Rina appeared, stepping into the room like a vision from a dream. Collins froze for a second, taken aback by her ethereal beauty. She was dressed in a flowing blue gown, with silver accessories that shimmered in the soft light. Her blonde hair cascaded around her shoulders, framing her delicate face, and her ocean-blue eyes seemed to pierce straight through him. For a moment, he was lost in her gaze.

She was, without a doubt, stunning. But Collins knew better than to be swayed by beauty. He had seen enough deception in his life to recognize when something wasn't quite right. He couldn't shake the feeling that this woman—this beautiful, perfect woman—was hiding something.

Despite his awe, Collins kept his composure. "So, this is the girl," he muttered to himself, his tone colder now. "She's the price they're paying to settle their debt."

Rina met his gaze, a subtle flicker of defiance in her eyes. She wasn't intimidated by him, not in the least. This only made Collins more wary, for there was no doubt in his mind that this woman had been through far more than he could imagine. And yet, he couldn't quite figure out her game.

During their journey to Collins' house, Rina sat in the backseat, trying to gather her thoughts. The car ride felt suffocating, and the looming presence of Collins beside her was more than she could handle. The pressure built up in her chest as she realized just how powerless she was in this situation.

She shifted uncomfortably in her seat and suddenly felt the strong, urgent need to use the restroom. But Collins, intent on his own thoughts, ignored her. His silence only made her more anxious. She had to act fast, or she would lose her chance.

Without warning, Rina leaned forward and violently vomited, hoping the display of distress would force him to stop the car. It worked. Collins slammed on the brakes, pulling over to the side of the road. "What the hell is wrong with you?" he growled, glancing back at her with an irritated expression.

Rina took the opportunity to act. She leaped from the car and ran, her sandals slapping against the pavement as she sprinted away. She felt the wind against her face, the rush of freedom like nothing she had ever known. For the first time since her capture, she felt truly alive.

But as she ran, a chilling realization struck her—Collins' bodyguards had already spotted her. The sound of footsteps quickly followed, and Rina's fleeting sense of freedom turned to dread.

She couldn't outrun them.

Reluctantly, Rina slowed, allowing the bodyguards to catch up and force her back into the car. Collins' face twisted with fury when he saw her, his anger bubbling over in the form of a slap across her cheek.

"Where did you think you were going, b***h?" he hissed. "I saw through your little scheme. You can't escape me."

As he gave the order for her hands to be bound with rope, Rina's heart sank. Her escape had been nothing more than a brief moment of hope, quickly extinguished by the harsh reality of her captivity. Collins dragged her back to the car, ignoring her desperate pleas.

The ride back was silent, save for the sound of Rina's muffled sobs. Collins relished in his control over her, the power he held making him feel untouchable.

But even as Rina sat in silence, tears streaming down her face, she knew one thing for certain: she wasn't going to give up. Not yet.