The Enemy I Loved

I couldn’t believe the words coming from my uncle’s mouth. How could he gamble with my life like it was some cheap bet? I stood frozen, tears streaming down my cheeks as he casually signed the papers with a pen that sealed my fate. “How could you do this to me?” I choked out, voice breaking. “You sold everything my inheritance, my future and now you’re handing me over to a stranger I don’t even know?” He didn’t flinch. “It’s the only way to settle my debts,” he said flatly. “You’ll marry Sebastian Valerio. He’s powerful. He’ll take care of you.” “Debts?” I snapped, my heart pounding. “You’re using me to pay off your gambling debts? Are you even hearing yourself? You’re selling your own niece to a man you barely know?” My voice rose with each word, trembling with disbelief. “What about my dream? I just got admitted to law school! What happens to that, huh? What about everything I’ve worked for?” “You’ll have to give that up,” he said without emotion. “Forget about becoming a barrister. Focus on being Mrs. Valerio.” I stared at him, stunned. “All you care about is yourself,” I whispered, my fists clenched. “Since my parents died, you’ve taken everything from me my home, my inheritance… and now my life?” He turned away, unmoved. “You’re wasting your time. Sebastian is already on his way to get you. The deal is done.” I blinked, my chest tightening. Sebastian is coming here? My skin turned cold, and a sharp shiver ran down my spine. That couldn’t be possible. This couldn’t be real. I collapsed to the floor, clutching his leg desperately as tears streamed down my face. “Uncle, please... don’t do this to me,” I begged, my voice trembling. “I don’t want to marry someone I don’t even know. What if he doesn’t love me? What if he treats me like a slave? Please, Uncle, I’m begging you.” He shook me off harshly, his face expressionless. “What about me?” he snapped. “You want him to kill me instead? I gambled, I lost and the only valuable thing I had left to offer was you. If I didn’t give you to him, I’d be dead. Then you really wouldn’t have a family anymore.” I stared up at him, my heart pounding with confusion and disbelief. Was this really my uncle? My father’s brother? Could someone so cruel be part of my blood? A million thoughts raced through my head. I am Iris Williams. Once the cherished daughter of the Williams family spoiled, protected, loved. Until everything was ripped away the night my parents were murdered. Since then, I had lived under the roof of the only relative I had left: Uncle Maxwell, a man who had gambled away my father's legacy. The company. The house. Everything. Now, he was handing me over like property to a man I had never even met. And just when I thought my dream of becoming a barrister of finding justice for my parents was finally within reach. I had just been admitted to one of the top law schools in Italy. My future was supposed to begin. But instead, it was ending. I looked at him, my voice hoarse. “Are you really my uncle?” I whispered. “Why are you so heartless? Sometimes I wonder... were you the one who killed my parents?” He let out a cold laugh. “You think I killed my own brother? Believe whatever you want,” he said with a smirk. “But you're still getting married to Sebastian Valerio. Maybe after that, you can keep playing detective with your little revenge fantasies.” “I hate you!” I screamed, the pain clawing out of my throat like fire. “I hate you!” But he was already walking away unbothered, unmoved, and unapologetic. And I was left alone, broken on the floor, watching the last piece of my world disappear. "I need to escape," I muttered to myself, voice shaky with desperation. "I can’t allow my life to be treated like a commodity to be exchanged." The thought of revenge, of uncovering the truth about my parents' death, burned deep inside me. I wouldn’t let my uncle stand in the way. I had to get out now. Without wasting another second, I rushed upstairs, heart pounding, and began packing my things one by one. My hands trembled as I folded clothes, zipped up the bag, and shoved in whatever little was left of my life. I breathed heavily, wiping away tears each time they threatened to fall. “I can’t let him use me,” I whispered. “Never.” When I was done, I grabbed my bag and came downstairs. The sitting room was quiet, almost too quiet. As I reached for the doorknob, ready to flee, a voice boomed behind me. “Where do you think you’re going with that bag?” My heart nearly stopped. I froze. Fear gripped every inch of my body. I didn’t turn around. I couldn’t. Not now. I flung the door open and bolted out. "Catch her!" my uncle shouted. I heard hurried footsteps behind me his and the house help’s. I dropped my bag, running faster than I ever had in my life. My legs ached, lungs burned, but I couldn’t stop. Not now. Then I saw it. A sleek black Rolls-Royce parked near the entrance gate. And standing beside it was a man tall, composed, powerful. He was handsome in a terrifying way, with a sharp jawline, broad shoulders, and dark hair slicked neatly back. His piercing eyes met mine cold, unreadable. He didn’t move. I looked behind me. My uncle was getting closer. I had no time. I turned to the man, heart pounding, breath ragged. Something about his presence screamed danger… but I had no one else. I ran straight to him, desperation in every step. “Please... help me,” I pleaded, gripping his arm. “My uncle is trying to sell me.” I closed my eyes, praying begging God silently that this stranger would be the one who saved me.