Billionaire Redemption

Chapter 16

Ayra’s POV

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It’s been two long weeks locked in this room. Two weeks without feeling the sun on my skin. Two weeks of silence from Aurelian—my messages never delivered.

Still, I cling to hope. After all, today is the day Leon Kael will cut the ribbon to officially open the new fashion hub. The auditions for new faces start tomorrow, and the excitement outside is impossible to ignore.

I stood in front of the mirror wearing my finest cloth. It was a little worn, but it was the best I had. I sighed, eyeing the outfit—no matching shoes, no earrings, nothing to complete the look.

I’d probably look like the least glamorous person there. The thought made me sink onto my bed, worry creeping in as I stared at the ceiling. Would I even get in looking like this?

I pulled out my phone and started scrolling through videos flooding the internet. Camera flashes lit up the gigantic building Leon was about to open.

I watched as he arrived, calm and collected, his presence commanding the crowd’s attention. His handsome face, I couldn’t help but gush silently, then sigh. My dad wasn’t here right now, and maybe, just maybe, this was my chance.

Leon spoke to the media about helping the industry grow, about opening opportunities for fresh faces. Then he walked over and cut the red ribbon, officially marking the beginning of a new era. Cameras followed him as he entered the building, high-profile guests allowed inside while guards held back the crowds.

I watched all this, a mental note forming in my mind: I have to see him tomorrow—at all costs.

Suddenly, my thoughts flickered to the clothes Marla wore. She always had good things, and in abundance. If I could take one without her noticing... maybe I could make it there looking like I belonged.

A small, hopeful smile crept onto my lips as I stood near the door, pressing my ear to the window, listening for footsteps.

Marla always had the best clothes—plenty of them, too. If I took one, would she even notice? A small, hopeful smile tugged at my lips as the thought crossed my mind. I stood close to the door, pressing my ear against the window, straining to hear any footsteps. Then, I caught it—heavy footsteps moving away from the house.

“Maybe Marla’s not home after all,” I muttered under my breath. I hadn’t heard her voice since last night when she’d come to call my dad. My heart thumped faster as I whispered a silent prayer, hoping luck was finally on my side. I unlocked the door slowly, careful not to make a sound, then tiptoed out into the quiet hallway.

I tested one foot, then the other, moving gently and steadily toward my dad’s room. When I reached it, I pressed my ear against the door. Nothing. No voices, no movement. Relief washed over me. I slipped inside and headed straight to the wardrobe, fingers trembling slightly as I searched for something that would fit me.

Finally, my hand landed on a beautiful cloth—deep emerald green with delicate gold embroidery. The fabric was soft, and when I wrapped it around me, it fit perfectly. I smiled quietly to myself, locked the wardrobe, and started heading back toward my room.

But then... I stopped. I heard a sound—a low moan, followed by hushed grunts. It was unmistakably Marla’s voice, but it wasn’t coming from anywhere near her usual place. Curiosity gnawed at me, pulling me toward the far end of the house, near the storeroom.

I crept closer, heart pounding, and the sounds grew clearer. Marla was there, but the noises weren’t those of my father. My chest tightened with confusion and a flicker of unease.

Suddenly, heavy footsteps pounded down the hall, quick and urgent. I froze, caught off guard, and before I could move, a cold voice sliced through the air behind me.

“b***h, you finally came out,” my dad spat, his voice dripping with venom.

I spun around, heart in my throat, to see him standing a few meters away, eyes burning with rage and his lips curled up. Panic bubbled up, but I forced a shaky chuckle.

“Hey, Dad,” I said nervously, my mind scrambling for an escape.

Without waiting, I bolted toward my room, slammed the door shut, and locked it behind me, gasping for breath as my heart hammered in my chest.

I pressed my back against the door, trying to steady my breathing. My hands trembled as I gripped the edge of the wooden frame. The silence outside was almost suffocating, but every second felt like an eternity.

“Open this door, Ayra,” his voice came again, low and dangerous. “You think you can just sneak around in my house like a thief?”

I swallowed hard, panic rising. I had no idea what I was going to do next. My eyes scanned the room, looking for anything—anything—that could help me.

The small window was too high and too narrow, no chance of escape there. The only way was through that door.

But I couldn’t go back out there, not yet. Not when he was waiting.

A sudden memory flashed through my mind—Leon Kael. His piercing eyes, his strength, the hope he represented. Tomorrow was the audition. Maybe... just maybe, tomorrow was my chance to finally break free from this nightmare.

I took a deep breath and sank onto the bed, clutching the emerald cloth close to my chest. “I have to get out,” I whispered to myself. “For me, for my safety, for my future, for everything.”

Outside, I could hear footsteps pacing, then fading slowly down the hall. For now, I was safe. But tomorrow—tomorrow was the real fight.

**

I was scrolling through my phone, my heart skipping with excitement and dread for tomorrow—Leon Kael, the fashion hub, the auditions. Evening had settled outside, and I could hear the faint noises of life beyond my window.

Then, a loud, guttural voice cut through the quiet.

"Ayra!"

I flinched, my chest tightening. Footsteps thundered down the hall, and the banging on my door made me jump.

"Open this door now, or I’ll break it down!" my father roared.

Panic surged through me, my hands trembling. Then, Marla’s voice floated through, calm and mocking:

"Why did you have to bring home a man, Ayra? And you had the audacity to throw the used condom in the sitting room!"

My eyes widened in confusion, my brow furrowing. I pieced it together—the incident with her and that man. My father hadn’t caught them; they’d thrown the condom on the floor. Marla had shifted the blame entirely on me.

I cursed under my breath, pressing my hands over my mouth to stop the scream that threatened to escape

.I heard the gruff shuffle of my father’s feet, and then the banging resumed, harder this time. My eyes darted around the room, searching for a place to hide, or maybe a way to escape. The window was there—but isn’t it too high?

I glanced at the door lock. It was starting to give.

"I just knew it," my father spat, his voice venomous. "You came into this world to take, not to give! All you do is take—my money, my food, and now your stupid d**k!"

Tears streamed down my face. My hands shook as I tied my bed sheet to the window ledge, my stomach twisting in fear. I swallowed hard, my heart thundering in my chest.

"Open this damn door, Ayra!" he thundered again.

I gritted my teeth, clutched the makeshift rope, and climbed out the window. My eyes flicked to the door just as it splintered under his force. My father stood there, three large men at his side, Marla watching from the back with a smug smirk.

"Do you really think you can jump from that height?" my father scoffed.

Marla’s voice cut through. "You even stole my cloth? Is that what you used to seduce the men you bring here?"

I froze, panic choking me, but there was no time to think. My father barked at his men to grab me.

Sliding down the sheet, I looked down—and my heart stopped. The bed sheet didn’t reach the floor.

"Bring her!" my father shouted, his gaze fixed on me, Marla at his side smirking cruelly.

I closed my eyes, bracing myself, and leapt. My body hit the ground with a sickening thud, my head smacking a stone. Pain shot through me, my vision swimming. I tried to stand, staggering, the world around me doubled and spinning.

Then a hand yanked my hair. Another landed across my cheek—a slap so hard it sent my senses spiraling. Darkness crept in from the edges of my vision. I stumbled, falling, my scream cut short.

And then… everything went black.