Chapter 1 Farewell Alice
I rushed out of the building of the skater's training room, trying to hold back my tears of goodbye. They were so nice to me, like always. I have got a beautiful necklace from my team to remember the time spent with them.
It was so hard to leave. My trainers were with me for three years, but to leave my best friend, Lucas, was the hardest. We have skated together since we were four years old.
We competed together at our first Junior Championship, and since then we always appeared in competitions together. We tried to skate in pairs a few times, and we got used to each other quickly. Our trainers said we could try to compete like a duo, but I was happier as a solo figure skater.
"Alice, wait."
I closed my eyes when I heard him shouting. I turned around to see him running after me. His blonde hair was messy and his blue eyes were full of sadness.
He gasped for air. I knew he felt more towards me than friendship and I was thinking of trying to be with him recently, as he was the only boy who I ever got closer to, and I liked him too. I thought I could fall in love with him perhaps later.
But to think about that was too late. I knew arguing with my stepfather would end up badly, and I would be the victim, not him. I had no choice. I had to go.
"Didn't you think about staying? There are so many good universities in Montreal. Why do you think the USA is better?"
I could not answer him in words. I just stepped closer, hugged and kept him tight.
When I heard the bus was coming, I let him go; I kissed his cheek, and I got into the vehicle hurriedly.
I sat down on the other side. I knew I could not watch his sad figure through the window. That would have broken me completely.
I wiped my tears, and I tried to watch the familiar view, but I saw nothing.
I left the bus one stop earlier than I should have. I wanted to walk a little, hoping to clear my mind, but I was still in the same state when I got home.
When I stepped in the front door, I heard my mum.
"Alice, is that you? Come and eat dinner."
I did not say a word. I was not even sure she made dinner for all of us for real, but I just strolled to the dining room and sat down. There were three plates of cooked food awaiting us.
I was not surprised my stepfather had sat there already.
I hated him; He never touched me. I hated him for the years of mental abuse that he caused for me, and for the mental and physical harm he caused for my mother.
But now, after he made this decision, I felt like I never want to see him again. I did not move at all when I heard his voice.
"Alice, I talked to the Sullivans for you. They do not mind if you continue ice skating, and also they accepted your request that you want to go to a university. They said you can study anything you want." I didn't answer him. He stayed quiet while my mum sat down, too.
"You shall have a good place, Alice. They are one of the wealthiest families in Los Angeles. They are going to give you everything that we never could."
While he continued, I put my cutleries down. I needed to hold myself back from speaking up.
He sighed, while I felt his gaze on me.
"You know that we have no other choice."
And that was enough. I felt like if I would not let it out, my anger would kill me. I stood up suddenly, and I hit the table.
"Charles, are you aware of what you have done to me? How dare you say that you had no other choice? I'm your step daughter. Is this what you raised me for? To sell me when you are short of money?"
I shouted to him, shaking with anger.
"Calm down, Alice. You will get everything you want, and my debts and favours I own for them will be paid off. This agreement is beneficial for both of us."
"What have I got to do with your dodgy businesses? Why me? Are you aware that you are forcing me to get married? Are you aware this is against my will? This is my life, for fuck's sake. My career, my dreams, all that hard work since I was little was in vain." He just looked away, like he did not care. I looked at my mum, who lowered her head. Eventually, Charles turned to me.
"You are going to have a good life."
"A good life? Do you think I'm so stupid I can't see what this is all about? Who the hell buys a human being nowadays? Do they need my internal organs? Do they want to use me as a prostitute or a house slave?" He laughed this time.
"Where did you get that from? You'll be a member of their family. They are going to take care of you."
"I'm not going anywhere. Can you hear me? You are a loser, a jerk. I won't let you get money out of me. I have my life, I have my career and I am going to continue my life here. Even if I have to call the police to help me." I shouted, but I had to stop, as he stood up and dragged me to the wall. He held my neck. I felt like crying, but I did not want to show that to him.
"You are leaving tomorrow. Don't let me repeat that if you want to stay in one piece."