Chapter 1 Prologue
MADISON POV
I got home late at night, on Friday.
You might think that's normal for a 17-year-old girl, but not for me.
I live with my father, who is drowning in debt.
My mother died when I was very young, so it's just him and me now.
I started working as a salesgirl in a small clothing store five months ago to help him pay the bills.
Honestly, he didn't even deserve it; my father is a jerk, and he always beat my mother and me.
The memories I have of her are horrible, always crying and all bruised from the beatings he gave her.
If it were up to me, my father would have been dead a long time ago.
My life has never been easy, despite pretending to everyone that I'm living a fairy tale.
I'm always smiling, but it's just a facade.
I wanted to be a happy girl, I wanted to have a family that loved me, and I wanted to be able to look in the mirror to feel beautiful.
My only comfort is knowing that my mother loved me; she was a true warrior.
I'm very proud of my resemblance to her.
My short black hair and my mouth are exact copies of my mother's.
Sometimes I spend hours looking at myself in the mirror, trying to glimpse something within me that I also resemble him, but unfortunately, what we have in common is the sadness that my father's presence caused.
Today should be a happy day for me; it's not every day a girl turns 18, but I can't feel anything, much less any excitement.
I have no one to celebrate with; the gift I'll probably get from my father will be more debts to pay, so what reason do I have to be happy?
Adulthood might make a difference in other people's lives, but mine will continue to be a mess; the worst that can happen is that I sink even further.
I just can't imagine anything worse than what I'm already going through.
However, when I opened the front door, I saw my father and two men in the living room talking.
Since they haven't seen me yet, I stay outside, listening to their conversation.
There are likely some of the countless men, whom my father owes money.
Luca, you know you're in deep trouble; you know my history, you know that when I show up it's because things are really bad...
You owe our boss a lot, and in my opinion, she's been too lenient with you already, so, if you don't pay me now, your debt will be settled with blood!
Your blood!
No, please........ please, my friend, I have something for you.
I have something much better than money, I'm sure you'll like it.
It will bring a lot of profit to your boss.
Lucas, you're not in a position to make offers.
But this isn't just any offer, when you see it, you'll agree with me.
I hope you're not trying to fool me; your situation is dire, and you don't want to see me angry.
"No, no, I don't want to and I won't irritate you," my father said, and I could clearly feel his growing fear.
So tell me, Lucas, what's your proposal?
Let's see if your "ace up your sleeve" will save your miserable life.
I'll give you my... as payment.
As I leaned closer to listen, I ended up bumping into the door and missing the last word my father spoke, drawing the attention of everyone present in the room.
They look me up and down, assessing every part of my body.
I feel naked under their stares, suddenly, the tallest and strongest one breaks the silence that has settled in since I entered:
"Is she your daughter, Lucas?" he asks.
Yes, it's her.
She's Madison, didn't I say she is beautiful?
Perfect for what you need.
Wait a minute, what are they talking about?
I need to double-check, we have top-quality merchandise, Lucas.
Let's see if your daughter meets our standards.
I understand almost nothing of what they are saying, but it was enough for fear to take hold of me.
The word "merchandise" didn't appeal to me at all.
However, I remain standing where I am, and the man approaches, circling me as if he were assessing my body.
He stops in front of me.
When he runs his finger across my face, I pull away, but one of the men in the room stands behind me, making it impossible to escape his touch.
He runs his hand through my hair and brings it to his nose, inhaling my scent with a long sigh.
His thumb lightly brushes against my lips.
I close my eyes, become completely frozen.
He lowers his hand, moving it towards my breasts.
At that moment, I can no longer remain silent.
Don't touch me! I yell.
The man steps back and smiles looking at my father and says:
Yes, she's perfect! So, it's a deal.
We'll take her and your debt will be paid.
"What's going on here, Dad?" I ask, my voice trembling with fear.
Daughter, I'm sorry, but I received an offer I couldn't refuse.
You'll go with them, and my debt will be paid.
"Are you telling me you sold me?" I ask scared.
Yes - he said, lowering his head.
I can't believe it, I was so angry, disappointed and I was crying because my only family sold me.
"You're not taking me anywhere!" I yell, before trying to run away, but a muscle stops me.
"Going somewhere, young lady?" asks a muscular man, blocking my way to the door.
He holds me tightly, and I try with all my might to break free from his grip; pulling and kicking the man, but I couldn't.
"You're a bastard, you don't deserve to be a father, you son of a bitch who deserves to die!" I yell angrily, looking directly at the man who raised me wanting to devour him like a lioness.
He said nothing, as if my words did not affect him.
"You'll be more useful there than here, Madi," he said, as if that was perfectly normal.
I no longer consider this man standing in front of me to be my father.
I'm not going anywhere, I was screaming for someone to hear me, to save me from this situation.
Before I could scream more, I was slapped so hard that it affected my ear.
I could barely hear what he was saying, and I stopped screaming to avoid being beaten next, but still sobbing.
And I was beginning to hear something else in my ear, like a long, ringing tune.
I thought my eardrum was no longer working well.
"Nice meeting you, princess, but now we have to say goodbye," the man said, pulling my hands with force.
He takes something out of his pocket and sprays it in my face, blurring my vision; then I pass out.