"He was my boss and my colleagues and a few debt collectors of my father." For some reason, telling him that her father was one of them and that he wanted to have her felt too humiliating.
"Your father?" The words felt strange. Why? Did he think she took birth from an egg and did not need a father? Looking at the confusion on her face, he cleared his throat. "Your father sold you to those men?" Aah! So he was shocked about this.
She understood since it was not normal but it was not so uncommon in this town. But sleeping… She looked away and noticed they were already closer.
"Take a left from here." Dion nodded reluctantly. So, the girl had no idea about her heritage. She had believed in the couple she was living with while they could be the ones who had stolen her. Or… had adopted her when she was thrown away.
He was grateful that she looked away so she did not notice the mix of emotions on his face.
"Master… the carriage could not go in." Dion stared out of the window and then at the startled girl who looked grim for some reason.
"Well, the lanes are too narrow. It is normal for a carriage to not pass. You should not be disheartened about it." He offered a smile that was rare for him. For some reason, he wanted to cheer her. No, he wanted to compensate her for things she had lost. But would a smile be enough? And… who was he to compensate?
The thought struck him. He was not a knight in shining armor who had come to save a woman. No, he was a businessman who had come to sign a deal here.
His heart thudded thinking about the possibilities she could bring for him. His future could take a much better turn. He did not need to worry about investment for his work, his reputation, and all the power she could bring.
"I know. I have already anticipated this. I am afraid that you will run away the moment I leave the carriage." Her honesty took him by surprise and he realized how innocent she was in his comparison.
He would run away?! "No, I am already here with you. Am I not? I will wait for you and your MOTHER. So go and bring her. Take your time but if you do not return in an hour, I will come looking for you." she nodded, looking relieved while she should be wary of him. He already had plans for her.
He opened the door for her, "And do not face them alone. If they are here, call me." she forced a strained smile on her face again as she nodded. Her shoulders looked stiff and her face was exhausted.
Her walking posture was strange too. As if she was limping rather than walking. But he did not move from his place or extend a hand for help. He kept staring at her as if still trying to process what had happened.
Abi felt like her whole body was on fire. Every muscle of her body was broken and every ligament had been detached. She could hear the cracking of her bones when she walked. She was so busy to notice that she was way more injured than she had fathomed.
But only a small part of her journey was left. She would go and fetch all the valuables with her mother and leave this cursed town.
The thought gave her new strength and she entered her house. To her relief, it was empty. She hurriedly made a bundle of all the things she had collected on her bed before leaving as she called for her mother.
"Mother, I am back. I have found the rich bloke you have written a letter to. He is here to help us. Who is he though?" she shouted hard, relieved that no one was there to listen to her.
The houses were only separated by a thin wall and the neighbors might hear her and inform her father. But she would be long gone before he returned. For once she did not care about her neighbor, drunkard Jack before speaking.
But her mother did not reply! Which was common so she did not mind it. She packed a few of her clothes and her mother's too.
"Mother, I know you are sick. But we need to leave before they return. We have to go on a long journey." she shouted again as she packed the single jewel her mother had, a pair of beautiful earrings. She sighed and smiled as she looked at the small bundle she had made.
This was the first step to her freedom. With that, she went to wake her mother up.
"Mother, it is not time to sleep. You should hurry up," she called with a sigh as she nudged her mother but her body stilled when she touched her mother.
Her eyes widened and horror registered on her face.
"Mother... Mother. Are you okay?" she shook her hard this time as she felt the coldness of her skin.
When she did not reply, Abi touched her mother's wrist but she was not sure how to look for a pulse. So she leaned on the chest of her mother and tried to listen. But there was no heartbeat to listen to.
Her eyes started to water and her heart started to thump so hard in her chest. Fear, pain, confusion, agony, and rage. All came at once and Abi lost her composure.
She shook and slapped and hit her mother's chest with all the strength left in her body.
"Mother, we have come so far. You have shown immense strength. Do not fall now, mother. You are so strong. Mother… someone is here to help us. We will be free from this cursed life. Come with me, mother. Do not leave me alone. You can not leave me alone, MOTHER!!!!!!"