"I am not going to let you hurt my father. I will do whatever it takes to protect him from you," I said bravely, despite feeling weak inside

Liam, the feared mafia lord, looked at me intently. "I see you're brave," he said. "I'll let you defend him, but in exchange…"

My heart skipped a beat for the unspoken threat.

"You will be my pet for a year!"

My heart pounded in my chest as Liam's words hit me like a punch in the gut.

"Do you agree?" His cold eye bore into mine.

I swallowed hard, trying to compose and act cool, "Yes, I agree"

"Take her to the guest quarters. She'll stay there until I decide what to do with her," Liam ordered, his tone dismissive, as though I had already become just another piece of property under his control.

"No, I am going to walk myself; I am not handicapped," I said, trying to inject confidence into my voice.

Liam watched me speak with confidence.

As one of the men stepped forward to lead me away, I cast one last glance at my father, who was unconscious on the floor. This was the price of his safety, and I would pay it, no matter what.

As we got there, the design and interior of the room looked so beautiful. But when I was dragged inside the room, it looked like a room pig had been living in for days.

"This is not the room I am going to stay in, right?"

"When you see him, you can ask him about that" the man sneered before exiting the door.

I was having difficulty breathing "No! I am not going to stay here"

I tried opening the door, but before I knew it, I fell asleep.

****

"Get up," a harsh voice jolted me awake. It was commanding, leaving no room for argument. "You're not here to sleep." As I opened my eyes, it was clear to me that it was Liam who's standing in front of me

The reality of what I just got myself into hit me like a ton of bricks. This was my life now, under the control of a man whose power and ruthlessness knew no bounds.

"Get up" he repeated, his voice cold and commanding.

My body obeyed before my mind could catch up. I pushed myself, my legs trembling as I stood before him. His eyes traveled over my body like I was an object.

"This is how it works, wait… what's your name?"

"I am Rachel"

"You said you would be mine, so I own you now!" He stepped closer, my mind screaming at me to run. "What's the matter? You are brave enough to strike a deal with the devil, but you are afraid to honor it?"

I swallowed hard, "What do you want? Tell me, I'll do whatever you want?" I said in a lower and shaky voice.

"Good" he murmured, his thumb tracing the line of my jaw, "Then prove it"

My breath hitched as he pulled me closer to him, his other hand sliding down my arm, sending shivers down my spine.

He kissed me possessively. His hands roamed my body, exploring, demanding and I couldn't help the tears that welled up in my eyes. This wasn't love, it was control, dominance and I was powerless to stop it

"You belong to me now" he whispered as he pushed me to the bed. There I realized it was the beginning of hell.

***

It was the next morning I decided to leave where I was staying and watch the sunset.

As I was stepping out, I could hear faint, pained murmurs as I approached a heavy metal door.

When I opened it, the sight before me made my heart drop. The room was dimly lit, with barred cells lining the walls. Inside them were people—prisoners, their bodies bruised and broken, huddled on the cold, dirty floors. Some looked barely conscious, while others stared blankly into the distance as if hope had long left them.

My mouth was wide open as I watched them groan in pain.

"Oh! Please, what's going on here?" I said, scared.

One of the prisoners, an older man with deep cuts on his arms, looked up at me, his eyes dull with pain. "You're not supposed to be here," he rasped, his voice hoarse from thirst and suffering.

I swallowed hard, trying to steady my trembling hands. "I didn't know... I just heard the noises and—" I took a deep breath, forcing myself to stay calm. "Let me help you."

The man shook his head weakly. "There's nothing you can do. We're already dead."

"No, you are not dead! When there's life there's hope. You can be healed, the pain will vanish. All you have to do is to have faith; Faith is whatever you hope for and the evidence you have not seen. Having faith and hope is what's important"

"You will get punished if you are caught here" Another prisoner warned.

I moved closer to them and helped them with their wounds.

Before I knew it, I saw Liam standing from afar and watched me do that.

I was so scared, but I continued.

Despite the fear gnawing at me, I moved closer to them and began tending to their wounds, my hands shaking slightly. I couldn't just walk away.

As I worked, I suddenly became aware of a presence. I looked up and saw Liam standing a distance away, he was watching me with cold, unblinking eyes.

Fear gripped me instantly, but I forced myself to continue. I couldn't abandon these people, even under his scrutiny.