The words on the screen blurred as Emilia's eyes became teary.
"Emilia, we need your help. Your brother's school needs the fees by tomorrow, and you know the amount is really much. Your dad's treatment bill is overdue as well." The message read.
And Emilia could feel her mother's desperation through the message.
"Why... Why now?" She whispered, clenching her fists tightly.
"The thought of asking Victor for anything now is making my stomach churn." She sniffled a bit.
"But my father's life depends on his monthly treatments, and the cost is crippling. My brother's education? Equally important. I can't possibly allow him to drop out of school..." She analyzed in her mind and tears streamed down her face.
She wept, biting her lip to stop the sobs from escaping her throat. But as she heard the sound of approaching footsteps, her head snapped up.
"He is back..." She mumbled and her heart raced. She quickly wiped her tears, stood up, and leaned against the wall, ignoring the pain shooting up her leg and arm.
The door opened, and Victor stepped in, holding a glass of wine. His cold eyes scanned her briefly before he moved toward the sofa in the room, to sit down.
"Didn't I tell you to clean that mess immediately?" He snapped at her.
Emilia swallowed hard, her voice shaking as she began to speak.
"I...I'm sorry..."
"I'm sorry for how I acted at the party. I didn't know you would find it humiliating." She continued, stepping closer to him. Her legs trembled with each step, but she forced herself forward.
Victor sipped his wine in silence, acting as if he didn't hear her.
"I didn't mean to make you feel embarrassed. Please forgive me." Emilia continued, softly but still didn't get any response.
Her hands trembled as she clasped them in front of her.
"I-I will make it up to you. Tell me what you want me to do. I can cook something you like...or anything that you need, just—" She was saying then Victor dropped his glass and finally turned to face her. His expression was blank, but his eyes held a glint of mockery.
"Do you admit you were wrong?" He asked.
Emilia hesitated. Her pride rebelled against the words she was about to speak. But the image of her father lying weak in a hospital bed crushed that pride.
"Yes." She whispered.
"I didn't hear you." Victor said, raising an eyebrow. Emilia cleared her throat.
"Yes, I was wrong." She said louder, her voice shaking.
Victor stared at her for a moment, his lips curling into a smirk. He chuckled, low and condescending.
"You are bad at this, Emilia." He said and chuckled, taking up his glass again and sipping the wine slowly.
"What do you mean?" She asked, feeling confused.
He adjusted himself on the sofa, setting the glass down.
"You think I don't know what this is about?" He asked, narrowing his eyes on her and chuckling dryly.
Emilia's eyes widened slightly, panic flashing across her face.
"It is obvious. You want something." Victor pointed out and Emilia's breath skipped a beat.
"I don't—" She had just begun.
"Don't lie to me. You need money, don't you?" He interrupted sharply.
Emilia's lips quivered as her face flushed with embarrassment. She looked down, twisting her hands together nervously.
Victor let out a mocking laugh.
"Of course, you do. It is that time of the month again, isn't it? When you come crawling to me, pretending to be the perfect little wife?" He asked, glaring at her.
"No, it is not like that. I..." She tried to talk again but got cut off with a wave of Victor's hand.
"Spare me the act. Just say it." He snapped with impatience.
Emilia swallowed hard and took a second before she could reply to him.
"It is for my father's treatment...and my brother's school fees." She stated slowly.
"Oh, how predictable!" Victor exclaimed and laughed again, louder this time.
Emilia stayed silent, not knowing what to say. However, her silence only fueled his mockery.
"You always come to me for money, every single time yet you wouldn't know to behave yourself." He said, his tone filled with disdain.
Emilia gritted her teeth, her head bowed in shame.
"When you knew you were going to come for money now, why didn't you act like I wanted you to, at the party? Does being rebellious to me gives you a kind of thrill I don't know about, huh?" He asked and scoffed in annoyance.
"Well, since you have refused to behave well, there is nothing you will get from me." He stated firmly.
Emilia gritted her teeth harder until she felt pain.
She wanted to snap that if he only he had allowed her to work after school, she wouldn't be so dependent on him, but she knew he would counter that by reminding her he sponsored her through that school and had the final say.
"Please forgive me... I promise to behave accordingly, henceforth." Emilia said lowly, feeling so ashamed of herself.
"Well, I have nothing to lose if I swallow my pride but if I don't, I would have my father to lose." She thought to herself and slowly went on her knees before him.
As if that was what he had been waiting for, a triumphant smirk made its way onto Victor's lips.
"Huh. Okay, but it is not just about promising to behave well. You seem to always forget something important." He told her.
"What?" She whispered, daring to look up.
"Nothing is free. You should know I want something in return too." He announced coldly.
Her heart sank.
"You know that, don't you?" Victor asked, tilting his head, watching her closely.
"Yes." She replied, her voice trembling.
"And you are ready to pay the price?" He asked, his tone soft but menacing.
Emilia's lips quivered. Her hands shook as she gripped the fabric of her dress.
She didn't answer because of the dread that had frozen her body, as she knew what the price was.