Chapter 1 Farewell

Dear Reader, Before you start this story, I would like to warn you about its content. I do not recommend it to people under 18. Besides its steamy scenes, the entire storyline could be disturbing. If you are okay with that, then have fun reading it!

Alice

I rushed out of the building of the skater’s training room, trying so hard to leave the club without crying. 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 coaches had been beside me for many years, but leaving my best friend, Lucas, was the hardest. We had skated together since we were four years old.

We competed at our first Junior Championship, and since then, we have always appeared in competitions. We tried to skate in pairs a few times and 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 after me. I turned around to see him running toward me. His blonde hair was messy, and his blue, moist eyes mirrored his sadness.

He tried to catch his breath. I knew he had been in love with me for a while, and I thought about him more recently as I considered becoming his girlfriend. He was the only boy I ever got closer to, and I liked him a lot. I could fall in love with him, perhaps later.

However, it was too late to consider starting a relationship with him. I knew arguing with my stepfather could 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 an American university 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, kissed his cheek, and hurriedly got into the vehicle.

I chose a seat on the other side of the bus. I knew watching his sad figure standing there, hoping I would change my mind, would break me completely.

I wiped my tears and tried to see the familiar view through my moist eyes, but I could see nothing.

I got off the bus one stop before our street. 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 had made dinner for all of us, but I strolled to the dining room and sat down. Three plates of cooked meal awaited us.

I was not surprised to see my stepfather sitting there already.

I hated him. He never touched me. I hated him for the years of mental abuse that he tortured me with and for the mental and physical harm he hurt my mother with that caused her illness.

But now, after he ruined my future, I feel like I could torture him to death. I did not move at all when I heard his voice.

“Alice, I talked to the Sullivans about you. They do not mind if you continue ice skating and accept your request to study at a university. They said you are free to choose one, and they will pay for it.”

I didn’t answer him. He remained quiet while my mum sat down as well.

“I am sending you to 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 cutlery 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. I wish we had.” he sighed painfully.

And that was enough. I felt like my anger would kill me if I remained quiet. I stood up suddenly and slammed 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 stepdaughter. Is this what you raised me for? To sell me when you are short of money?”

I shouted at him while my hands were shaking.

“Calm down, Alice. You will get everything you want, and the debts and favours I own for those people 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. Finally, Charles turned to me.

“You are going to have a good life,” he stated.

“A good life? Do you think I’m so stupid that 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!” I shouted. "Can you hear me? You are a loser, a jerk. I won’t let you make money using me. I have my life and career, and I will continue my life here. Even if I need to go to the police station to make a report of you.”

I pointed at him, but fear stopped me from speaking 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 my weakness to him.

“Shout up, you little bitch! You are leaving tomorrow. Don't make me repeat myself if you want to stay in one piece!”