Chapter 1 Selling my innocence

• Aril's POV
• “Uncle, please…I need money.”
• My voice trembled as I stood at the threshold of his luxury penthouse, hands clenched in front of me. “Mom and Atlas got into a car accident and they are in the hospital. They need surgery. I have no one else to turn to.”
• Uncle Marcus leaned against the doorframe, a crystal glass of amber liquid in hand, silk shirt unbuttoned just enough to show too much. His eyes dragged over me slowly, too slowly, and the unease in my stomach curled tighter.
• “Well, well. Little Aril finally comes knocking.” He stepped aside to let me in. “Come on in, then. Let’s talk.”
• I hesitated—every instinct in me screamed not to move—but I stepped over the threshold. I had no choice.
• Three years ago, my cheating father dumped us in this foreign country three years ago, he didn’t even bother to register us.
• No ID. No healthcare. No rights.
• There was only one person left to ask.
• Uncle Marcus.
• My dad's brother was the only familiar person in this strange country, but I’d also been avoiding Uncle Marcus for months for quite a different reason.
• Something about him made my skin crawl, the way he looked at me when he thought no one was watching. But Mom and Atlas were dying, and I couldn't think about that now.
• Back in his penthouse, I hovered just inside the door, arms folded tightly over my chest. The space around me gleamed—polished floors, leather furniture, and towering windows that looked out over the city skyline.
• “I don’t have anywhere else to go,” I said quietly.
• He walked to the bar and poured himself another drink, not even offering me water.
• “That’s a lot of money, Aril. How are you going to pay me back?” He smiled at me, and everything about it made my pulse rise with trepidation.
• “I’ll pay you back. I’ll work extra shifts. I'll give you back your money, whatever it takes,” My voice cracked on the last word because there was still just one thing I wouldn't do. I couldn't even think about it without wanting to puke in disgust.
• He moved even closer, his expensive shoes silent on the marble floor.
• “You’ve grown up since I got here. You're eighteen now, right?”
• “Yes, but…” I took a step back, wanting to set more distance between us, but his smile only stretched further on his lustful gaze. My back was flattened against the door now, I had nowhere to go. All thoughts fled from my mind except for the rapid terrified beat of my heart.
• “Your father owes me. Years of watching over you and your mother.” His fingers drummed against my thigh, trailing upward “I never got paid what I deserved.”
• He leaned forward, his breath hitting my face, and I could smell the alcohol that made my stomach roil with nausea.
• “Maybe you can start paying me back.” His hand reached out, his fingers cold against my waist.
• “Uncle Marcus, please…” I tried to pull away, my disgust and hate must have shown on my face because his expression turned even more cruel
• “Don’t call me uncle.” His grip tightened around my waist and his other hand touched my face as he attempted to kiss me “You’re not a little girl anymore.”
• I pushed harder, but he was stronger. He pressed me against the door, his body trapping me.
• “Stop,” I whispered, my voice breaking with tears of anger and humiliation. “Please.”
• But he wasn’t listening. His hands were everywhere. I couldn’t breathe. I opened my mouth to scream.
• The slap came fast and hard, snapping my head to the side. My cheek burned with pain.
• “Scream and your mother and brother die,” he hissed, his face twisted with sick pleasure. “Is that what you want?”
• Tears streamed down my face. He smiled at them, like they made him happy.
• “That’s better. Much better.” His voice was soft now, gentle, which made it worse. “Your mother doesn’t need to know. Our little secret.”
• Something inside me snapped. I brought my knee up hard, right between his legs. I slammed his groin as hard as my strength allowed.
• Uncle Marcus’s face went white. Then red, his mouth opened in a loud shriek of pain.
• He doubled over, letting go of me and clutching himself,
• “You little bitch,” he gasped, his voice high and tight with pain. “You…”
• The rest of his words were a muffled blur.
• I yanked the door open and then ran.
• I didn’t stop running until I was blocks away, my chest burning from lack of oxygen. My hands wouldn’t stop shaking, my cheek still stung where he’d hit me.
• I found an alley and sat down, trying to catch my breath. My wrist still ached where he’d grabbed me. I could still feel his hands on me, his breath contaminating my face.
• What was I going to do? Mom and Atlas were dying. I had no money. No options left, tears spilt down my cheeks hopelessly.
• Was this how I was going to lose the only people that mattered to me?
• It was already night, and the alley was less busy, I watched as people walked past, going home to their families, but mine were fighting for their lives and depending on me to save them.
• I pulled out my phone with trembling fingers, no missed calls. No miracles. Just my scared face looking back at me.
• “You look like you’re having a rough day.”
• A voice spoke, and I looked up, wiping my eyes quickly. A woman stood in front of me. She was well-dressed and looked to be around middle-aged. She had kind eyes, but her smile felt wrong.
• “I’m fine,” I said, trying to sound stronger than I felt.
• “You sure? You look like someone who needs help.”
• “I don’t have money.” I pulled my knees to my chest. Why couldn’t she just go away and leave me to my grief?
• She laughed softly as though I had just insulted her. “I’m not asking for money. I’m offering it.”
• I stood up slowly, meeting her gaze. Everything within me screamed to walk away, but she just mentioned money.
• “What do you mean?”
• “I know people. Rich people.” She stepped closer, her eyes raking my figure in a way that made me feel too exposed.
• “People who pay very well for… companionship. I’m sure you already know that you’re a very beautiful girl,” she said, pulling out a business card and holding it between two manicured fingers.
• “There’s a gentleman looking for someone special. You look pure. I’m certain he’ll like you.”
• Then she paused, eyes narrowing slightly as she studied me more closely.
• “Tell me,” she said, voice lower now, almost curious. “Are you a virgin?”
• The question hit me like a slap.
• My breath caught in my throat, shame and panic twisting inside me. I didn’t answer, but she didn’t seem to need one. Her smile widened, satisfied.
• “I thought so,” she said smoothly. “That makes you worth even more.”
• I stared at the plain white card with just a phone number.
• “How much?” The words tumbled out before I could stop them.
• “Fifty thousand. One night.”
• Fifty thousand.
• I stared at her in disbelief.
• This was exactly what I needed. Was this a miracle in its sickest form?
• “I…” I couldn’t speak, my throat was tight.
• “Think about it,” she said, pressing the card into my palm. “But don’t think too long. He’s only here for tonight.”
• One night. Fifty thousand dollars. Mom and Atlas would live.
• I looked at the card through my tears, the number blurring.
• What choice did I have?
• My uncle had wanted my body; it was better that I sell it to a complete stranger. No name, no complications. Everyone would simply go their separate ways.
• I clenched my fists and finally made up my mind.
• “Deal.”