“What are you going to do to her?”
The moment the words left his mouth, I immediately imagined scenes of family infighting, rebellious teenagers running away, or elopements.
The elderly man, sitting in the main chair, looked utterly innocent.
“What do you mean? I’m just inviting my granddaughter–in–law for some tea. I’ve brought out the best tea for her.
11
Ben froze.
“Calvin, I understand you have a girlfriend. But can’t I just take a look at her? Why won’t you let me meet her?”
At this, Ben fell silent. He lowered his gaze and quietly took my hand. His finger gently traced across my palm, a teasing touch.
“Sh–she’s not my girlfriend yet.”
This time, the old man also went quiet.
Then, as if he were a salesperson, he began to sell me his grandson.
“Miss, do you have any concerns? Calvin is a good catch. When he was a child, he always got perfect scores. And look at his looks–top–tier, right? Most importantly, you don’t need to worry about money with us. Our family is loaded. I know you young folks don’t care much about money, but I’m sure you know you can’t do much without it
Before he could finish, Ben cut him off.
“Grandpa, how about you mind your own business? I heard you’ve been messing around with the opera troupe again. Go watch your opera and stop worrying about my girlfriend.”
Before I could even ask Ben how I became his girlfriend, he grabbed my hand and started walking out.
He pulled me along a path of white gravel, winding past a few water features.
We arrived at a small building that looked elegant and ancient on the outside.
1/2
+25 BONUS
Chapter 15
Why did I say “on the outside“?
Because the inside was incredibly modern.
“This is my room. My family comes here every year to escape the summer heat.”
Ben led me inside, then sat down on the bed, looking up at me. After a moment, he took my wrist and rested his head gently against my stomach.
His voice was low and muffled as the air conditioner hummed in the background. His grip on my wrist felt oddly soothing.
“Jennifer, when I was about seventeen, I was targeted on my way home. The person who kidnapped me was the owner of a bankrupt company we had acquired. His daughter couldn’t handle the shame of her family’s fall and ended her life. He lost it and thought it was all our fault, so he kidnapped me for revenge.
“For a while, I was drugged, and my mind was foggy; I could barely hold on to any clear thoughts. When I wok up, I was in a completely unfamiliar place. From the little I could remember, I guessed I’d been sold to the No… Mulbane área. I recall the relentless heat of the sun and the leeches in the water.
“At that point, my mind was still clear enough to realize I was being treated like livestock–beaten and forced to do menial labor. I kept trying to reach out to my family. You know me–I’m not the type to sit around and wait. During that time, I convinced nearly everyone who was sold to work there.”
Chapter 16
Chapter 16
لا
الله
خلف
الحملة
الم
