𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏

Life and hell are so similar yet so different. There are demons and monsters to chase you and make you pay for your sins and in our lives there are monsters who commit their sins. Like Michael Amber, the CEO of Amber Industries poking his nose everywhere and making everyone's life hell, aka my father.

He called me in the basement, so obviously he's going to hit me or force his decision on me. I wrap my hands around my waist as the basement is really cold.

"You are marrying Adrik Volkov," he says as he enters the basement with a scowl on his face.

"No, " I replied.

"That wasn't a question, Grace."

"Neither was my answer, Father. " I answered, staring into his deep green eyes.

"What do you think of yourself, huh? You little shit." My father's words echoed in my ears, piercing through me like a knife. His anger was palpable, and I could feel the tension in the air. I couldn't understand why he always acted like he knew the best when in reality, he was a terrible father. The way he treated us, his own children, was unacceptable. At the age of twenty-six, I question the fact that he is even our father. I had lost count of how many times he had lashed out at us, and I knew my brother had heard the argument. It was clear that something was wrong with him, but I couldn't quite put my finger on it. All I knew was that he needed to stop.

"Your daughter and you were the one who created this little shit. " I said, trying my best to keep my cool.

"What are you trying to say, huh? ," he said as he marched towards me.

"It's pretty apparent, Father," I said, still maintaining eye contact. He might hit me, but that never scared me. He's a beast, and his power is fear, which I don't allow him to have.

"Shut up," he said, slapping me hard.

"Get lost. All you can do is beat me," I said, trying to stand again.

"Oh dear, the man you're going to marry will be your worst nightmare," he said with a frown, slapping and pushing me. My head hit the floor, and my vision became blurry. He grabbed me by the neck, lifted me to my feet, pushed me against a wall, and squeezed my neck tightly.

"You're nothing but a little piece of shit under my command," he said. He squeezed my neck hard enough that I couldn't breathe anymore. I tried my best to hold back my tears, but a traitor finally escaped.

" Adrik will be here in some time, get ready and cover that wound on your face with some makeup." He said leaving the basement without even sparing me another glance.

I wiped the tear with the back of my hand, sniffing. I sit on the cold floor hugging my knees. How can such a person be even called a father? I can bet twenty grand that the humanity in him never existed. He just forced a decision on me by hitting me. What does he even think of himself?

I tried to get up, but the pain in my face and neck was too much. I wondered if Adrik Volkov would be as cruel and abusive as my father claimed he was. Would he hurt me like my father did? Or would he be different? I don't care if he is cruel or not, I won't let him lay a single finger on me. I can't avoid Michael touching me but Adrik. No, not him.

I couldn't help but feel a sense of hopelessness wash over me, just like that night, in this same basement. I had never felt so trapped in my life until that night and today, The thought of being forced to marry someone I didn't even know made my skin crawl.

But then, as I sat there, I began to think about what my options were. I couldn't just sit back and let my father control my life like this. I needed to find a way out of this situation, and fast.

I knew that Adrik Volkov was supposed to arrive soon, but I didn't know when exactly. So, I decided to try and gather as much information about him as I could. He could be from the Russian or Irish mafia as my father described him. He seemed cold, just like the mafia men. A shiver rolled down my body at the thought of mafia men. Ignoring my thoughts, I began to recall any conversations I had overheard about him from my father, but they were always brief and never really gave me any insight into his character.

I tried to think back to any interactions I had had with him, but I couldn't remember ever meeting him before. I don't know what to do, I've never felt this helpless.

Feeling helpless, I finally let the tears fall, as it was too much.

I couldn't remember the last time he had hugged me or told me that he loved me. It was as if I didn't exist to him, except when he needed to use me for his own twisted purposes.

But now, I had to face the reality that I was going to marry someone who could potentially be just as cruel as my father. I didn't know but at any cost, I'm protecting myself from this Volkov, no matter what happens.

As I sat there, lost in thought, I heard footsteps coming down the stairs. It was my brother, Kai. He looked at me with concern in his eyes, and I knew that he had heard the argument between my father and me.

"Are you okay?" he asked, kneeling down beside me. He is also cold and distant just like my father but he hates violence and especially our father. I sometimes think that Kai would be just like Michael, but the way he treats me chases away my thoughts.

I shook my head, tears streaming down my face. "I don't know what to do.," I said my voice barely above a whisper. Kai is the only one who has seen me crying and broken since that night.

He put his arm around me, pulling me into a hug. "We'll figure something out. Don't worry," he said, his voice filled with determination.

I felt a glimmer of hope inside me, knowing that I had someone who cared about me and was willing to fight for me. Together, we would find a way to escape my father's grasp and take control of our own lives.

But first, I had to face the reality of marrying Adrik Volkov, a man I didn't even know. I wiped away my tears and stood up, ready to face whatever was coming my way.