I sit on the bed in a room that feels as unfamiliar as it is intimidating. In my old home, I never had my own space-I always slept on the floor, huddled in a corner. But here, I'm in a large room with a bed so huge it could fit ten people. Its soft pillows and neatly arranged sheets should be comforting, yet they only remind me of how trapped I feel.
I never wanted to be here. The moment I signed that document, I lost something precious-I lost control of my own life. Now, I must live in this house with a man who not only broke my heart but also shattered my world. How can I share a home, and even a life, with the man who ruined everything for me?
That man is Asher Black-a dangerous man with money, power, and a reputation that sends shivers down my spine. I curse the night I met him because it was that very night my life was forever changed.
Do you want to know how it all began? Before I tell you about that terrible night, let me introduce myself and explain the life that led me here.
My name is Mirabel Pierce. I lost my mother when I was just five years old. Life without her has been cold and lonely. To make matters worse, my father-lost in his own sorrow-brought home his mistress, who came with a daughter. Once, I had known joy and laughter. But everything turned dark after my mother died. I often wished I could have died with her, escaping the cruel world I was forced to live in.
After her death, my stepmother treated me as nothing more than a servant. I was expected to do all the chores, cook meals that never tasted right, and clean every inch of our home. If I failed, punishment was swift and brutal-an iron belt leaving marks on my back that I hide from everyone. Each scar is a painful reminder of a past I'd rather forget.
To support myself and keep up with school, I started working part-time jobs. That's how I ended up at a small motel one fateful night. I was nearly finished for the day when my manager, overwhelmed with work, asked me to take care of a guest in room 13.
I remember standing at the door of room 13, knocking softly. After several tries, the door creaked open. Inside, the room was so dark I could barely see a thing. I carefully placed a drink on a small table and turned to leave.
Then everything changed.
As I was walking out, I felt a strong arm grab me. For a split second, I thought the guest might need help with something. But my hope quickly turned to terror when he pushed me onto the bed. My heart pounded, and fear took over. I begged him to stop, my voice shaking as I pleaded for mercy-but my words were lost in the overwhelming darkness of that room.
He ripped my clothes away as if they were nothing, and I found myself screaming for help. I cried out as loud as I could, but no one came to my rescue. When he realized that my screams were growing louder, he struck my face hard to silence me. I struggled desperately, but he was far too strong. In that unbearable moment, I was forced to submit to everything he wanted, and I felt my life slip away from me.