OUR MARRIAGE DEAL

BE

r. It was nine o'clock at night, the rain was pouring down hard, and the sound

d softly, his voice trembling.

ard, like a hammer knocking on a coffin. Mom held my hand

ying to sound brave, but I could t

ng a deep breath before opening

is face as sharp as a knife, and h

bigger, more sinister, like shado

voice sounded soft, too s

softness that mad

o collect yo

back. "Vincent, I... I need so

nterrupted, stepp

trick. Three months, more than enoug

just need a

ent chuckled, but the

sharp, and

hat, I wouldn't be where I am now," h

ho was beginning to tremble. I wanted to step fo

ight someone

t pay their debts?" Vincent asked as he walk

iry tales, but I can give

his voice desperate. "

gh like a whip. He turned to me and

t stop beating

all smile, but his smile was cold

nvolved. But it's up

hispered, his voic

then sighed softly, like som

! I'm already waiting for you to ta

stepping out, and I felt his ga

athing ragged. Mother was crying softly next to me, while Father just

ce trembled. "What

his face with his hands, as if trying to h

. Vincent is not a man who gives mercy. And I feared that, n

you back," Father's voice sound

than a direct threat, replied, "And I told you, Mr.

Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Father's sligh

the other, his hand playing with a glass filled with a

hat someone like Vincen

ve me more time,"

pay half in a few weeks," Father cont

ound like a knife tryin

now my world doesn't work like t

. I don't have

t his body slightly,

ll have somethin

used for a moment.

e as Vincent turned his head, h

bumps s

eeking, he smiled a s

ftly, each word like a dagg

op beating after hear

If your debt is not paid, she can work

d to stop. I felt my bloo

ep in and slap the man across th

king surprised. "Vince

plied in a light tone, like he was

hurt her. But you know my world, Mr. Herma

" Father said, hi

er on the shoulder with a smil

for your decision until tomorrow. But if there i

le was enough to make me feel lik

re I was. He motioned for me not to come into the

room. I was honestly scared, but I

y voice was b

his eyes red,

on't know w

w it's not just Dad's fault. This is Vincent's grip,

, Father," I say fina

ther way out. W

way out would be full of thorns, a

r drum, and what I saw ins

nc

o large men behind him, their hands grippi

ed, but his body was t

d you come here unannounced?!" I shou

hat cold smile still

someone who owes me money. Yo

to speak, his vo

e time. I h

," Vincent cut in, his

This isn't about money anymore, M

ody trembling, but I

t a debt, collect me!

is mocking tone mak

ot a negotiation. I've come to take it, an

break free, and one of the big men

old man,"

ng the man with all my might. But his body

Father, his br

time facing Vincent w

I won't keep quiet. I'll repo

from mine. His dark eyes stared at me in

ouch me? The world doesn't work t

p my spine, but I didn

do whatever

t, one of the big men was already p

ing now," t

ing to pull Dad back, bu

fight back, but that only

last chance. With all the strength I had, I grabbed the

e, and Father managed to escape briefly, but Vincent immedi

a," he said i

nother voic

him

in her hand. Before anyone could react, she swung the

of the confusion to pull Father behind me, wh

said firmly, my voice begi

g him, I will comply with your re

ber

o happen to you. You're sick.

g," Vincent says, making

ond, looking as if he was think

Marry me so I can qualify for the co

as he go