The Bargain
Elera sat at the edge of the dining table, her fingers twisting into the hem of her dress until her knuckles turned white and she felt she was gonna bruise.Her eyes shifted to the family portrait on the wall, her mother, and Gerald, all forced smiles in stiff poses. It had always looked off. Like something pretending to be a real family. Still, she'd stared at that picture a lot growing up, hoping maybe things would change.
She used to believe they might.
She remembered one afternoon when she was about eight her real dad had taken her to a theatre play downtown. Just the two of them. They got ice cream afterward, and he'd told her she could be anything she wanted. She'd held onto that for years. She'd even dreamt of becoming an actress. Not for the fame, just so she could become someone else for a while. Someone brave. Someone loved.
And there was one time Katherine had hugged her. It was years ago, right after Gerald moved in. Elera had fallen and scraped her knee badly. Katherine didn't yell at her for crying like she usually did. She sat beside her on the bathroom floor and held her. Elera had believed, just for a moment, that she mattered.
A voice cut sharply into her thoughts.
"You re marrying him"
Her stepfather, Gerald William, stood at the far end of the room, arms folded, pacing with deliberate calm. Her mother, Katherine, sat next to him, a glass of wine in hand, watching Elera with something between boredom and disdain.
"You're marrying him," Gerald said, his voice final, heavy, the kind of tone that left no room for questions.
"I'm…what?"
Elera blinked slowly.She must have heard wrong.
"I said you marrying him,"Gerald turned to face her,with a frown across his face. Adrian Wolfe. He's agreed. The contract is sealed. The ceremony will be in 2 days time.
Her stomach turned violently. Adrian Wolfe the cold, calculating billionaire with eyes like ice and a heart rumoured to be colder. She'd seen him once, at a charity gala Katherine had dragged her to. He hadn't spared any of those fine,wealthy, sophisticated ladies who had tried grabbing his attention a glance that night,and she knew that because Chloe her younger sister wouldn't stop talking about that night,He hadn't even known she existed. And now she was being offered up to him like she was an item that can be sold and bought.
"You can't be serious"
she said. Her throat was tight, dry. "You can't just… sell me off like I'm some…
It's not selling,Katherine cut in, finally lifting her gaze from her wine. It's securing your future. And ours. Don't be dramatic.
Elera stood suddenly, the chair legs scraping against the marble floor. You didn't even ask me! You never ask me anything!You can't just trade me off like I'm some problem you need to get rid of.
"Lower your voice," Gerald snapped. Do you think I wanted this? We're drowning, Elera! Our Family's company is on the edge.
Oh, so it's our company now? she fired back, blinking back tears.
Ignoring what she had said,he continued,We needs Wolfe's investment, and Wolfe needs a bride. A legitimate one. You're the solution!
Then find someone else!
There is no one else, he said coldly. Your sisters are too young, too unruly. And your mother... well, she's not exactly bride material.
Katherine gave a light laugh, unbothered.
You're quiet, obedient, and frankly, you're lucky. He could have asked for worse.
Elera shook her head, tears burning behind her eyes. You don't care what this does to me. You never have.
Katherine stood now too, walking around the table, the click of her heels sharp. Spare me the theatrics. We gave you food, shelter, a name. This is how you repay us? Throwing a fit like a spoiled child? Don't be selfish Elera!
I'm not a child,Elera spat. I'm a person.
You're a responsibility,Gerald corrected. One I'm cashing in. This isn't a negotiation.
Elera's voice broke. What about what I want? What about my life?What bout my Studies?
He only looked at her, eyes empty. "You don't get to have one. Not anymore and about your school,that's up to Adrian.
She felt like the floor had fallen out beneath her. Her chest caved inward. Her mother simply sipped her wine again, turning away.
The walls closed in. The gilded mirrors. The suffocating silence. The way neither of them looked sorry.She suddenly felt like throwing up.
She needed to get away from there,from them,she ran to her room.The only place she can find solace.Her safe space.
Her room was small, tucked away from the rest of the mansion. It was hers only in theory Katherine had picked the wallpaper, Gerald the bed frame. Nothing had ever been hers.
She slammed the door shut and locked it. Then she fell slowly to the floor,her back against the door,her knees cuddles up against her chest,head on her knees.
"It's not fair," she whispered to no one.
She wanted someone anyone to care.
Tears streamed silently down her face. She cried the way she always had. Quietly. So no one would hear and tell her to stop. So no one could use it against her.
She thought of her sisters, laughing downstairs, her sisters were probably watching TV, laughing like nothing was happening. They'd never be offered to a stranger like this. They were Katherine's true daughters. Pretty, spoiled, adored.
Elera had always been the ghost. The placeholder. The name they remembered only when they needed someone to blame or sacrifice.
And now Adrian Wolfe would own her.
She didn't know him. But she knew his reputation. Cold. Unforgiving. Ruthless in business and disinterested in emotion. A man who bought and sold companies like board game pieces. Who ruined competitors without blinking. Who could break her without touching her.
She stood slowly, walked to the window, and stared out. Night had fallen. The stars were hiding behind the clouds.
I wont fall in love with him,she whispered aloud. I'll survive. I'll outlast it. And then I'll disappear."
It was a promise to herself.
And as the night deepened, and the weight of her fate settled down like a stone in her stomach, Elera held onto that one, fragile vow and cried her self to sleep.