**

Some scenes in this chapter may be harsh for the reader.

———

A beautiful yellow dress fell right above Violet's knees. A wide grin was plastered on her lips as she hugged the woman who made her the dress.

"Thank you!" She squealed and pulled away from the hug. She twirled around so that her dress was flowing through the air.

"Your welcome dear, today's a very special day." Dola smiled and softly patted Violet's face. "I still can't believe that you're eleven years old today! Time flies as children grow up." Violet laughed and sat down on a metal chair that was positioned behind her.

"I'm eleven, I'm growing up!" She giggled and looked around her view that consisted of a breathtaking sunset. Dola grinned at Violet. "Yes you are... I'm heading in now, would you like to come along or stay out here for a while?"

Violet turned her head towards Dola and shook her head. "I'd like to stay out here for a while Mrs Hayes." Dola nodded and began to walk away from Violet and into the house. "Okay sweetheart. Come inside when you're done."

Violet nodded her head and stared at the sunset with a sigh escaping her lips. This was beauty she thought. The cold evening breeze brushed her face and her eyes closed on their own. But that was the biggest mistake that she made that evening.

Two shadows lurked behind one of the pillars of the house. One was holding a rope and duct tape too tightly that their hands began to tremble. The other one was keeping watch on Violet's figure, muttering bitterly to her accomplice. "I'll sneak up on her and when I say go, I'll cover her mouth and you tie her hands."

Christy smirked wickedly at her stepsister. "This time she won't escape. She'll suffer horribly like she deserves to." Christy crept forward and out of the shadow quietly, her eyes glowered as she approached Violet.

Christy glimpsed back at her friend and glared at him cause he didn't step a foot forward. He didn't want to do it, he didn't need to. But he had to, for the sake of his own reputation amongst his friends and that only lied in the hands of Christy. She could ruin his image if he didn't help her sick plan. He could get bullied by Christy, just like Violet, and he didn't want that.

He told himself that he would be okay, that it would all be over. He just needs to tie Violet up and Christy would decide what to do next.

Adrian trudged up till he was standing beside Christy. She nodded at him and motioned with her eyes to get ready in position. He defeatedly clutched onto the rope and stared at Violet's hands, a nasty feeling consuming his heart.

Meanwhile, Violet lay still on the chair unaware of the upcoming disaster. Christy leaned down until her face was level with Violet's, she scoffed. "Happy birthday, princess."

Violet snapped her eyes open at that exact moment the words left Christy's mouth, but was too late to react against her stepsister.

Christy yelled a go, before harshly slapping her palm against Violet's mouth. Adrian had grabbed ahold of Violet's hands and held them behind her back, before she could struggle against his hold. "Tie it!" Christy whisper yelled at him as he frantically fumbled with the rope and tied it around Violet's wrists.

Violet's screams were muffled as she bit into Christy's palm and kicked her legs helplessly. "Give me the duct tape." Adrian handed Christy the tape as she unraveled and tore a piece of tape with one hand and stuck it onto Violet's mouth.

"You little b*tch." She snarled whilst wincing at the red bite mark on her hand, then glanced at Violet with a smirk playing on her lips. "You'll pay."

Adrian and Christy both carried Violet from the chair and back into the shadows, where a few meters further would be a backdoor that would lead them out of the house.

Violet tried to scream and break free off her captors' holds, but it was no use. Her hands fell weakly at her sides as tears brimmed her eyes.

This was her birthday gift.

———

Violet's POV

Angry teardrops soaked the papers of the contract that was in my hands. I felt my heart breaking and my hands fisting the papers. I didn't know whether I should've been happy or sad to find this contract.

The papers of my marriage contract. A distasteful truth was unraveled to me today about everything.

I was pouring a glass of water for myself in the kitchen when I glimpsed at an untidy stack of papers on the dining table. I didn't want to interfere them cause I knew they probably belonged to Adrian but I couldn't stop myself from flickering through them. There where a few personal forms and contracts which I presumed related with Adrian's photoshoots.

But there was a specific booklet that caught my eye. The booklet was old and black ink was scribbled across the cover. I knew instantly what it was.

I signed it months ago, forcefully without any idea as to what it had in store with the exception that it was a marriage contract. Now I had the chance to look through it.

Adrian left a couple of hours ago for some work he needed to attend to. I assumed that he accidentally left the stack of papers on the table before he left. I had the perfect chance to investigate the contract without getting caught.

I quickly paced up the stairs and into my room, where I sat on the edge of the bed that faced a sleeping Alora within her crib. I opened the first page of the booklet and allowed my eyes to read the sentences.

The next few pages were full of rules and at the end two signatures were required. Both Mr and Mrs Hayes had signed it. My blood ignited in anger, how could they arrange this contract when I was unaware of this? And with their son who they knew bullied me severely. I continued to read the booklet as my eyes frantically searched for the answers to the questions that I've masked.

Reading on, my mom and stepfather singed the contract alongside Mr and Mrs Hayes. They just signed my life away. What was I to expect anyway? My parents would do anything to get rid of me. Maybe that's why they kept me with them instead of abandoning me.

But it didn't make sense, why did Mr and Mrs Hayes plan this contract and why did my parents agree to it? I felt betrayed and hopeless. I couldn't believe that all of this was being organized when I was only eight. No one cared about me.

But when I continued to read the contract, I was even more mortified.

: :

Adrian Hayes. Violet Cherie.

My mouth dropped open in horror. $200,000? This contract was a deal from the start. I was a deal. It all made sense now, my parents had agreed to this contract because of money. No wonder they stopped me from reading this booklet that day.

Mr and Mrs Hayes arranged for a marriage between Adrian and me for the exchange of money. My parents would've certainly agreed to this contract. I flipped the booklet over and threw it at a wall. For a few moments, I sat on my bed with my hands interlocked and breathing heavily.

They did this to me for money.

I fisted my hair in my hands and jumped onto the bed. I screamed and the sound thankfully was muffled by the pillows that I dipped my face into, or else Alora would've woken up. I began attacking the pillow by punching at it.

Those people who are my family, are cruel and disgusting. I was no stranger to their abuse but I never knew that they would stoop this low to use me.

I sobbed into the pillow and stopped punching it. Why? I never asked for this. I sat up on the bed and pulled my legs to my chest, tears leaked through my eyes. Everything was so messed up. Adrian knew about it the entire time, about the contact and it's filthy deal.

Hearing Alora stirring awake through my cries, I got up from my seat and walked over to her crib. Her eyes were slightly open and a yawn escaped her mouth when I approached. I leaned down and grabbed her in my arms, then walked back to my bed. "Mama..." Alora mumbled and hugged my neck with her small arms.

I tucked both of us into bed and brought the blanket up to my shoulders. I felt tired, tired of life, tired of lies and tired of myself. I kissed Alora's forehead when she smiled at me. "I love you." I said and hugged her closer to me. I'll confront Adrian once he returns.

About everything that he hid from me.

———

It was afternoon by the time I had woken up. The sky was disguised with gray clouds and looked as if it were to rain in any moment.

A depressing day for a depressing truth.

I pushed the curtains together and spun around in my spot. My eyes landed on Alora who was on the bed, examining her hands closely and muttering gibberish. I strolled over to the bed and perched on the edge.

My hand caressed Alora's soft hair. She turned her head toward me and giggled. "Mama!" Squealing in excitement, she crawled into my lap and nestled herself. I chuckled at her energy. Words couldn't describe how happy I felt to have her around me. We built such a strong and pure connection between us.

I'm her mother and she's my daughter.

I smiled at Alora as she drooled all over her clothes. Everything she did made my heart warm, she was truly mine. A few minutes passed by of us playing with each other and a lot of giggling. Suddenly, I heard a rattling sound echoing throughout the house and it was followed by a creak. I sighed as I knew who it was that arrived home. Adrian.

I slowly stood up and placed Alora in her crib, diverting her protests by a kiss on her cheek. I debated on whether I should confront him about the contract right then or later. I had zero confidence within me and to confront Adrian would be a struggle. Maybe I could just leave it and discuss about it when I'm more confident. But I ignored that thought.

What was the point in hiding?

I deserve to know what happened. This contract was about me and I had no clue it was made when I was a child. I cleared my throat and glimpsed at Alora, who was laid on the mattress and her eyes were closing. I knew that Alora would have to be asleep when I would confront Adrian or else she would get startled.

I decided to do it, I'll confront him.

I walked to the wall where the contract laid on the ground. I picked it up and glanced at it briefly. A sour feeling penetrated through me. I made my way to my door and switched the lights off, except a bedside lamp that provided enough light to see.

With determination mixed with anger, I stormed down the stairs with the contact in my palms. I first looked into the living room and when I realized that Adrian wasn't there, I moved toward the kitchen.

His back faced me as he scuffled through the stack of papers on the dining table. I laughed internally, he was searching for what I found. But I was in no mood for laughing. This was the time for everything to be revealed about this contract.

Adrian had slumped his shoulders and stopped searching through the papers when he realized that he couldn't find the contract. My breath hitched when he turned around. He jumped in fright when he saw me. "V-violet... you scared me." He smiled but I was blinded by anger to notice it.

I glowered at him and slammed the contact on the dining table. I watched as his eyes followed my hand to the contact that lied underneath. My chest was heaving up and down. Adrian stared into my eyes, his own were swirls of confusion.

"What is this?"

I demanded and I saw the immediate widening of his eyes. His mouth hung lose, dumbfounded. He regained his attention and gulped. "W-what?" I clenched my palms into a tight fist, his reaction was adding to my anger level. I picked up the contract from the table and held it in front of him.

"What is this, Adrian?"