Chapter Five

Mia stared at the cracked roof of the shed. She knew it was morning judging from the stinging rays that came through it. Her hands wrapped themselves around her legs. She had long gotten used to the smell of blood and rusted iron in her. She had been in this she'd for as long as she could remember. The chain on her wrists hurt her hand so badly but the worst thing she could do was complain, it could get her killed.

She stared at the cracked roof again, her mind drifting off to her daughter's beautiful face. What was she doing now? Has she had her breakfast? Is she still being forced into hard labour? A lump formed in her throat as Olivia's pretty smile flashed in her mind. Mia pulled her trembling hands together and prayed for her daughter's safety. She prayed for her freedom and their happiness as well. All she wanted was to hold her daughter and be with her forever.

The door creaked open and she dropped her hands on her thighs, dragging her torn and worn out dress over the thick cuts on her thigh. It didn't do much, but it hid some of them. The pain was not something she was afraid of. She had gotten used to to the point where her body felt numb after the first few whips. She waited patiently to hear her husband's voice but it never came.

" Mother..." Mia jerked up when she heard her daughter's voice.

Olivia stood before her with a container of food and a bottle of water, like always. Her daughter knelt in front of her and began opening container.

" How are you my dear?" Mia asked her quietly.

Olivia smiled a bit and began feeding her mother. Mia obediently took it all. If it made her daughter happy the so be it.

" It was fine." Olivia sighed. The silence that followed after was a comfortable one, but Mia could sense that her daughter had something to say.

" Mother, what if I told you that I have a way to set you free? To set us free?" Olivia peeked at her from under her eyelashes.

Mia quirked a brow.

" Our Freedom?" That would mean they would live their lives peacefully. It was a dream come true.

" Yes. I have a way to set you free. Father has agree do it." Olivia said, her head hung low.

Mia stared at her daughter.

" And what have you chosen to sacrifice for this?" Mia sighed. She knew the man she was married to. There was always a catch. Olivia avoided her mother's gaze.

" I'm getting married." She finally said.

" I do not approve of that. That man is cruel and will destroy you Olivia. I can man-"

" No mother. He's being honest this time. I promise. The man I'm getting married to also doesn't like father. He's sweet and caring and I know he'll take good care of me. I swear." Olivia cut her mother off rather desperately.

" Are you sure?" Mia stared into her daughter's blue eyes. Olivia nodded silently. She wasn't going to tell the entire truth but she knew Alexander wouldn't hurt her. Mia pulled Olivia into a hug and they remained in each other's embrace for a while. Their freedom would mean their peace and joy. Could they really give that up?

" Alright, I believe in you. Please be careful though. That man is a crook and he plays very dirty." Mia caressed her daughters hair until they pulled apart.

" Now please leave before he comes. He won't be very happy." Mia kisses her daughter's head.

As always, Olivia felt the lump in her throat form as she stood up. She hugged her mother one last time before leaving through the window. Mia watched her daughter leave. Once out of sight, she crawled to the far end of the shed and let the hot tears stream down her face and the sobs escape her lips freely. She prayed and prayed for her daughter to have the best in life.

~ ~ ~

" What?!" Alyssa screeched as she listened to what her father and Alexander discussed.

" You heard me right. I'm taking Olivia with me today. Right now." Alexander repeated firmly.

" You can't let this happen dad-"

" Quiet down Alyssa! He's made his decision." William yelled, startling his daughter. Alyssa huffed and stormed out of the room, banging the door loudly.

Alexander leaned into his chair impatiently as his eyes searched for his wife-to-be.

" Where is my wife, William?" He frowned.

" Right here, Mr Payne." Olivia responded, walking into the room in an orange floral dress that stopped above her knees. She looked very pretty, Alexander thought.

" Mrs Payne, I'm going to need you to read through this contract and sign here please." Alexander's lawyer, presented a contract to her.

Olivia took a seat and read carefully through the paper. There were a few rules which she learned could be adjusted over time and she was fine with it. She noticed her father's signature a little spaces away from where she was supposed to sign and frowned. Why did he need to sign the paper?

Not giving it too much thought, Olivia signed the contract and handed it to the lawyer who gratefully accepted. Alexander exhaled deeply before getting up.

" That's done. We'll be leaving now. William, I hope you'll respect the contract and yourself by abiding strictly to the rules. I do not want you near me or my wife, my property or anything that has to do with me. I won't hesitate to bring you down. Understood?" Alexander said calmly.

William nodded, cowering slightly under Alexander's cold gaze. Olivia was slightly amused by the interaction.

" Let's go. " Alexander grabbed her hand and led her where his car was, outside the house.

" Are you prepared?" Alexander asked once they left.

Olivia yanked her hand out of his grip as they neared the car.

" Your girlfriend already hates me, Mr Payne. Don't make this hard for me." Olivia said, getting into the backseat.

Sure enough, Alexander spotted his newest you glaring daggers as Olivia through the rearview mirror. Olivia didn't seem to care as she had already lost herself in her own world. A smirk curled his lips as he started tye engine.

He had definitely found the right person.