The en-suite was different from when she had first encountered it. Nothing about the room itself had changed. She wasn’t the same person she was when she been first acquainted with this space. The garden tub invited her in. After the last two days, she could certainly use it. Will wasn’t due for a while yet, so she figured she should take her time. The overwhelming number of knobs and dials weren’t going to intimidate her this time. She poured copious amounts of bath oils and bath salts to the tub, and opened the faucets.“Ha,” she chuckled to herself. “That wasn’t so hard.” Her body melted once she climbed in to her fragrant, heated sanctuary. ​ Every time she thought she had overcome her problems, life threw more at her. First she needed $50,000 because her step mother had sold her. Now, it was more money than she ever dreamed of owing anyone. A pang of guilt sprang in her chest. Her father had gotten into the accident because he wanted to see her. Had she been a better daughte

Emma stared at the contract in shock. This was the last thing she expected. He would own her for six months. She truly had sold herself to him. A tornado of emotions swirled within her. The flew around her, each as strong and demanding as the next. As much as she hated this, and him, there wasn’t a choice. She’d be free of her debt to him, and he also promised to pay her father’s medical bills. ​ She picked up the fountain pen, and signed the document. ​ “Take this,” he said with a phone in his hand.​ “A phone?” she asked as she took it from him.​ “You need to be available on this phone to me at all times. If I call, you respond.” He dropped his towel, and Emma felt her face get red. Just moments ago she’d fantasized about that towel falling. Will walked over to the closet and selected a suit. Much to Emma’s dismay, he got dressed.​ “But what if I—”​ “If I call,” he repeated. “You respond. There will be consequences if you don’t. I’ll be by your school tonight

“It won’t happen again,” Emma grumbled. She leaned her head against the window. The smooth hum of the car, the warm seat, and her depleted energy levels eventually lulled her to sleep. Will noticed that she had fallen asleep. He thought about waking her, but decided against it. She’d need all the energy she could get. He had decided that Emma needed a reminder of why no one else was supposed to touch her. ​ They arrived at their destination, and Will waited for Emma to wake up. She was pretty, when she tried. He noticed she had brushed her hair and put on some makeup. And that dress sat on her curves in a way that made him want to tear it off. He stared at her for a long time, and before he realized what he was doing, he placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.​ *Get a grip, Will,* he berated himself. *She’s just another girl.*​ Emma woke up and found Will staring at her.​ “I’m sorry,” she yawned. “I must have fallen asleep. Where are we?”​ “We’re going for a swim,” W

​ Thick, angry tears rolled down Emma’s face. No matter what happened to her, something always managed to tear her down, to remind her how horrible her life was.​ “Why is everyone being so horrible?” she thought of Will leaving cash, and treating her like a sex worker. She hated herself for ever thinking she could mean something else to him. And Vivian, coming to attack her like that? All she wanted was to never see her again, but Vivian wouldn’t leave her alone. ​ Emma wanted to throw herself in her bed and have a good cry. Her plan was to come to her room, pack a few things and go to the hospital to be with her father, but now she didn’t have enough time. Vivian was always around, getting in her way. ​ Emma cleaned herself off, and went back downstairs. She’s hoped the driver would be gone, but much to her dismay he was still there.​ “Don’t you ever go home?” she asked, but then blushed as that was harsher than she intended. “I’m so sorry. That was mean.”​ “It

​ Emma regretted the words as soon as the words fell from her mouth. Her hands flew to her mouth, and tears of shame stung her eyes. Will stared at her with cold indignation. She’d hurt him, exactly as she wanted to. Who had she become? She had finally had the courage to stand up for herself and expressed her true emotions. But she had to hurt someone to do it. ​ Before she could apologize, Will left without a word. ​ “What have I done?” she cried, as she sank to her knees. Violent sobs quaked through her body. What would become of her now? She angered the man who held her life in his hands. He paid her father’s medical bills, and provided private round the clock care. She owed him $300,000, and was under a contractual obligation with him. ​ After a few minutes of trying to catch her breath, Emma got her crying under control. ​ “I have to get out of here,” she said to herself. She pulled out her regular phone and called Sabrina.​ “Hi, Emma!” Sabrina’s chipper v