365 Days: The Billionaire's Marriage

“Come here, Sweetie. Come with me,” he said.

Eza Alison Quill's spine shivered. When his voice landed in her ears, an instant sense of dread emerged. It trapped her body swiftly, making her tremble.

“No,” Eza refused.

For her rejection, she received a backlash. It gripped her hand tightly, denying her permission to escape as she wished.

“Let me go!”

Eza struggled with all her might, attempting to free herself, but the grip only grew stronger. Slowly fading her hope of escaping.

Laughter echoed. It came from the middle-aged man who felt delighted at the sight of fear on Eza's face. It made his grip tighten second by second.

“I won't let you go. I won't. You know, right? Tonight, I will take you to my house.”

The question was drowned out by booming laughter. Eza shivered. She shook her head, but that was the reality that awaited her.

“You will be my mistress.”

Eza swallowed her saliva. She shook with a body that trembled even more.

“No,” Eza rejected. “I will not be your mistress. I will never be the mistress of an old man like you.”

The uproarious laughter ceased. It vanished instantly when Eza's words struck him. Making the face of the fifty-three-year-old man turn red.

His face hardened. It looked fierce.

“W-what? What did you say just now?”

Eza did not answer. She could not say anything when the grip on her wrist felt even stronger, bringing unbearable pain.

A grunt escaped, indicating immeasurable pain. However, that tangible proof seemed to mean nothing.

“Answer, Eza! What did you say just now?! Did you call me an old man?!”

This time, it was not just the grip that hurt Eza, but also the jolt that made her stumble. Dizziness came. It trapped the clear focus of her eyes, replacing it with a blurred vision.

Eza closed her eyes. She was dizzy and afraid to witness the eruption of anger in front of her.

“I beg you,” Eza pleaded at last. “Let me go. I don't want to marry you.”

She did not want to imagine it, but the fear had already formed a shadow in Eza's mind. Spinning around and making her stomach feel sick. How could a twenty-two-year-old girl become the mistress of a fifty-three-year-old man? Were not they more suited to be father and daughter rather than lovers?

However, it was not just the age difference that was the reason for Eza's rejection. Because she knew that she would become one of Sergio Alexander's many mistresses.

There was a legitimate wife and at least six other mistresses that Sergio had. If Eza accepted that cruel fate, she would become the seventh mistress.

An utterly illogical act. However, that was Sergio's life. When power and wealth were in his hands, no one could resist him. Ironically, they sometimes even begged him.

A sad reality for Eza. Because her father, Dean Jonathan Quill, was among those who begged Sergio. And it all started from the fraudulent investment he participated in.

The loss suffered by Dean amounted to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Clearly, it was not a small amount of money. He was desperate. At that time, Sergio came forward and offered help.

Sergio did not expect his money back. He could help sincerely, but not without selfish motives.

It was Eza that Sergio desired. Dean's youngest daughter, famous for her beauty. A virgin from an esteemed family, what more could he ask for?

Thus, it was not strange when Sergio and his men came to Dean's residence that night. He would take Eza so that the promised money could land in Dean's account the next day.

At least that was the guarantee to ensure Dean did not break the agreement. That's what Sergio said.

Unfortunately, Sergio's plan did not go smoothly as he had hoped. He could predict that Eza would refuse. However, he did not anticipate that Eza would resist with all her might.

“Shut up!” Sergio shouted.

Sergio had run out of patience. Anger had blinded his eyes and heart. Without thinking twice, he slapped Eza on the cheek, causing her to fall silent.

Eza's groans and whimpering disappeared. The girl's head spun. Her vision became blurry. However, her ears could still hear clearly.

“I don't care. Whether you want it or not, it doesn't matter. In the end, I will still have you,” Sergio said triumphantly. “You can't refuse. Besides, your father has already agreed to it.”

Disgusting. The nausea in Eza's stomach intensified. How could Dean allow his daughter to marry a man even older than himself?

It was truly nonsensical. However, that was the reality.

Eza refused to believe it, but this was what was happening to her. Trying to deny the disaster felt useless. The cries for help that she had been shouting since earlier yielded no results whatsoever.

H-how is this possible, Dad? How could you be so heartless to me? Trading your own flesh and blood for money?

Images of Dean's love filled Eza's mind. They flickered, displaying a time when they were a happy father and daughter. Loving and protecting each other. But now?

“Come on! Wake up!”

Sergio's shove shattered all those beautiful memories in Eza's mind. It brought her back to the terrifying destiny that would soon become her life story.

“N-no. I beg you.”

Another slap landed as a response to Eza's plea. Followed by another burst of laughter. Then, with utmost arrogance, Sergio spoke.

“Get up. It's better if you obey me before I completely lose my patience. Surely you don't want me to ruin your beautiful face, do you?”

Eza shook her head in despair. Her eyes opened, and Sergio's face filled her vision.

Sergio smirked. Extending his free hand, he tried to caress Eza's face. But she pushed it away.

“No,” Eza shook her head again. “I don't want to. I won't go.”

The fear Eza felt could not be expressed in words anymore. It was so overwhelming that at one point, she thought it would be better if she died.

Oh God. Please help me.

All she could do was pray. Eza had lost all hope. The longer time passed, the thinner her hope became of escaping that reality.

“Dad!” Eza cried out in desperation. “Help me, Dad! I beg you!”

Eza's voice sounded hoarse. Amidst fear and pain that she endured, there were tears that she could not hold back.

It seemed impossible. Yet, Eza held onto a flicker of empty hope. Perhaps Dean would come. Perhaps her father would change his mind. Maybe.

“Damn it!” Sergio shouted angrily. “Your father won't come, you bitch!”

Biting her lower lip, Eza held her ground as Sergio attempted to drag her. She clung to the bedpost, desperately trying not to let go.

“I beg you! Anyone, help me! Dad!” Eza shouted again.

However, Eza's screams yielded no results. It was not just Dean pretending to be deaf. Even all the residents in the house did the same. They acted as if they could not hear Eza's heart-wrenching pleas.

“I told you! No one wants to help you!” Sergio shouted again.

Taking a deep, exasperated breath, Sergio's patience had truly run out. Eza's rejection and defiance made his blood boil with anger. And without hesitation, he called his guards who were standing outside Eza's room.

“Monte! Bernard! Come here! Help me!”

With tears streaming down her face, Eza shook her head. She clung to the bedpost even tighter.

“N-no. Please. I beg you.”

This time, Eza had truly lost her hope. The dark cloud became even more tangible in her mind.

“Dad,” Eza whispered finally. Now she had no more strength. Perhaps it was time for Eza to surrender. “Please help me.”

There was no strength. There was no hope. Eza could only cry and let the tears flow down her cheeks.

The door to Eza's room opened. Simultaneously, Sergio's laughter filled Eza's ears. The form of joy as he felt he was on top of the world.

“Now it's time for you to leave, Eza.”

Saying that while laughing happily, Sergio was completely unaware of something. That it was not his guards who entered. It was not Monte or Bernard who entered and now stood behind him.

Sergio was caught off guard as he tried to pull Eza, who clung even tighter to the bedpost. He knew nothing. He thought everything was going according to plan. He believed everything was going well.

Praaang!

Sergio's plan crumbled to pieces. Along with the shattering of a fairly large vase on his head.

Flowers scattered everywhere. Along with Sergio, who fell to the floor and lost consciousness.

Fresh blood flowed, flooding the floor and almost reaching Eza's feet.

Stunned, for a moment Eza stood silently, looking at the helpless Sergio. The middle-aged man no longer moved, and Eza immediately turned away. She looked at the person who entered her room and performed that act.

“V-Vebby.”

*