The Billionaire's Puppet

s tasted strange in my m

My father quietly repeated, as if he were announc

e mantel grew louder as I stared at him, my

ile leaning back in his chair. The room smelled like leather and oak

ce above a whisper. "You want me to

h a resounding thump, his face h

t about the money. I

come out more like a sob. "You think it

His cold eyes narr

her, had always exuded a stifling sense of control. However, this-th

ce was low and bitter. "The deal I've made. The people I've begged

shaky voice. My legs felt like they might collapse

s about fixing the mess we're in. Roman Blackwood has offered to erase everything. All the

ality of his words

hollow voice, I reiterated,

a mere billionaire. He is among the city's most influential figures.

s filled with tears, and I blinked frantically to keep them from fallin

stood there, his massive form looming over me. "An

n a whisper, s

g what's be

g heavy between us, an

ing to catch my breath, Tears clouded my vision, and I bare

e, and my hands were shaking as I held onto t

illionaire; he was a legend and a dark side to the city. Unforgiving in ne

erie. She was standing at the top of the stairs, her fr

year earlier, and she looked exhausted. The weight of my

asked, descending

ng sold like some commodity to a man I'd never met.

my head, tears fl

into her arms. Her embrace was warm and familiar but wasn't

uttered, my voice shaking. "He can

. "I don't agree with this either, Naomi. B

in disbelief. "He's gambling again, isn'

r was enoug

ng the corridor. "This is unfair. I am not to blame for

, her eyes sparkling with tear

e air, and I hated that

from the soft hum of the city outside my window. My phone buz

Mason, my best frie

mi'

mi'

am still waiting to

rd, I gazed at the screen. How could I e

I'm no

e was almos

d you like

saying yes. But what could

talk about i

aid the phone down, coll

of man was Roman Blackwood? Would he be cruel? Controlling? Would he se

oor pulled me f

er's voice was s

not bothering to hide

t," he said through the door. "You'll dress

ll. "Are yo

ways se

fear and rage. I whispered, "You're unbe

omorrow bearing down on me a

t the unfinished plate of toast. As she nervously wiped down

She looked at me over her s

muttered, as I push

i, I know this isn't what you wanted.

laugh. "Mom, you don't eve

responded feebly, but sh

enly stood up. "Because Dad's

her voice cracking. "All I wa

went to the front door. I wanted distance

teeming with activity, but it all seemed fa

round aimlessly. How could my li

was unusually silent. My mother was nowher

noticed an envelope on my bed. My name was scraw

ing hands and took ou

a

that I am doing this for the family,for your mom, for you and your sister. We should not u

ion, and the letter

lanced at the screen. It w

here if y

ply. What c

rashing over me like a tidal wave, I col

buzzed again. This time,

ed, then

el

er end was smooth, c

s assistant. Mr. Blackwood is looking forward to meeti

ld respond, leaving me gripping

myself f