**You're mine**

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**1 Month Later**

**Author's POV**

Araya descended the stairs slowly, her face pale, eyes swollen from crying. She hadn't shed any tears since the previous night, and she had long since stopped blaming fate. Her mind was focused on the final day of the deal, but strangely, she no longer worried about it. At least she had achieved her goal-her sister Ashley now hated her, and they hadn't spoken since. 

Alex, though withdrawn after their fight, had still made attempts to reach out to her. But Araya had firmly cut off all ties, making it clear she didn't want to be disturbed. Alex, dejected, had finally stopped coming around. However, deep down, Araya knew that Alex would never fully let go. 

With deliberate steps, Araya walked toward the refrigerator. She grabbed a glass of orange juice, gulped it down, and then scanned the living room. There was no sign of Ashley, no more of the lively chatter or hugs when she'd buy her favorite dresses or trending accessories. It was just Araya and her grief filling the empty space.

Sighing, she turned to walk back to her room. If there was one thing she would never believe in again, it was love-love had led her to a place she could never have imagined. It had stripped her of everything she once held dear. She was done with relationships, done with trust. 

Just as she was about to retreat to the sanctuary of her room, her gaze fell upon the family portrait hanging beside the sofa. It was a photo of Ashley, their parents, and even Alex, taken during their trip to the South African zoo. The memories came rushing back, and before she could stop herself, tears flooded her eyes.

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**Flashback**

"Oh my God! Mummy, this place is so beautiful!" Araya, at the tender age of 13, exclaimed with a wide smile. Her family had taken her to South Africa, fulfilling her childhood dream. After hearing so much about the country from Mrs. Stanford, their beloved history teacher, Araya had begged her parents for the trip.

"Oh, really, sis, it's beautiful! I haven't seen anything like this!" Ashley added, extending a banana to a baby monkey, which grabbed it eagerly.

"I'm glad you love it, children," Mrs. Stewart said, smiling warmly. "But remember, stay close to your sister so you don't get lost."

The children laughed as they continued to watch the monkeys, but Araya's heart wasn't fully at ease. Her primary reason for wanting to visit South Africa was to meet a black friend-someone like Mrs. Stanford, who would understand her, someone who could teach her more about life and love. Unfortunately, that didn't happen. There were no black children eager to connect, no one to mirror the kindness she had been yearning for.

Later that night, around the bonfire, the Stewart family sat in a circle with other guests. As the evening grew darker, Alex, a young black girl from a nearby family, approached them. She hesitated before speaking.

"Can I join you? My mum's always busy with work, and there's no room for me in the hotel."

Mrs. Stewart smiled and motioned for her to sit. "Of course, sweetie, you're welcome here."

As Alex sat next to Araya, Ashley, still drowsy from the long day, opened her eyes and, in the middle of a sleepy daze, asked, "Why are you so beautiful? What's your name? Where are you from? Your skin is so shiny, it's like it's glowing!"

"Ashley!" Mrs. Stewart admonished, but Alex smiled gently at the little girl's curiosity. She answered her questions kindly and soon became fast friends with Araya. They talked for hours, sharing their favorite things, even watching shooting stars together.

By the end of the night, Araya and Alex had exchanged numbers. It felt as though they had known each other for years. When it was time to say goodbye, Mr. Stewart called them in for bed, and Araya reluctantly said goodbye to Alex, who returned the smile sweetly.

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**Back to Present Day**

Araya wiped away her tears, but the memories were too much. She hurried back to her room, only to be hit by the familiar scent of jasmine perfume still lingering in the air. It was like he had never left.

"You are mine, honey," his voice echoed in her mind as he'd held her down. "And the sooner you accept it, the better for you."

Her stomach churned at the memory, and she felt a lump in her throat. "Why are you so heartless?" she had asked, desperate for an answer. "Don't you have a heart?"

"I'm heartless because you're nothing to me," he had replied with disdain, tightening his grip on her. "Don't dare question me, or you'll regret it."

His words haunted her-her nightmare, Mr. Monster.

---

"Araya! You're crying!" Ashley's voice broke through Araya's thoughts. Startled, Araya wiped her eyes and turned to see her sister standing at the door, her face full of worry.

"Ara, did I make you cry? I'm sorry... I never meant to say those things."

Araya could feel her heart breaking. She wanted to hold her sister and tell her that everything was okay, that she had never been angry with her, but the words were caught in her throat. Instead, she pushed Ashley away, her eyes flashing with anger.

"Don't come near me, Ashley Stewart! What right do you have to touch me? Where are your manners?" Araya's voice trembled with fury. "You're nothing to me anymore. Don't you get it? You're not my sister!"

Ashley stood frozen, her eyes wide in shock. "Araya..." she whispered softly, her voice trembling with pain.

"I'm not Araya, not anymore. And I'm definitely not a Stewart. You don't deserve me. Not after what you've done."

Ashley's breath quickened, tears welling in her eyes. "Please, Ara, don't say that..."

But Araya wasn't listening. The anger boiled inside her as she continued, her words cutting deep.

"You don't know what you've done. You threw me away, and now I'm nothing."

---

**In London...**

Nora dropped her shopping bags and turned to face her father, her expression hardening. She had just returned from a lavish shopping spree with her friends when her father's voice thundered behind her.

"You're going to New York, princess."

"What the hell did you say?" Nora shot back, her eyes narrowing in defiance.

"You heard me, Miss Nora. You're going to New York, and that's final."

She rolled her eyes. "But why? I didn't do anything wrong."

"You'll do this for your father, and there will be a reward," he said smoothly, his grin wide. 

Nora raised an eyebrow. "And what's the catch?"

"You'll make Erickson Dragons fall in love with you and marry you," he said, his voice dark with a smile.

"What the hell?!" Nora cursed, but her father didn't flinch.

"You'll live like a princess-everything you've ever dreamed of. His billions, your world."

Nora thought about it. "Fine, but I'm doing this for you."

Her father laughed triumphantly, knowing that his daughter had fallen into his plans.

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