Ava Sinclair
Chapter 2: Sold to the Devil
(Ava's POV )
The past has a funny way of haunting you.
It never really leaves. It lingers in the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment to sink its claws into your throat.
And today?
Today, my past was suffocating me.
---
I sat at the kitchen table, barely touching my coffee.
The clock on the wall ticked away the minutes, each second dragging me closer to the moment I'd officially lose my freedom.
I used to dream about escaping this life.
When I was younger, I'd lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, promising myself that one day, I'd leave. I'd get out of this town, take my mom and Ethan with me, and never look back.
But life had other plans.
When my father died, he left behind more than just grief. He left us with crushing debt, loan sharks at our door, and the constant fear that one day, we'd lose everything.
And now, here I was—about to sign away a year of my life to a man I'd never even met.
For them.
For my family.
I exhaled shakily, gripping my coffee mug like it could hold me together.
"Ava?"
I looked up to see Mom watching me. Concern all over her face.
"You've been quiet all morning," she said softly. "Are you sure you're okay?"
No.
I was about to meet Richard Sterling. I was about to agree to marry his son.
I was about to lose myself completely.
But I forced a small smile anyway. "Yeah, Mom. Just tired."
She frowned, like she didn't quite believe me. But thankfully, she didn't push.
I glanced at the clock.
10:45 AM.
Richard had ordered me to meet him at his office by eleven sharp.
I swallowed hard and stood. "I have to go out for a bit."
Mom's eyes softened. "Be careful, sweetheart."
If only she knew.
I kissed her forehead, ruffled Ethan's hair, and walked out the door—toward my fate.
---
Sterling Enterprises –
The elevator doors opened to reveal marble floors, glass walls, and wealth so thick it made me sick.
Sterling Enterprises screamed power.
The kind of power that could destroy lives—and today, it was destroying mine.
A man in a black suit greeted me. "Miss Sinclair?"
I nodded.
"Mr. Sterling is expecting you. Right this way."
I followed him down the long hallway, my heart hammering.
Then, he opened a set of massive double doors.
And there he was.
Richard Sterling.
Seated behind a sleek, black desk, his presence filled the entire room. His salt-and-pepper hair was perfectly combed, his suit crisp and tailored, and his cold, calculating eyes locked onto me the second I stepped inside.
"Miss Sinclair," he said smoothly, motioning to the chair across from him. "Sit."
I hesitated for half a second before forcing my legs to move.
"You're on time," he mused. "Good. I appreciate punctuality."
I clenched my jaw. I wasn't here to impress him.
I was here because I had no choice.
He slid a folder across the desk. "The contract."
I stared at it.
It looked so innocent.
Just a few sheets of paper, sitting between me and my worst mistake.
My voice came out hoarse. "I don't have a choice, do I?"
Richard leaned back, smiling like a man who had already won. Because he had.
"No, Miss Sinclair," he said smoothly. "You don't."
I inhaled sharply, then flipped open the folder.
The terms were simple.
One year of marriage to Damien Sterling.
Public appearances as his wife.
No leaking personal details to the media.
No backing out before the year is up.
And in return?
The complete erasure of my father's debt.
I picked up the pen, my fingers trembling.
This was it.
The moment my life was no longer mine.
My father had signed his own death warrant when he took Richard's money.
And now, I was signing mine.
I clenched my jaw, shoving down the fear, the anger, the overwhelming sense of dread.
Then, with one stroke of ink—
It was done.
Richard smiled, satisfied. "Welcome to the family, Miss Sinclair."
I set the pen down, my heart pounding.
"Don't call me that," I muttered.
His smile widened, like he enjoyed my rebellion. "Oh, you'll get used to it soon enough."
I doubted it.
I hated this man.
And I hated Damien Sterling already.
Even though I hadn't met him yet.
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