ManyWriters

I sold my body to my husband, Cade Sterling.
One hundred thousand dollars. That was his price for a night with me. The only thing keeping our son, Leo, alive.
My stepmother whispered lies in his ear, and he believed them. He forced another woman into our bed while I was forced onto an operating table.
"You're pregnant," the nurse said, her voice a sterile blade. "Mr. Sterling has requested a termination."
Then, I was forced to watch my son Leo, my only reason for living, leap from a cliff to save me from further torment.
He was gone.
My husband had murdered our first child, and now our second. There was nothing left to live for.
In the cold, scarlet water of the bathtub, I finally let go.
But as darkness claimed me, I didn't know the truth was a far more cruel and twisted thing than I could have ever imagined.
And that Cade Sterling, my tormentor, was about to pay a price far greater than money could ever cover.

His Ruinous Price

A man with thick, muscular arms gripped Leo tightly. The boy squirmed, trying to wrench himself free, but his small frame was useless against the man’s hold.


Kendra then produced a knife, its blade catching the harsh sunlight. In one fluid, ruthless motion, she sliced it across Leo’s arm. Blood instantly welled up, staining his sleeve a dark crimson.


A sharp pain shot through him, but Leo clamped his mouth shut, refusing to cry out. He knew it would only make his mother worry more.


A raw, agonized scream tore from Aria’s throat. “Kendra, stop! Let him go! Don’t you dare hurt him again!”


Her hand trembled as she clutched the phone. Through the small screen, she saw Kendra press the tip of the knife against Leo’s chest.


“Kendra, take me instead! Do whatever you want to me, just leave him alone! Please, don’t hurt my son!”


“An interesting offer, Aria.” Kendra slowly retracted the blade. “But his life will cost you. He lives if you agree to die in his place.”


The thought of Kendra harming Leo again was unbearable. Aria agreed without a second of hesitation. “Fine. My life for his. Just promise you won’t touch him.”


“Mom, don’t listen to her! I’m not scared to die! I just want you to be okay!”


Leo’s face was pale, but his voice was filled with a fierce, unwavering resolve. A sob escaped Aria’s lips. How did she get so lucky? Even in this nightmare, her son was so brave, so sweet.


Her eyes darted around the room and landed on an empty water glass. She snatched it from the desk and, without thinking, shattered it against the floor. Picking up a jagged shard, she held it to her wrist. “Kendra, I’ll do it. Just let him go. Now.”


“No, Mom, don’t! You can’t hurt yourself!” Leo’s voice was strained with panic. “I’m supposed to protect you! I don’t want you to get hurt because of me!”


“Hold on, not so fast!” Kendra’s voice was a derisive sneer. “That’s no fun at all. Aria, before you bleed out, I want you to ruin that pretty face of yours.”


A look of pure contempt crossed Kendra’s face. Such a beautiful face, she thought. It was the face Cade could never forget. As long as Aria looked like that, Kendra would never truly have him.


“Fine.” With a swift, determined motion, Aria dragged the sharp edge of the glass across her own cheek.


A spray of blood blurred her vision. On the screen, Kendra’s face lit up with sadistic glee. “Hah! Look at you, Aria! So ugly. Who would ever want you now?”


Leo’s gaze, filled with a furious frustration, fixed on Kendra. “You can’t use me to hurt my mom! You’re not worthy!” he shouted, his voice ringing with defiance.


A cold dread washed over Aria. “Leo, what are you…” she began, her own voice choked with anxiety.


But Leo didn’t let her finish. He twisted around and sank his teeth into the thick arm of the man holding him. The man roared in pain and his grip loosened for just a second.


It was all the time Leo needed. He broke free, sprinted to the edge of the cliff, and without a moment’s hesitation, jumped.


The cry was a visceral tear from the depths of Aria’s soul. She reached out, as if she could somehow pull him back through the screen, but he was gone. So close, yet a world away.


She couldn’t save him. Her beautiful, brave boy was gone.


Chapter 10