Chapter 3
Chapter Three
Elena
Early summer. Thunder rumbled through the sky, and within seconds rain came down in sheets, turning everything gray and blurred.
I'd moved all the sun-loving flowers outside the greenhouse that morning. If I didn't get them back in now, the rain would destroy them. I ran out again and again, hauling the expensive, delicate plants back to safety.
Taking care of the greenhouse wasn't just my job—but right now, not a single person came out to help.
I knew the other maids at the manor had Salvador's blessing. This was their punishment, all of them united against me. I didn't care. Rain blurred my vision. I wiped my face with my arm. My clothes soaked through, clinging to my skin.
The rain came hard and fast, wind whipping around me. I could barely keep my footing. But I kept going, dragging pot after pot back inside until every last flower was safe.
When I tried to get back into the manor, the door was locked.
I pounded on it. No one answered.
Through the window, I saw Alfredo standing on the stairs. I understood instantly.
"Open the door, Alfredo!" I slammed my fist against it, furious.
He came down and opened the door. His eyes held a threat. "Elena, all those flowers are damaged. You'll need to pay for them."
He'd done this on purpose.
If he'd told me earlier, I wouldn't have needed to haul anything in the rain. I could've just paid from the start.
I laughed bitterly. "This is your move? Using work to crush a maid—that's very you, Alfredo."
"It's all within your job description." His gaze stayed cold. "You have complaints, take them to the lawyer."
"You—"
I couldn't speak. Then a shiver ran through me. My body had gone ice-cold.
All of this was their little game.
I forced myself calm. No point arguing. Salvador had used plenty of tricks on me before. I'd endured those too. This was no different.
Back in my attic room, I couldn't stop sneezing. I was about to take a hot shower when someone knocked.
A maid's voice came through the door. "Elena, Alfredo says laundry duty's all yours now. There's a ton left today. You'd better get going."
That bastard Alfredo.
The laundry room needed at least three people. He'd dumped it all on me. I knew this was the price for refusing Salvador's demand, but rage still burned through me.
No time for medicine. I threw on dry clothes and rushed to the laundry room. Mountains of clothes waited. I clenched my jaw and started washing.
I needed this job. No matter what, I couldn't let this break me.
I worked into the night before finishing. When I stood, my bones cracked and groaned. Everything told me this body was running on empty.
My phone chimed. A calendar reminder.
Tomorrow was my day off. Every servant got one day a month. Usually I stayed at the manor, but with everything that had happened lately, I suddenly wanted to see my mother.
The next morning, I left early. Alfredo was there when I walked out.
I didn't speak to him. Just nodded. His look was strange, but I was in a hurry. I didn't stop to ask why.
Downstairs, climbing the stairs to the apartment, I wondered if I should tell Maggie what had been happening. My mother wasn't brave. If she knew a mafia Don had threatened me, she'd probably faint.
Better not to tell her.
I reached the door. It was open. I pushed through. "Maggie—"
Everyone in the room turned to look at me. Maggie was on the floor. That bastard Richard stood beside her. Across from them, several massive men held baseball bats and other weapons. Dangerous, every one of them.
I understood immediately. I rushed over, helped Maggie up, then shoved Richard away hard. I glared at him. "What did you do now?"
Maggie grabbed my hand like I was her last hope. "Elena, please, save your father..."
I stood between Maggie and the men, patted her hand to calm her, then faced Richard. I already knew why these men were here.
"Did you... gamble again?"
My voice shook. Not from fear. From rage.
Richard had been gambling since I was little. As I grew up, his bets got bigger. My school fees, Maggie's living expenses—all became his gambling money. Poor Maggie worked alone at a diner for pennies. I'd been forced to work early too, just to keep this family afloat.
But Richard would never stop. He scratched his head carelessly and grinned at me. "Yeah, Elena, perfect timing. You've got money, right? Pay them off for me, sweetheart."
"Ask her—she works for rich people, makes good money!"
Richard said this, then backed into the corner, pushing me forward to face his disaster.
The men's eyes turned to me. I used my small body to shield Maggie, fought to keep my legs from shaking, not to show them my fear.
"Where's the money I sent back?" I turned to Maggie, voice full of worry. "I told you not to give it all to him!"
Since I'd started at Moretti Manor, I knew I'd become another source for Richard's gambling. To save for my clothing shop—and to slow him down—I'd hidden half my wages, only sending half home each month.
But Maggie had given him everything anyway. Did she think that would make Richard love her?
Ridiculous.
Maggie covered her face and cried, apologizing over and over. "I'm sorry, Elena, I'm sorry..."
The lead man grabbed Maggie's collar, lifted her like a helpless little bird. He stared at me. "If we sell the two of you through the black market, we might get a decent price."
"Let her go!" I lunged forward, trying to save Maggie from his grip.
The man's fist slammed into my shoulder. The force threw me into a cabinet. Pain exploded in my lower back. My face twisted. My body lost all strength. I collapsed.
And that bastard Richard just huddled in the corner, head in his hands, not saying a word.
"Elena!"
Maggie sobbed, struggling. The man dropped her. She hit the floor hard but crawled to me immediately, pulling me into her arms.
My eyes burned red with fury. The situation was clear. Richard couldn't pay these debts. I didn't have the power to get Maggie out of New York. If we didn't pay, neither of us would survive this.
"How much does Richard owe?"
I'd use my savings. Help Richard one last time.
Next time he gambled, I'd never help him again.
"A hundred thousand dollars."
The tallest man named an astronomical figure. I wondered if I'd heard wrong.
"A hundred thousand!" My voice went shrill. "How could he owe that much?"
The man crossed his arms and snorted. "Richard's a regular customer. We take care of him."
All of them looked unconcerned. In their eyes, this was simple—lend money, watch it get lost, then squeeze the gambler's family. Sell the daughter, sell the wife. There was always a way to collect.
Nausea rolled through my stomach. I almost threw up right there.
A hundred thousand dollars... I could sell myself and not get a hundred thousand.
How could I possibly get that much? Borrow from people at the manor? They'd never lend it. And even if they would, they didn't have that kind of money.
I had no options left.
A hundred thousand dollars was crushing me.
"Take the old woman first."
Someone got impatient, grabbed Maggie's collar, and started dragging her out.
"No, no—" I wrapped my arms around Maggie's waist, begging them. "Please, give me a few more days. I'll borrow from friends. I'll pay you back, but don't hurt Maggie, please..."
I begged, my arms trembling uncontrollably, eyes red, pain and grief flooding my heart. I knew my life had reached its most desperate point.
"Tears don't solve problems, miss." The man reached out, his tattooed arm extending toward me. He stroked my face, his gaze pornographic and lewd. "There are lots of ways to make money. Want me to tell you?"
I understood what he meant.
I closed my eyes. Tears streamed down. I didn't know who could help me anymore. Who could save me now?
The tallest man stepped out to take a call. When he came back, he gave us a final deadline, looking at me and Maggie with contempt.
"One more day. Tomorrow, if you don't pay, I'm selling both of you to the underground casinos. Understand?"
Then he had his men tie up Richard. Richard twisted violently, shouting. "My daughter will pay! Don't take me, take her! Why are you taking me?"
My own father said that. I watched Richard curse me as they dragged him away. The moment they left, I couldn't control my body anymore. My legs gave out.
Maggie helped me up. She stroked my hair. "I'm sorry, Elena. I wasn't going to tell you."
"You're my mother—what are you talking about?" My voice broke. "If I hadn't come back, were you really going to let them sell you?"
I held Maggie tight. She was so thin, her body fragile from years of work and malnutrition. I didn't want to see her suffer, but I didn't have the power to protect her, to end her pain.
In my desperation, I suddenly thought of someone.
Yes. He could solve this. He could.
I pulled out my phone and walked outside.
My heartbeat was too loud, almost piercing my eardrums. But I couldn't stop. I had to protect Maggie. I had to pay that money. Or I'd lose my family, and everything I'd held onto would be meaningless.
I dialed. The phone rang. My breathing and heartbeat rang with it, one ring after another, getting heavier.
Until someone answered—