Her father sighed, looking older than ever. His hand trembled slightly as he poured himself a drink.
*"His name is Kaelion Drevyn. He's the CEO of Drevyn Global and our last chance."*
The name struck fear even in high places. Kaelion Drevyn — powerful, ruthless, and rumored to have never lost a deal.
*"You're disgusting,"* Ayra spat. *"Selling me to a man I don't know just because your greed ruined everything?"*
But her father looked up, eyes hollow.
*"I'm dying, Ayra. I wasn't going to tell you like this, but…"* He coughed into a handkerchief. Blood stained the cloth.
*"What… what's wrong with you?"* she asked, stepping back.
*"Neurostem Carcinoma,"* he said quietly. "A rare neural cancer. Aggressive. The only known cure comes from a plant that blooms once every five years… deep in the mountains of Hunan, China."
Ayra's heart dropped.
Everything she knew was unraveling — and fast.
---
Want me to continue with Chapter 2, where she meets Kaelion or plans her escape?Got you. Here's *Chapter Two: The Cost of Freedom* — with emotion, tension, and Ayra's inner struggle deepening.
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Ayra sat in the dim light of her room, knees pulled to her chest, eyes fixed on the ceiling. Her phone lay beside her like a dead thing—she had turned it off after Luke tried calling again.
*She wouldn't cry. Not over him. Not over this.*
But her mind raced.
*Run away.*
It was the only thought that made sense now.
She could disappear. She had a little money saved from her internship. It wouldn't get her far, but it would buy her time. Enough to figure things out. Maybe get to her mother's hometown and hide out for a while. Anything was better than being sold like property to a man she didn't know.
Her hands were already packing—jeans, hoodie, the old sneakers she hadn't worn in months—when her phone buzzed to life again.
*Caller ID: General City Hospital.*
Her heart stopped.
She answered instantly.
*"Hello?"*
*"Miss Ayra?"*
A nurse's voice. *"Your grandmother collapsed this morning. She's stable for now, but the delay in treatment—there were complications. We've done all we can, but we need funds immediately to continue care."*
Ayra blinked. *"Wait, what? There should be money in her account. My dad said—"*
The nurse hesitated.
*"Mr. Alaric withdrew the payment two days ago. He told us the family would be handling the rest privately."*
Ayra's stomach twisted.
*He pulled the money… for his business. Or worse—this marriage deal.*
She dropped onto her bed, fingers trembling.
This wasn't just about her anymore. It was about everyone she loved. Her grandmother, the only one who ever made her feel safe, was now suffering… because her father chose debt over dignity.
She clenched her jaw, heart pounding.
*"Please... please keep her alive,"* Ayra whispered. *"I'll find the money."*
But she had no idea how.
---