Grace's POV

I still can't forget the night, when my doom knocked on our door.

I was happy that day because I finally completed my studies in accountancy and I was very excited to enter the corporate world. I wanted to learn and explore the opportunities.

I went home to tell this to my father. I had no idea if he was going to be happy or not. After my mother's death, he became a lost man. It's been five years and he is still in Grief. I always tried to understand him and tried to give him emotional support but it didn't work. Still, I can't abandon him because he adopted me when I needed family. Yes, I am adopted. How can I leave him when he is the one who has given me this life? I can't be ungrateful to him. He is my father and I love him.

We shifted to Italy so it could help him heal from his grief. I could see his health going downward day by day. Managing in a new country wasn't easy, but I did it for him. He has cousins in Italy and they helped us to settle down. Only if I had known, I wouldn't have looked at Italy, let alone settled here.

When I reached home, I saw him sitting on the sofa with a serious expression. He looked scared, he was sweating and trembling.

"Dad, what happened?"

I asked. My happiness was long forgotten when I saw his state.

"Grace, you need to leave..."

He suddenly said.

"Leave this house... Go somewhere, anywhere!.... and don't come back..."

My heart broke listening to his words, I thought he was abandoning me.

"Dad, don't you love me anymore?"

I asked in a broken voice.

He looked at me sadly.

"No dear... I love you, I love you more than myself but right now I am in a big problem. I can't put you in danger... Leave Grace."

I should have listened to him, but I didn't, and it was the biggest mistake of my life.

"No, Dad, I won't leave you... How can I run when you are in a problem... You look so scared, what's going on, Dad?"

I tried to ask, but suddenly the door of our house got slammed open.

Dad stepped back, scared as a few men barged in. They were looking like goons.

"Rafael, he is here"

One man yelled, and another man entered the house like he owned it.

Rafael was a tall but quite lean-bodied man; he had long black hair up to his shoulders. He was quite good-looking among all his men.

"You shouldn't have run, Stuart. You fucked up really bad..."

Rafael mocked.

"Rafael, I just need a few more days... I'll pay you back..."

Dad pleaded, and I was looking at them, confused.

"Sorry man... Chief has ordered us to take care of you; now, no one can save you."

Rafael said.

"I have to kill you"

"Excuse me"

I gasped at his words.

"Who are you and why are you threatening my father like this?"

I asked confused.

Rafael looked at me like he had just noticed me and raised his thick black eyebrows. His eyes lingered on me before he spoke.

"Darling, your father has borrowed money from me and he is not ready to pay back... And that's why I am here to kill him."

He said like he was telling me about the weather.

"Can we please talk rationally about it... Please."

I requested. He seemed dangerous, so I decided to handle him with care, but in reality, I was digging my own grave.

Rafael groaned annoyingly.

"Sit"

He ordered making me look at him hesitantly.

"Don't be shy, sit down. It's your own house..."

He mocked and his men laughed at me.

I sat down beside my father who was looking terrified.

"How much money has he taken from you... I can pay you back"

I said and another wave of laughter spread in the house.

Rafael himself chuckled.

"Babygirl, even if you sell your beautiful body, you can't pay this loan..."

He stated.

"Your father has fucked up very badly... he has taken money with 10% interest and now he has to give me one million..."

My mouth literally dropped on the floor when I heard his words.

"One million"

I said in disbelief.

"Dad, why do you need so much money? What did you do with that?"

I asked in disbelief, but I got just a guilty look.

"He did gambling and drugs... Looks like you don't know that your father is wasted. He is a drug addict."

Rafael said.

"Dad why?"

I looked at him heartbroken. I couldn't understand what made him take those extreme decisions.

"I am sorry"

He mumbled. I wanted to scream at him but that wasn't the right time. I had to do something to save both of us.

"Please sir, give me some time. I'll definitely pay you back"

I had no idea how I was going to do that but still I promised.

Rafael didn't believe me.

"You can't"

He stated firmly.

"Anyway, you won't get anything after killing us. Then why not give us a chance... I have recently completed my studies, and I will soon join a job. Please give me some time."

I pleaded.

Rafael sighed.

"Why don't you understand, girl, with 10% interest, you can't pay it like this... It will keep increasing... And I am not the boss, I am just following his orders... Trust me, if the boss were here, you two would have been dead by now."

He Scolded.

"Sir, please, I know my father has made a mistake, but he is not well... Please give me one chance..."

I wasn't ready to lose hope.

Rafael rubbed his forehead and looked at his man. One man came forward and whispered something in his ear.

"You are an accountant?!"

He asked, and I nodded.

"Fine, let's see if we can do something..."

He said and handed me one card.

"Come to this address and meet Mr. Gomez... If you are lucky enough, then you might survive; if not, then I have to come back."

"Thank you so much"

I smiled at him and he looked at me weirdly. Visible blush spread on his cheeks as he looked away.

"You don't deserve her, Stuart... You destroyed her life."

Rafael looked at Dad hatefully and left our house.

After that, I tried to talk to my father, and he apologised for his behaviour. I couldn't do anything. I somehow managed to save both of us for that moment, but couldn't promise the future.

After that day, I stepped in dirt, which stained my whole life. No matter what I can't wash it off.

I snapped out of my thoughts as the cab halted in front of my house. I stepped out and rushed towards the washroom.

Turning on the shower, I started cleaning my body furiously till it turned red. No matter how much I try, I can't get rid of his touches.

Throwing soap on the floor, I screamed to let go of my frustration. I broke down on the floor. I feel like a whore, who sleeps with strangers for money. I feel dirty when he touches me with no love. I am just an object which satisfies his needs, which he can use whenever and however he wants.

I don't want this but still I am guilty of enjoying his touch. This is wrong. What makes me more guilty is that I enjoy his touch, even when I know that it's bad. It's eating me from the inside.

This might have been easier if I weren't getting physical satisfaction.

I never thought life would make me face these kinds of things. I just wanted a normal life.

I just hope it ends soon, or am I dreaming about an impossible thing?