An Ice Queen for sale

Dear Reader, Before you start this story, I would like to warn you about its content. I do not recommend it to people under 18. Besides its steamy scenes, the entire storyline could be disturbing. If you are okay with that, then have fun reading it!

Alice

I rushed out of the building housing the skater’s training room, desperately trying to leave the club without crying. Everyone had always been so lovely to me. I received a beautiful necklace from my team as a reminder of the time we spent together.

Leaving was incredibly hard. My coaches had been by my side for many years, but parting from my best friend, Lucas, was the hardest. We had skated together since we were four. We competed in our first Junior Championship together, and since then, we have always participated in competitions. We tried skating in pairs a few times and quickly got used to each other. Our trainers suggested we try competing as a duo, but I was happier as a solo figure skater.

“Alice, wait!”

I closed my eyes when I heard him calling after me. I turned around to see him running toward me. His blonde hair was messy, and his blue, tear-filled eyes reflected his sadness.

He tried to catch his breath. I knew he had been in love with me for a while, and recently, I had begun to think about him more as I considered becoming his girlfriend. He was the only boy I had ever gotten close to, and I liked him a lot. I could see myself falling in love with him, maybe one day.

But it was too late to consider starting a relationship with him. I knew that arguing with my stepfather could lead to dire consequences, and I would be the one to suffer, not him. I had no choice; I had to go.

“Didn’t you think about staying? There are numerous excellent universities in Montreal. Why do you think an American university is better?”

I couldn’t find the words to answer him. Instead, I stepped closer, hugged him tightly, and held onto him for as long as I could.

When I heard the bus approaching, I let him go, kissed his cheek, and hurriedly got into the vehicle.

I chose a seat on the other side of the bus. I knew that watching his sad figure standing there, hoping I would change my mind, would break me completely. I wiped my tears away and tried to see the familiar view through my watery eyes, but I could see nothing.

I got off the bus one stop before my street. I wanted to walk a little, hoping it would clear my mind, but I still felt the same when I got home.

When I stepped through the front door, I heard my mum's voice. “Alice, is that you? Come and eat dinner.”

I didn’t say a word. I wasn't sure whether she had made dinner for all of us, but I walked to the dining room and sat down. Three plates of cooked meals awaited us.

I was not surprised to see my stepfather already sitting there.

I hated him. He had never touched me physically, but I hated him for the years of mental abuse he inflicted on me and for the emotional and physical harm he caused my mother, which led to her illness. But now, after he had ruined my future, I felt like I could torture him to death. I remained silent when I heard him speak.

“Alice, I talked to the Sullivans about you. They don’t mind if you continue ice skating and have accepted your request to study at a university. They said you are free to choose one, and they will pay for it.”

I didn’t respond. He stayed quiet while my mum sat down as well.

“I am sending you to a good place, Alice. They are one of the wealthiest families in Los Angeles. They will give you everything that we never could.”

As he continued, I put down my cutlery. I needed to hold myself back from speaking up.

He sighed as I felt his gaze on me. “You know that we have no other choice. I wish we did,” he said painfully.

That was enough. I felt like my anger would consume me if I remained quiet. I stood up suddenly and slammed the table.

“Charles, are you aware of what you have done to me? How dare you say that you had no other choice? I’m your stepdaughter. Is this what you raised me for? To sell me when you are short of money?”

I shouted at him, my hands shaking.

“Calm down, Alice. You will get everything you want, and the debts and favours I owe those people will be settled. This agreement is beneficial for both of us.”

“What do I have to do with your shady businesses? Why me? Are you aware that you are forcing me into marriage? Do you even realise this is against my will? This is my life, for heaven's sake. My career, my dreams — all the hard work since I was little was for nothing.”

He just looked away, as if he didn’t care. I glanced at my mum, who lowered her head. Finally, Charles turned to me.

“You are going to have a good life,” he stated.

“A good life? Do you really think I’m so naive that I can’t see what this is all about? Who buys a human being in this day and age? Are they purchasing my internal organs? Do they plan to use me as a prostitute or as a house enslaved person?”

This time, he laughed.

“Where did you get that idea? You’ll be a member of their family. They’re going to take care of you.”

“I’m not going anywhere!” I shouted. “Can you hear me? You are a loser, a jerk. I won’t let you profit from me. I have my life and career, and I will continue living here—even if it means going to the police to report you.”

I pointed at him, but fear stopped me from speaking further as he stood up and shoved me against the wall. He grabbed my neck. I felt like crying, but I didn’t want to show any weakness.

“Shut up, you little brat! You’re leaving tomorrow. Don’t make me repeat myself if you want to stay in one piece!