Chapter 3 I will get married

The house had been silent since the altercation earlier that day.

Heaven locked herself in her room, curled up on her bed, her cheek still red from her mother’s slap. No one had come to check on her, they never did. Downstairs, the sound of low glass clinking broke the quiet as Damien Kalabora poured himself another drink, drowning in his own regret.

Then came the knock.

Not polite. Not patient.

Another one followed harder this time, loud enough to shake the front door on its hinges.

“Who could…” Damien began, but the words died in his throat as the door burst open, slamming against the wall.

Meredith and Summer screamed.

Four men stepped into the mansion, leather jackets glinting under the chandelier, tattoos creeping up their necks like snakes. Their eyes were cold, empty.

Behind them came their leader, a broad man with a thick neck, a gold tooth flashing when he smiled. A cigarette dangled between his fingers as if the house already belonged to him.

“Evening, Mr. Kalabora,” he drawled, his voice dripping with mockery. “We were just in the neighborhood. Thought we’d pay a little visit.”

Damien’s stomach dropped. “Mr. Vargo… I…I thought you agreed to give me more time—”

“Time?” Vargo repeated, his grin twisting cruelly. “You’ve had six months, old man. I’m a patient man, but patience doesn’t pay my bills.”

He nodded to one of his men. In an instant, Damien was grabbed by the collar and slammed against the wall.

“Please!” Meredith cried, stepping forward. “Mr. Vargo, there’s no need for violence—we’re respectable people, not thieves! My husband will pay you!… he just needs more time.”

“Where’s my money?” Vargo hissed, ignoring her pleas.

“I… I don’t—please, just a few more days—”

“Wrong answer.”

The first blow landed hard on Damien’s ribs. He groaned, the sound raw and broken.

Upstairs, Heaven had jolted upright at the noise. Her mother and sister’s scream cut through the silence. She sensed something was wrong and bolted from her room.

“Father!” she screamed from the top of the stairs when she saw the thug hitting him, she sprinted down, bare feet slapping against the floor.

Another blow hit before she reached them.

“Stop! Please!” She threw herself between her father and the man raising his fist again. “He’s hurt can’t you see?!”

Vargo tilted his head, studying her. His eyes crawled over her trembling hands, her tear-streaked face.

“Well, well,” he drawled. “Pretty thing. Shame about your father’s bad choices.”

“Please,” she begged, voice shaking. “We’ll pay. I’ll find a way. I promise.”

He smiled, slow and dark. “You have cute daughters, don’t you?”

Damien’s head jerked up, protective. “Leave them out of this—”

Vargo’s gaze slid towards Summer, who stood frozen behind her mother, wide-eyed. “I’ll keep that one until you can pay me,” he said lazily.

Panic exploded in the room.

Damien lunged to protect his daughter, only to be struck from behind. The wooden plank hit his back with a sickening crack, sending him to his knees. Blood spilled from his mouth, painting the floor red.

“Father!” Heaven cried out her voice cracking.

Vargo advanced toward Summer, grinning as he reached her. His fingers hooked her sleeve, tearing the fabric. “Such a delicate little Creature…”

Summer screamed, shaking her head, stumbling back.

“Please, stop!” Meredith begged, rushing forward, only to be shoved aside. She fell hard, breathless, panic washing over her.

Then her eyes snapped toward Heaven.

“Heaven, please,” she gasped with desperation. “If we don’t pay, they will beat your father to death. And your sister… your sister will never recover from what they will do to her.”

Heaven’s breath shook as she sobbed hard, she looked at the chaos happening right in front of her.

Summer cried out again as Vargo’s tongue brushed her shoulder.

“Mother, please! Help me!”

“Summer!” Meredith cried, turning back to Heaven, her voice sharp with demand now. “See what they’re doing to your sister, Heaven!”

Heaven’s world tilted.

Her father lay bleeding on the floor.

Her sister’s cries cut through her chest and pierced her heart.

Her mother’s eyes pleaded.

Her breath came fast and shallow. The weight of their lives pressed down on her shoulders.

And that was it. The breaking point.

The moment Heaven’s love for her family crushed the last of her will.

Her vision blurred with tears. “You will get your money tomorrow!” she shouted.

The room fell silent. All heads turned towards her.

Vargo’s eyes gleamed. “That,” he said slowly, stepping away from Summer, “I can take.”

He walked towards Damien who was slumped against the wall, groaning. He crouched beside him, slapped his head lightly as if in mock affection. “Tomorrow, then. If I don’t have my money by sundown…” His grin returned, wicked and wide. “My boys will take turns fucking your wife and daughters while you watch. Then I will cut your balls and feed it to you, Don’t test me, Damien.”

He kicked Damien between the legs and walked out, his men following, their laughter echoed as Damien groaned.

The house fell still again.

Meredith rushed to Heaven, breathless, clutching her arm. “Heaven,” she whispered urgently, eyes glinting with something other than grief, “how do you mean we will pay tomorrow?”

Heaven looked at her, face streaked with tears, the sound of her father’s groans still filling the air. Her lips trembled.

“I’ll marry into the Richards family,”