Aria POV:

"Get over here, you little brat!" my father roared, and I flinched. I'd been doing my best to stay out of his way all day, but I must have made some small mistake that set him off. He was in a foul mood, as he often was.

I walked slowly to the living room, where he was sitting in his recliner, a beer in one hand and the remote in the other. "What do you have to say for yourself?" he demanded.

I stood there, frozen, not knowing what to say. If I spoke up, I knew he'd just get angrier. But if I stayed silent, he'd only get angrier as well.

"Cat got your tongue?" he sneered. "You know what you did. You always do something wrong. You're never good enough."

Tears pricked at my eyes, but I knew I couldn't let them fall. "I'm sorry," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Sorry?" he shouted, standing up from the chair. "Sorry doesn't cut it. You're worthless, you know that? Absolutely worthless. No one would ever want you. You're a burden to me. I wish you'd never been born." I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. I wanted to disappear, to run away and never come back. But I knew I couldn't. I had nowhere to go, and no one to help me.

"I'm sorry," I repeated, even though I knew it wouldn't make a difference.

"Sorry doesn't fix anything," he said, his face red with rage.

"You need to be punished. You need to learn your lesson. Get over here."

I stood rooted to the spot, my body trembling. "I said get over here!" he bellowed, and I flinched again.

I knew what was coming next, and I couldn't stop it. I slowly walked over to him, my heart pounding in my chest. He grabbed my arm and yanked me towards him. I tried to pull away, but his grip was too strong.

"I'm sorry, please stop," I pleaded, but he ignored me. He pulled me even closer, until I was right in front of him. "You need to learn your lesson," he said, and before I could react, he slapped me across the face. I felt the sting of his hand on my cheek, and I knew it would leave a mark.

Tears streamed down my face, but I didn't make a sound.

"That's just the beginning," he said, and I knew what he meant. I closed my eyes, knowing that there was no way out.

I struggled against his grip, trying to break free.

"Let me go!" I shouted, my voice cracking. But he didn't let go. Instead, he pulled me closer, his eyes filled with hatred.

"You're never going to learn, are you?" he said, his words full of disgust. I felt like I was going to be sick. I couldn't take it anymore.

"Please, just stop," I begged, my voice breaking. But he just laughed, a cruel, mocking laugh, He smirked at me, and I felt my stomach turn. "I don't think so," he said.

I was terrified, and I didn't know what to do. I felt frozen, unable to move or speak. "Maybe I should just teach you a lesson you won't forget," he said, his voice low and threatening.

"No," I said, finding my voice. "Please, don't hurt me. I'll do anything you want. Just please, don't hurt me." He looked at me, and I could see the anger in his eyes.

"Okay my dear child" Father said with a fake smile.

"I need you to get dressed and look pretty for some guests." He said while glaring at me.

"Why do you need me to get dressed up?" I asked, confused by this sudden request. "Just do as I say," he said, his voice stern. "I don't want to have to repeat myself."

I nodded, and headed to my room to get ready. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest as I changed into my best dress. What was going on? Why did he want me to get dressed up? I felt a knot of fear in my stomach as I brushed my hair and put on some makeup.

I walked out of my room, feeling self-conscious and nervous. Father was waiting for me in the living room

"Good," he said, nodding approvingly. "Now, follow me." I followed him out to the front door, where I saw a car waiting in the driveway.

Father opened the door and ushered me inside. The car started moving, and I felt a sense of dread as we drove away from my home. Where were we going? And why? I felt a sense of panic rising up inside me.

The car pulled up in front of a large, imposing building. I had never seen it before, and it looked imposing and foreboding. Father got out of the car and opened my door.

"Come," he said, his voice low and commanding. I stepped out of the car, my legs trembling as I followed him up the steps to the front door. He opened the door, and I stepped inside. The room was dark and smelled of stale air. I felt a chill run down my spine as I looked around. What was happening? What was this place?

Suddenly, a light flickered on, and I saw a group of people sitting around a table. They all turned to look at me, and I felt my heart pound in my chest. One of them stood up, and I recognized him as my father's business partner.

"Welcome, Aria," he said, his voice smooth and oily.

"I'm glad you could join us." I didn't know what to say, so I just stood there, frozen in fear.

"Is this the girl?" A large man asked, he was sitting at the far ending of the table.

I looked at my father who looked like he was the happiest man standing in the room.

"Yes Mr King, she's the one" He stated looking at me for a second then back at the large man.

He hummed before looking to his left , where a younger looking guy sat, his face held no emotion.

"Lucas, my son, would you accept her?" He asked the man who's eyes never left mine.

"I suppose she'll have to do," the man named Lucas said, his voice bored.

"But she doesn't look like much. Why her?" My heart sank at his words. He thought I wasn't good enough? What did he want me for, then? I was so confused.

My father cleared his throat. "She's special," he said, his voice full of pride again.

"You'll see." Lucas raised an eyebrow, but said nothing. I felt my palms getting sweaty.

"Ok then , let's round this up mates" The large man said loudly before looking at me.

"Grab the girl" Was all he said.

Then from no where a large man stood up and threw me over his shoulders, heading towards the door.

As the man carried me towards the door, I struggled against his hold. I tried to break free, but he was too strong. I was terrified of what he would do to me. I closed my eyes, hoping that this was just a bad dream.

The man carried me to a large, black car. He opened the door and threw me inside. I landed on the floor of the car, my head spinning. I heard the door slam shut, and the car began to move. I was trapped.