36

AUDREY
Gabriel settled on the lounge stool across from me.
“I can’t really tell if we were close or if we’ve ever been, but he was compassionate, unflawed… but I hurt him. What I did was unforgivable.”
I looked up into Gabriel’s gaze, and his expression turned dark. “What happened to this boy?” His voice was hoarse.
“He died, and it’s my fault, Gabriel. I caused someone’s undeserved misery and death when he was so pure and so kind. It haunts me every single day…” I buried my face in my palms and began to sob as my chest started to feel heavy.
“What did you do to this boy?” he went on.
I stared back at his face, my lips trembling. “I didn’t trust him. I stole his freedom and sent him to the abyss. For this man that I knew was innocent had spent his last breath in agony. It is something I couldn’t redeem myself with.”
Gabriel straightened his shoulder, and his eyes dimmed. He scratched his temple. “What exactly did you do? Did you cause this boy’s death? How? Who was he to you?”
I clenched my sweaty palms, uncomfortable with the present situation. Gabriel would hate me if he found out what I did. “You see, I never told anyone… I’m scared of losing anybody anymore. I lived in a lie, convincing myself to go on, but at the end of the day, it’s all coming back. I could never run from it—”
“Then stop running!” he snapped as if he could already understand the situation. “Face it, Audrey. You just have to look forward.”
“Eight years ago, I ran away from home, but I wasn’t successful at first. I was back—No, actually, he brought me back…”

Eight years ago…
It was midnight when I heard Dad, Anton, and Samuel’s voices, arguing in the hallway close to my bedroom. I had been crying all day, and I was exhausted but couldn’t sleep. Today, my father decided on my fate.
“You’re going to send Audrey to that old man Benjamin tomorrow… to his home? Did you expect me to rejoice?” It was Samuel’s voice. “Did you want me to thank you? I’ll admit it, Dad, I can’t do anything for my sister, but it doesn’t mean I’m stupid enough like Anton to let you sell her to that dirty old man!”
“What the fuck did you say?” Anton reacted with hammering noises, and heavy footsteps followed. “Do you fucking have the right to decide for the family?”
“And do you, Anton?” Samuel fired back.
“Enough!” Dad growled.
Silence.
“Audrey is going to be old enough in a few years to legalize the nuptials,” Dad went on. “Benjamin will wait for her until she turns twenty, but he already wants to be close to her. And my decision is final!” He pointed firmly. “Not one of you can disobey me. I’m doing this for the sake of the family. Our business is going down the drain—”
“Fuck the business!” Samuel cursed. “Fuck that, Benjamin Scott! Fuck him. Audrey is only sixteen! How could you do this to your own daughter?”
I sat up and curled myself into one piece, whimpering in the dark, scared of Dad’s voice, frightened for my future. I wished Mom was still here. She wouldn’t let this happen. She would protect me…
“You insolent child!” Dad bellowed, then I heard a brash spank sound. A dead silence came after.
I didn’t notice I had already fallen asleep when someone woke me with a whisper. My room was still dark, and my eyes were still droopy from having a night of interrupted sleep. I recognized the voice. It was Samuel.
“Audrey… Audrey? Wake up.”
I forced myself to sit up, but his face was still in the fog and unclear. “Sam?”
“Yes, it’s me,” he whispered. “Get up. I’m going to take you out of here.”
“W-what? How?”
“Everyone’s still asleep. Listen to me very carefully. You have to get away from here, Audrey. I’m going to help you in every way I can. You… don’t have to marry Benjamin. Go live your life.”
“Sam?” I began to cry again and pulled him into a bear hug. “I’m scared.”
He gently stroked circles on my back. “Shh… I know. Me too. That’s why you need to leave. I talked to a friend that is also leaving for New York today, but he agreed to wait for you at the train station. I’m going to take you there now. I’m going to send you some cash from time to time.”
I tightened my embrace around his neck. “Which friend?”
“The one I trusted the most. He’s a very good guy, and he knows you, Audrey. He will help you once you get there, and I will follow you, okay?”
I nodded. “Okay…”
“Now, let’s get you warmed up. Wear this coat, and I’m going to take you out of here. I won’t let Dad send you to Benjamin’s house, knowing that he’ll only destroy you. This is the only thing I can do.”
I stepped out of bed, grabbed a jacket from my closet, and stuck a few things in a suitcase with Samuel’s help.
“How about you? What if Dad finds out?” I asked.
“I can take care of myself. Are you done?”
“These are the only things I can take in the suitcase.”
He nodded. “All right, that’s okay. Come. Let’s get you out of here.”
Samuel carefully and soundlessly picked up the suitcase with his hand while his other hand grasped my wrist, and then we sneaked out of the mansion. Darkness was still spreading out to the sky when we went out.
It was four in the morning when we reached the station, riding Samuel’s horse, Fox because we didn’t want to attract attention to the car. At the far end of the platform, a familiar-looking boy in a worn-out shirt and jeans waved his hand at us. A smile spread across his face.
“Liam!” Samuel approached, and both guys exchanged a brief hug.
“Sam.”
“Liam, this is Audrey, my sister, and Audrey, this is Liam,” Samuel introduced. “And you know Mr. Cross, who works in our vineyard, right? He’s his son.”
I looked at Liam’s young, charming face. I had to admit that with those cerulean eyes, dark hair, firmly etched mouth, and a radiant smile, the guy was utterly handsome. No, he was beautiful.
“Oh, of course, I remember him now. How could I forget? He’d always pass by the mansion to deliver bottles and some stuff.” I smiled back at him but still couldn’t tear my gaze away. “I’m Audrey. Nice to meet you.”
“I know. I mean, I see you every day,” He scratched his head, and his face turned red. He shook my hands. “Nice to meet you, Audrey.”