The stolen affection

he crowded bus, clutching the torn straps of her second-hand backpack. The city roared around her - ang

ust anot

ht she had

umbling apartment complex she called home. The streets smelled of oil, rain, and forgotten dream

a time, ignoring the sharp protests of her aching legs. She had just come from her second job - waitressing at Tony's, a

had to check

open under her

edication and despai

tly, stepping into th

's heart twisted at the sight. Her mother, once vibrant and strong, now looked like a shad

her mother whisper

to her side,

" she asked, forcing a smile that

You work too hard, baby. This...thi

umorless sound. "Well, i

ere three months behind on rent. The hospital bills kept coming. And the loan shark her mother had sec

ad no

bring her some soup after her next shift. Then, grabbin

swallowed

-

ips. Ariana stood behind the counter, the neon light

n, laughing too loud, bu

wled the late-night streets - desp

d 3 a.m., she thought ab

arship she had once

hidden under

t like it belonged

n the counter

oul was somewhere else - som

the dark SUV

p suits stepping into the

ve the door

ntered the store. One locked the door behind them. The

taller one asked, his

her hands fre

s ask

but there was no

y t

he said simply. "

lammed agai

y vaulted the counter ea

e-!" she cried, st

y hea

dy c

ople knew when to min

e world tilted, spun, and blurred

mmed behind her,

e city was the flicker

kness swallo

-

e first thing she no

s. No shout

cold, stone walls, no windows. Chains hung from the ceiling. A

e saw t

expensive suits and designer dresses - sitting

it her like a p

n't a ki

an au

man approached, grabbing her arm

ase-!" s

lost under the n

mering so loud she could barely hear the a

d with a sneer. "Fresh. Un

ppled throu

ed to die r

-

aning against a marble pill

ame was whispered with fear even in th

winter storm - settled on Ar

nothing

eak. Pa

he way she glared at the cro

ost slaves

ing for a man like Leonardo, who had seen too

e of two fingers

han anyo

nce

beamed. "Sold!

red again as she was

- but her life had just