Page 3 of Tainted Ties

We walked to the stables in silence, the only sound coming from our boots crunching against the thick snow. “Where are the horses?” I asked, my face twisting in confusion.

When I received no answer, that’s when I heard it.

A muffled sound coming from somewhere in the stables, as if someone were struggling to speak. My heart dropped. “Who is that?”

My question went unanswered.

“Come, Aurora,” he ordered.

His calmness infuriated me but had my skin crawling with fear. I knew I couldn’t escape when his hand circled my elbow, pulling me inside.

The muffled sounds grew until I found a man shackled to a chair. His mouth was gagged by a piece of brown cloth, diminishing his screams. Instinct took over and I moved toward the man. “Let him go!” I panicked.

I didn’t make it far before I was yanked back by my coat. “I will, eventually.” A sinister expression took over my father’s face.

Disgust brewed in me as I unleashed myself from his grasp. “I don’t want to watch you kill him,” I spat out.

An amused chuckle escaped his thin lips. “You don’t even know this man. Besides, I’m not killing him.”

Relief washed over me as I inhaled deeply. But the next two words that followed paralyzed me. “You are.”

Nausea rolled through me, drying out my mouth. I backed away as my vision turned hazy from unshed tears. “I- I’m not.I won’t.”

I turned to run but found the entryway of the stables blocked by three men. That’s when the first tear fell down my face.

A heavy hand dropped onto my shoulder. “This is for your own good,mia cara. It’s time to get over that stupid fear of yours.” He exhaled obnoxiously, his voice dripping with distaste as his grip held firm.

Stupid fear.

I was naive to think today would be different. He wanted to break me, my morals, and what was left of my heart.

Puffs of air were visible as I steadied my breathing, blinking back the tears threatening to release and faced my father. “Mammawould be disgusted by you,” I seethed through gritted teeth.

I knew I had taken it too far when the back of his hand connected with my cheek. The slap was forceful, sending me to the ground.

Absently, I palmed my cheek to relieve the sting.

When the metallic taste of blood settled on my tongue, I knew he had split open my lip.

An object dropped in front of me with a thud.A gun.“Pick it up,” he commanded bitterly.

When I didn’t show any intention of moving, he tried another tactic. “Pick it up, or Chiara will pay the price.” The weight of his threat settled between us, churning my stomach in knots.

I hesitated for a moment before wrapping my fingers around the cold metal.

“Now, get up and walk to him.” Another command from my father that I couldn’t resist.

My legs were restless as I tried to hold my balance. The resentment I felt for my father intensified as I took in his stoic expression and the small amount of love I had left for him withered with each step I took.

The sight of the shackled man caused the bile in my throat to rise. His forehead was dripping with sweat and his eyes were rimmed red with tears. I couldn’t help but look away as I pointed the gun at him with shaking hands.

“Look at him when you do it.”

The tears streamed down my face uncontrollably when I opened my eyes again to the helpless man. The front of his pants was a shade darker than before, and I realized he had peed on himself.

I caught his fearful eyes and whispered, “I’m sorry.”

My rapid heartbeat drowned out his groans as I pulled the trigger.

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