Chapter 4: Bought and Broken

5

I woke to Lucas’s kisses. As soon as I opened my eyes, he rolled me over.

Sunlight striped the old comforter. His hands slid under my shirt, greedy. It felt like I’d barely slept.

“Natalie.”

He pressed his hot chest against my back, lips at my ear, breath heavy.

His voice was softer in the morning, almost sweet. It made my heart flutter, even when I tried to stay detached.

“Don’t go home today, okay?”

I bit my lip, a mortifying sound escaping.

I wanted to say yes, but guilt twisted in my gut. My mom would be waiting, coffee brewed, a to-do list already in her head.

“I can’t. I have to help my mom at the truck...”

The words came out small. Lucas always hated when I brought up my responsibilities.

He tensed. “You’re my girl, Nat. I hate seeing you bust your ass for tips. Let me help, okay?”

His touch grew heavier, but his voice softened as he coaxed, “Let me take care of you, Nat. You shouldn’t have to hustle at that truck. I’ll cover whatever you need—just stay with me.”

He always tried to fix things with money. Maybe that was his love language—throwing bills at problems. Part of me wanted to say yes, to let him save me. Another part just felt small.

Fifteen thousand dollars blinked on my cracked phone. I pressed my palm over the screen, heart thumping. No one in my family had ever seen that much money in one place.

I shook my head, pushing Lucas away. My eyes burned with tears. “I really like you, Lucas. I don’t want your money.”

My voice broke; the tears came faster than I could stop them. I hated crying in front of him, but I couldn’t help it.

He looked at me, pained. But I knew—guys in bed want to give you their hearts, especially after a first time. Especially if it started as a bet and now they feel guilty.

His thumb brushed my cheek, awkward and unsure. He just held me tighter.

“I know, you’re not that kind of girl. If you were, you wouldn’t have turned down those other guys. You wouldn’t have given their gifts back.”

I dropped my lashes, crying quietly. Lucas, not a patient guy, still held me and coaxed, “Okay, okay, don’t cry. I want to help you, Nat. That’s it. Be good, babe.”

He kissed the top of my head, hands warm on my back. I leaned into him, pretending this was real.

I didn’t say anything, just hugged his waist. “Lucas, I’m willing too...”

I pressed my face into his chest, breathing in his scent. For a second, the world felt simple.

That day when I got home, Lucas sent me $15,000 on Venmo, marked as a gift.

I stared at the notification, the zeros looking unreal. I silenced my phone, scared my mom might see.

I lay on my squeaky twin bed, counting those zeros over and over. No one in my family had ever seen that much. But it still wasn’t enough.

The springs groaned as I stared at the ceiling, doing hopeless math—what we owed, what I’d have to do to keep Lucas interested. It was a losing game.

My mom hurt someone years ago, and they’re still bedridden. Every month, their family comes to demand compensation—like a bottomless pit. But now, I saw a glimmer of hope.

Sometimes I’d hear the knock at the door, voices arguing in the hall. I kept a jar of coins by the bed, just in case. But for the first time, I imagined a life where nobody came knocking anymore.

I thought, I’ll be even more obedient. Lucas will stay longer. I can enjoy him, get more money, go to my dream school, pay off the debt, and take my mom away.

Maybe that’s all anyone really wants—hope, and someone to hold onto, even if only for a while.