At spice bar

"Yeah marriage and that to a rich man. You should be happy I paired you up with a rich man" he retorted lighting another stick of cigarette.

" Sign it before I come back, else... " He warned and left the house after dressing up .

...

"Just stay away from her. Don't help her anymore," Honey Bell retorted abruptly, turning to leave and leaving Harrison speechless in her wake.

"How am I supposed to do that?" he whispered to himself, feeling torn between his conscience and his desire to help.

He couldn't deny the attraction he felt towards Nancy, and he also couldn't bear the thought of staying away from her.

...

Marissa approached her weakened and unconscious mother, feeling vulnerable and exposed. She reached for a bottle of water and poured it over herself.

After some time, her mother's eyes fluttered open. They widened in surprise when she saw Marissa standing there naked.

"Marissa!" she cried out.

"Mother," Marissa cried back, wrapping her arms around her mother. It had been far too long since she last saw her, and the sight of her again filled her with joy.

They pulled away from their embrace, and Marissa's mother glanced over at her daughter's unclothed body.

"He violated you again," she wailed, her voice filled with anguish.

"Why did you come back? You shouldn't have worried about me. I told you to leave this country, but you never listen. You shouldn't have come here. I won't survive for much longer, so don't worry about me," her mother remarked tearfully.

"You're not dying, Mother, and I promise to get us both out of this. No matter how hard I try to run, he always finds me. He has connections everywhere. Remember what happened when I attempted to flee the country and what he did to both of us. I don't want us to endure that suffering again, Mother. It was unbearably painful," Marissa wailed, her eyes tightly shut as she recalled those torturous moments.

"What does he want from you this time?" her mother asked, concern etched on her face.

"He wants me to get married," Marissa cried.

"But I'm in love with someone else. How can I marry someone I don't even love, someone I barely even know?" Marissa sobbed.

Her mother pulled her into a tight embrace, trying to comfort her.

"I think you should consider marrying the person he chooses. Maybe your future husband can help us," Mrs. Alvarado suggested, tears welling up in her eyes.

"But Mom, what if he's just like Dad?" Marissa asked tearfully.

Mrs. Alvarado's heart broke at the mention of Marissa's abusive father.

"I don't want you to endure any more suffering. We're both so helpless. There's no one who can come to our rescue," Mrs. Alvarado replied.

"So, you're saying I should sign?" Marissa asked, locking eyes with her mother.

"Yes, sign it, or he'll force you to do it, and that won't be good," Mrs. Alvarado said with a heavy heart.

Tears continued to stream down Marissa's cheeks as she looked down at the file in front of her. The weight of her decision felt unbearable.

"Mom, I'm scared," she whispered, her voice trembling.

Her mother held her hand tightly, offering her unwavering support. "I know, my dear, but sometimes in life, we have to make difficult choices for the sake of survival. Your safety and well-being are paramount."

Marissa nodded, understanding the gravity of her mother's words. Despite her fear and uncertainty, she knew that complying with her captor's demands might provide a glimmer of hope for their future.

"But what if this marriage traps us even further?" Marissa questioned, her voice filled with doubt.

Mrs. Alvarado's gaze softened, and she gently wiped the tears from her daughter's face. "We may not have control over the circumstances forced upon us, but we can choose how we navigate through them. Perhaps this marriage can be an opportunity to form connections, to find allies who can help us escape this vicious cycle."

Marissa took a deep breath, finding solace in her mother's unwavering belief in their resilience. "You're right, Mom. We will face this together and find a way to break free from this nightmare."

With newfound determination, Marissa reached for the pen, her hand trembling slightly. She hesitated for a moment, then placed the pen to paper and signed her name. As the ink dried, it symbolized a sacrifice born out of love and a desperate plea for a better future.

Her mother held her tightly, their hearts intertwined in a shared understanding of the arduous path that lay ahead. Together, they would face the challenges, support each other, and never lose hope.

"I love you, Mom," Marissa whispered, her voice filled with gratitude.

"I love you too, my dear. Remember, no matter what trials we face, we will always have each other," her mother replied, her voice filled with a mixture of sorrow and unwavering love.

As they embraced, the weight of their circumstances hung heavy in the room, but the spark of resilience in their eyes burned brighter than ever before. With determination and the power of love, they would navigate the difficult journey that lay ahead, seeking a light at the end of the darkest tunnels.

...

Spice Bar

Charles arrived in front of the bar, feeling the need to cool himself down. He wore a mask to ensure no one would recognize him. He found an available seat, sat down, and ordered a glass of wine.

Shortly after, Erickson and Edward entered the bar to meet Charles.

"Wow, Mr. Ice Man arrived here earlier than we expected," Edward teased.

"Great, now I'm Mr. Ice Man," Charles responded, giving Edward a playful glance.

"Well, lucky for you, no one is trying to push you into the mud today," Teddy mockingly added.

"I swear, I'll take you both down," Charles threatened playfully, causing them all to burst out laughing as they took their seats.

The loud booming music filled the bar, enveloping the space in energetic vibes. People were dancing, smoking, drinking, and enjoying themselves.