The weight of Mrs. Sandra's words pressed down on Jane's chest like a leaden shroud. The man—Alexander—the one to whom their late father owed more than a hundred thousand dollars, was coming today. Jane's breath caught in her throat, her mind racing like a storm-tossed ship. Her family's fate, everything they'd tried to hold together after her father's death, now teetered on the edge of collapse.
Without a second thought, she fled from her mother's quiet house, tears streaming unchecked down her face, her heart pounding in frantic rhythm. She had to find Austin. Maybe he still had the shares, the properties she had transferred to him in blind trust—maybe if she begged, if she showed him the truth, he'd relent.
Rain soaked her skin as she reached Austin's house, her steps hurried, desperate. The gate stood closed, an unyielding barrier. She pounded on it, her voice cracking as she called, "Austin! Please, open up! It's Jane."
Minutes felt like hours. Then the gate groaned open, and Austin stood there, eyes cold and hard. "What are you doing here?" he sneered.
Jane's voice trembled, "The man—Alexander—the one Dad owed—he's here. He wants his debt. More than a hundred thousand dollars. Please, Austin, I need you to give me back the shares and properties I gave you. I promise, I'll pay you back. Just don't let this ruin us."
Austin laughed, cruel and bitter. "Why would I do that? It's over between us. You think I care about your promises now? Forget about those properties. You're nothing to me."
Jane's knees buckled, and she sank down, pleading through tears, "Please, Austin… don't do this to me. I'm begging you."
But Austin's scorn was merciless. He shoved her roughly, and the gate slammed shut behind her.
Her phone buzzed sharply. It was her mother. "Jane," she said, voice strained, "Alexander is taking Ginny. We can't stop him."
Panic engulfed Jane. She booked the next taxi, heart hammering wildly.
At home, the scene was grim. Little Ginny was crying in the backseat of a car, surrounded by guards. Alexander stood nearby—young, intimidating, his face a mask of cold determination. Jane dropped to her knees before him. "Please, don't take her. We will pay you back."
Alexander's voice was like ice. "Now?"
She begged, tears falling freely, but he refused. In desperation, Jane offered herself instead. Alexander nodded once and said, "Fine."
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