That night—
Lucy sat quietly in the living room.
Her mother was talking.
Ruben kept asking questions.
Her father listened, silent as always.
"…you've been coming home late these days," her mother said, folding her arms.
"What is going on with you?"
Lucy forced a small smile.
"Nothing, Mom. Just work."
Ruben scoffed.
"Work doesn't make someone look like that."
Lucy shot him a look.
"Like what?"
"Like you haven't slept in days."
Silence.
Her mother's expression changed slightly.
"Lucy… is something wrong?"
Lucy shook her head quickly.
"No."
"Then why are you hiding things?" her mother pressed.
"I'm not hiding anything."
Her father finally spoke.
His voice calm—but firm.
"You are."
Lucy looked at him.
"You don't look us in the eye when you talk," he added.
Her chest tightened.
"I said I'm fine," she replied, a little sharper now.
Ruben stood up.
"No, you're not fine!"
"Ruben—" their mother tried to calm him.
"No, Mom," he said, turning to Lucy.
"You've been acting strange for days now. If something is wrong, just say it."
Lucy's hands clenched.
"I will handle it," she said.
That made it worse.
Her mother's face fell.
"Handle what?" she asked softly.
"What are you dealing with that you can't tell your own family?"
Lucy didn't answer.
And that silence—
Spoke too loudly.
Her father shook his head slowly.
"This is not how we raised you," he said.
The words hit.
Hard.
Lucy looked down.
"I just don't want to worry you," she said quietly.
Her mother's voice broke slightly.
"We are already worried."
Before Lucy could respond—
A knock came.
Everyone went silent.
They all turned toward the door.
"At this time?" Ruben muttered.
Lucy stood up slowly.
Her heart already racing.
"I'll check," she said.
She walked to the door.
Her steps slow.
Something didn't feel right.
She opened it.
And froze.
Him.
Standing there.
Calm.
Like he owned the night.
Lucy's breath caught.
Behind him—
Jurbe.
Lucy's eyes widened.
Confusion.
Shock.
"You…?" she whispered.
Before she could say anything else—
He stepped inside.
Lucy moved back instinctively.
Jurbe followed quietly.
Her family stood up immediately.
"Good evening…" her mother said carefully, sensing something was wrong.
No response.
His eyes were already on Lucy.
"You didn't report."
The room fell silent.
Lucy swallowed.
"I was still working on it—"
"Two days."
His voice cut through her words.
Lucy shook her head quickly.
"There's still time. I told you I didn't take anything. I just need—"
"I don't wait."
Silence.
Her parents looked between them.
Confused.
"…Lucy?" her mother called slowly.
"What is he talking about?"
Lucy's heart dropped.
"Nothing—Mom, it's nothing—"
"Nothing?" Ruben stepped forward.
"Then why is he in our house talking like this?"
Lucy couldn't answer.
Her father's voice came, deeper now.
"Explain."
Lucy turned to them.
Her chest tight.
"I… I didn't want to tell you," she said.
Her mother's face changed instantly.
"Tell us what?"
Before Lucy could speak
He did.
"She stole from my company."
The words landed like a blow.
"WHAT?" Ruben snapped.
"That's not true!" Lucy said immediately.
"I didn't take anything!"
Her mother looked at her.
Hurt.
Confused.
"And you didn't think to tell us?" she asked, her voice breaking.
Lucy shook her head.
"I was trying to fix it—"
"Fix it alone?" her father said.
Silence.
That disappointment—
Was worse than anything.
Lucy turned quickly to him again.
"Please… I just need more time," she said.
"I can prove it. I know I can"
"You had time."
He raised his hand slightly.
The door opened.
Men walked in.
Dressed in black.
Armed.
Lucy's breath hitched.
Her mother gasped.
Ruben stepped in front of Lucy instinctively.
"Stay back," he said.
Lucy grabbed his arm quickly.
"No—Ruben"
She stepped forward.
And dropped to her knees.
"Please!" she cried.
"My family has nothing to do with this. If you think I did something, then deal with me leave them out of it."
Her voice shook.
He looked down at her.
Unmoved.
"One condition."
Lucy looked up immediately.
"I'll do anything," she said.
"Anything."
"You'll be mine."
Lucy blinked.
"You will be mine," he continued calmly.
"And you will do everything I say… until I decide otherwise."
The room went still.
Her mother dropped to her knees.
"No… no, please… not my daughter…"
Her father followed.
"Take anything else—but not her," he said.
He looked at them.
Cold.
"No one gives me orders."
Lucy's chest tightened painfully.
Her parents
Begging.
Because of her.
Tears fell freely now.
She stood up slowly.
"…I'll do it," she said.
"Lucy, no!" Ruben shouted.
She didn't look at them.
"I'll do it," she repeated.
"Just leave them alone."
He turned.
"Take her."
The men moved.
Her mother rushed forward, holding her tightly.
"You can't go with him!"
Lucy held her back gently.
"It's okay," she whispered.
"I'll be fine."
Her voice was weak.
But she forced it.
"I promise."
She pulled away.
They took her outside.
Before leaving
He dropped a bundle of money on the table.
"Use it," he said calmly.
"Consider it mercy."
Her father's jaw tightened.
"Even after what your daughter did," he added,
"I still showed restraint."
Then he walked out.
Like it was nothing.
Lucy was pushed into the car.
The door shut.
And just like that
She was gone.
Behind her
Her family broke.