One wrong move and a moment of passion that gave way to negligence ruined everything. It brought my worst fears to reality, and I could do nothing about it.
I had no idea what his actual plan regarding AcadM was, but all I knew was he was ending Matthew's dream and the career that he had built, not to mention my worst nightmare about halting Mira's treatment.
"If you forgive me one last time, I'll do whatever you want."
"You'll do whatever I want?" He scoffed. "For that I don't have to forgive you. YOU WILL DO WHATEVER I WANT."
Unlike last time, he didn't lock me up. He left me free only to witness his wrath on the people I cared about.
As soon as he walked away, I ran to my bedroom, crying. Multiple emotions that hit me started to hurt my head and heart, and I lost my sense of thinking. Immediately, I called Matthew.
"Matt!" I spoke in my shivering voice.
"Elira? What happened?" His worried tone made me cry out loud.
"He… he knows. He caught us. Now, he's going after you and Mira." I sobbed.
"What did you say?" He shouted. "Mr. Wolfe knows?"
"Yes! He said he's going to finish AcadM and stop Mira's treatment." I tried to sound as normal as possible, but it only worsened with my sobs and stutters.
"Fuck!"
The only response that I got from him. He was also scared. I could feel it.
"Matt! Save me, please. I know it's a selfish thing to ask, but please free me soon. Until I'm bound by contract, even if he stops Mira's treatment, I can't take another job and arrange money for her payment."
"Of course, Elira! I told you I'd free you. I won't go back on my words." He paused for a moment and then asked, "Did he truly mention he's going to finish AcadM?"
"Yes! Please be careful. I don't know what he's going to do."
"Don't worry! I'll take care of everything. Even if he stops Mira's treatment, I'm here to pay for it, and I'll pay for the termination of the contract. But…"
"But what?" I was frustrated. I didn't expect his 'buts' even in such situations. I only wanted to hear soothing words and the promise of him taking care of everything.
"But to do all those things, we need to protect AcadM from him. Only if it's safe can we have our income and do anything."
Even though he was right, I was not in the position to think about anything. I only wanted to protect the three of us.
"Elira…" His low voice hit my ears. "Mr. Wolfe listens to you. Can you try convincing him to not go after AcadM? I am confident that I can stop him, but your help saves me from unnecessary trouble."
"Do you think I didn't try? I begged him, but he didn't listen to me. He's not in the position to listen to anyone…"
"He'd listen to you. I don't know if it's because of the contract or something else, I could understand that he wants you. We can use it for our own."
"What are you saying, Matt?" I held my head with my palms.
There were a few seconds of silence from the other side, and then he said, "You know Mr. Wolfe better than me. You've been with him for months, so you must know the way to calm him down. He might listen to you if you think properly and make him happy…"
"Make him happy?" I shouted. "You are saying you want me to seduce him and sleep with him, aren't you?"
Even though it was not new for me being the whore to Mr. Wolfe, Matthew's words felt like pinching the already wounded heart. Instead of getting angry that I was with Mr. Wolfe, he was even suggesting a worse way to handle the situation.
"I didn't say that, but we have to do something."
He was confused and making me confused. I fell on the bed, not knowing what to do. His plan wouldn't work. I didn't have to particularly seduce Mr. Wolfe; if he wanted, he'd do anything to me, and no one would even question him.
"Okay fine, leave it, Elira. I'll think of something if you don't want to help me."
"Matt! I want to help you. I truly want to." I shouted. "But… it's me and my sister who need help now."
"I know... I'm getting another call. Will call you later."
"Matt! Matt!" He abruptly cut the call. In the late night, what was the meaning of him getting another call? I could only assume it was being a part of Mr. Wolfe's plan.
All night, I stayed awake. Even when I slightly dozed off, the bloodshed and his anger kept jolting me awake.
The first thing that I did the next morning was to go to the hospital to see how Mira was. She was not in the VIP ward anymore and was moved to the general area.
Standing outside, I kept my gaze on my little sister, who looked confused while her eyes searched for the answers. Even though she never said, I saw how much she loved staying in that VIP room.
My chest hurt, and I didn't even dare go in front of her. I couldn't tell her I ruined everything or again come up with some more lies, so I only walked away and talked to the doctor about her condition.
"She's totally fine now, but we can't discharge her yet, because she needs some monitoring. Apart from that, she's totally ready to live like all others, of course with some extra care."
"Is it?" My eyes filled with tears of happiness, but then I remembered the amount that needed to be paid. "Doctor! How much do I still have to pay until she gets discharged?"
"I see that she's not in the VIP ward anymore…" He looked at me with his questioning eyes. Even though he was curious about the sudden change, he didn't ask me about it and only said, "It won't be much unless there's an emergency. However, the chances of an emergency are very low, so you don't have to worry."
I simply nodded my head and thanked him. Even if it was a very small amount, I had no source of income to pay for it. I could not even cancel the contract without paying the termination amount even if he stopped Mira's treatment because in the contract it was clearly stated that he had all the rights related to Mira's treatment and could stop it when I violated the rules, but I still had to serve the contract unless I paid the termination amount.
With many thoughts in my head, I reached the waiting area, and the news that played on the TV made me fall to the chair.
Reporter: The rising startup AcadM founder has been charged with financial statement fraud and is being investigated. Can he provide justification, or is it the end of AcadM?
We ruined everything.