I rushed to the nearest train station and went straight to the province. Although it was almost midnight, I still needed to be by my mother's side so we could plead with the traders to give Papa some more time.

Come to think of it, when did all of this happen? And why didn't Papa tell us anything about this?

"Pfft, it's not like you could've done anything to help him; you're practically broke yourself," I heard my inner me say.

"Yeah, you're right. What use would I be to them?" 500,000 won is quite a sum, so I really don't know how dad would even pay this off," I sighed. The only thing I can do now is offer up my open arms for bear hugs. I give the best hug, you know.

Shortly after midnight, I went straight home to hear any news updates about my father—if he had been found and if the traders had gotten to him first. My mind is troubled and full of different wild scenarios.

What if they had taken him captive and brought him to a dark alley and beaten him to death, or what if they'd hired a hitman to finish him off? Or what if the traders weren't who they said they were? Since no one lifted a hand to help my father, what if the province that I grew up in and have come to love really isn't an ordinary place?

What if it's the hideout of werewolves, and they've sniffed out my father and gone to kill him? Why didn't I listen to myself and make that purchase online? I saw Bane some weeks ago, and I could've been able to protect my dad!

Well, I couldn't bring myself to purchase it because I love werewolves, so hurting them wasn't in the plan when I first came across them.

Oh, get a grip, Freya! There are no such things as vampires and werewolves; it's all in your imagination.

Yes, it's all in my mind, and my dad is safe. Think positive.

I reached my front door and took a deep breath. Anything could be waiting for me behind those doors; I need to be prepared.

"Here goes nothing," I sighed as I turned the door knob and let myself in.

"Mum, are you okay?" Where's da-"  I couldn't finish my sentence because I was shocked by the sight that greeted me.

My mother and father were all sprawled on the floor, drinking sake!

"What the hell?"

"Freya! You're back!" Mum cheered, but I still don't get it; wasn't she the one crying like she was going to break into a million tiny pieces? Like a teenage girl sobbing over her first dried-up mascara.

Uhm, what the hell is going on? Forgive me, but I was expecting the worst-case scenario at this point in time—not two lovebirds drinking sake and reminiscing about their youthful days. It's like nothing happened! Did Mom prank us? Because if this is a prank, then it's not a funny one.

"What's up? How are you doing, mom?" Someone rushed in as I was about to vent my anger.

"Selena!"  They both chanted.

"Big sis, mind telling me what's going on?" She closed the door behind her as she stared at all of us in confusion.

"You guys are just in time! A miracle happened that saved your father." Mom smiled from ear to ear as I dumped my bag on the floor and took a seat.

"Come, come, I will tell you everything that happened," Dad said as he gestured for Selena to take a seat.

"So, there I was, on the brink of death." He started like he was about to narrate a movie where he was the hero.

"Dad, just go straight to the point!" Selena and I shushed him.

"Okay okay," 

"From the beginning this time around," I said, and I felt the atmosphere reduce to a not-so-joyous family reunion.

"Six months ago, I was duped by a young lad in a suit who said he came from town to start a business. I let my overconfidence get to me, and I ended up following him and falling into his trap. When the traders heard about everything, they were furious, but they gave me six months to provide the money, which I clearly failed to do. I was almost killed today, but someone saved me. He paid off all the debts on my head!"

"Are you serious?" Selena and I were both quite shocked. We don't know anyone in the province who could account for such money in one night. What is really going on?

"Okay okay. Enough of the sake; you both have probably been drinking way too much, and you butt dialed us, simple. Selena, this was a false alarm." Let's go to sleep so I can go back to the city tomorrow, and you'll go back to college." I grabbed the bottle before they could fight to protect it.

"I can't believe you guys would do this, you know; we were actually worried." Selena groaned 

"It's not a joke!" "I really almost died; look, I've got bruises," Papa said as he pulled his sleeve up, and that was when we both saw the bandages wrapped around his arm, from his elbow down to his wrists.

"I found your father injured some miles away from the sea shore. You must believe us, children, and there is something you both need to know." The serious look she was putting on made us look back and forth at each other before grabbing a chair to hear this unfinished story.

"This angel, or should I say demon, who saved me didn't just do it for free; I'm very sure he paid them extra for what they wanted, and believe me, girls, I pleaded with him; I begged him that I was willing to work my whole life to pay him back; I would forever be indebted to him, but he wasn't concerned about that; he wanted something more."

I was baffled at how Papa could tremble at the sight of such a man. Replaying the memory is even giving him chills as we speak.

"What did he want, papa?"

"He wanted one of you for his son."

"What!" 

"And you agreed?"

"Obviously, if he hadn't, then he wouldn't be sitting here celebrating."

"Can you believe it?"

"Do you realize that you literally just sold one of your daughters to a stranger? A bloody Samaritan! Who really isn't out to help people but to take from them?"

"Enough, you two!" Mom shouted, and we both fell silent.

"Shouldn't you be grateful your father is still alive? The sole man who has catered and provided for both of you? The least you can do is show your gratitude! Yes, I know this isn't right, but we don't have a choice here; it's either that or your father loses his life! Would you ever come to forgive yourself if you knew you could've done something to change the situation instead of letting him die?"

Hmm, I hate to admit it, but she's right. I don't think I could forgive myself if I knew I could have saved Papa's life just by getting married to some stranger.

"Mama's right," I said.

"What!" Selena looked back at me in disarray.

"I know it's wrong, but won't you regret not saving Papa's life? He needs us now more than ever, so we need to stand by this reckless decision together." I sighed, and then I saw her calm down a bit.

"So who's going to do it?" She asked, and we all stared back at her.

Like? Who do you think it's going to be, baby sister? When realization dawned on her, she gave us a weak smile.

"I'm sorry; you know Michel and I have been in a long relationship, and besides, he's going to propose soon, and I can just feel it."

"And you're single and more beautiful than your sister," Mom added. No, it doesn't bother me because, as it is true, my sister is more beautiful than I am. Even though we have the same silver eyes, she has more grace, youth, and a tiny baby face to add to that beauty. She is literally the picture everyone would take if they wanted any surgeries done on their body, which is to say how excellent she truly is.

"Okay…  "I'll do it," she finally said, and we all jumped on her.

"You won't regret this; he has a lot of money to shower on you, and I'm sure when he sees you, he won't resist falling in love with you!"

"You've made us proud." Papa smiled.

But from the corner of my eye, I saw her lips move.

"Well, what if I don't love him?" She mouthed so no one would hear her. It makes me wonder if she's already found someone she's in love with.

Naaa, she's always been the cold type towards love, so I'm sure she's just unhappy. This will pass; it's a given.

"Can we go to bed now?" I yawned 

"Yes, yes, let's move to our beds."

"I'm glad you're safe now, pa." Selena said as she climbed up the stairs to our rooms.

"Glad you're safe, papa We'll see you in the morning!" I smiled