"Why did you buy me?"
The question was soft, unsure and shaky, but it might as well have been a punch to the gut.
My eyes locked with Ruth's in the rear view mirror, she looked away immediately, shrugging like this was my problem only. Though technically, it was.
"I wanted you." My reply was vain and shallow, but it would have to do.
"But you didn't fuck me last night. Did I do something wrong?" The innocence in her voice was choking, like a rope wrapped around my throat.
"You didn't....don't do that again. That's not why I took you." The car window rolled down, the streets of Chicago flying by in a blur, the calm breeze hitting my face.
"But, that's what I'm for."
"And that's not why I took you." My knuckles paled from how hard my fist clenched. She leaned back, like she was trying to fade or blend into the leather seat of the car.
Her eyes were fixed on my clenched fists, glassy and somewhat wide. "I'm not going to hit you, Ariella." The pain of my nails digging into my palm gave way to relief when my fist unclenched.
The car drove to a halt at the entrance of the estate. A tall golden gate stood, connected to the concrete wall that went around the white, illuminated mansion where my whole life was based. Even through the gates the sound of the angel fountain that stood right infront of the golden steps attatched to the front door still rang in my ears
The gates parted, giving way for the car to drive in. Ariella was still pressed firmly into the seat when the car parked, sitting still and staring at her palms even after me and Ruth stepped out of the car.
Moving to the other side of the car, my hand closed around the handle of the door, pulling it open. She startled, looking up at me. "Come out, we're here."
She stepped out of the car keeping her head down. A warm hand wrapped around my wrist. She held it firmly, like it was a lifeline for her.
The guards pulled open the ivory front doors as we climbed the few steps to them. Ariella loosened from my side with every guard we approached. The tension never left her body and she didn't release my hand, but at least we were getting somewhere.
As soon as we were in though, the shrill shriek that greeted us though sent Ariella right back to the trembling being she'd been last night.
My head raised to the direction of the voice at the top of the spiral twin stairways that stood in the end of the waiting room, plain otherwise for the exotic paintings that hung from the white walls. My mother raced down, her gaze fixed on Ariella. Towards the bottom of the stairs she nearly slipped, her heels bent on the brown polished tiles, tangling into her silk red maxi dress. She barely managed to catch herself on the golden railings.
"Mother, stop running. You'll hurt yourself." My voice felt tight.
Her grey eyes glistened with unshed tears, ignoring me she approached Ariella. The girl was still pressed into me, peaking slightly at my mother. It would have been cute if it wasn't already so fucking heart breaking.
"Is this...really her?" Her voice shook, fingers trembling as they cupped Ariella's cheek gently. "Ella? It's really you."
"She's still in shock. We're not sure if it's her, but we'll take her to the hospital tomorrow, and make sure." Ruth chirped, eyeing me with her lips pursed.
"Is that even necessary?." My mother finally broke, pulling Ariella into a hug and running her fingers through her hair.
"I'm sorry. Did I do something wrong? I didn't mean to make you cry. Please, I'm sorry." Ariella's eyes were wide, her hand squeezing my wrist slightly.
"Oh, my little girl. What did they do to you?" Mother sniffled, holding her tighter. "It's ok. It's all over now. Let's get you settled."
"Where's dad?" His absence shouldn't have been a surprise to me. To think he would have jumped at the chance to see his possible missing daughter was just wishful.
"Your father had something to handle on short notice. Perhaps I should place a call to him? Let him know of your arrival." Ruth said, already reaching for her phone.
"Have the maids bring her things to the room we prepared. The one opposite mine." My eyes still hadn't left my mother hugging Ariella.
The words she'd said to me before I went to Vegas still rung in my head. 'If there's even the slightest chance that my little girl is alive, is living in some filthy brothel, you bring her back home to me. Bring her back and destroy the people who took her.'
As Ruth walked out giving orders to the maids, my mother finally released Ariella, using her fingers to brush her hair, her eyes raised to mine, smiling shakily. "Thank you. Thank you so much, Killian."
An ache built in my chest. My mother hadn't given me that much recognition since Stella went missing. The one bond we still shared apart from blood had been our obsession with finding Stella. And now there was a chance that it was gone.
My mother led her to the twin stairs, taking the one on the right to the bedrooms. Ruth shuffled back to my side, holding an old green backpack.
"That's all her stuff?" Not exactly shocking at this point.
"Yes sir. We can get her some clothes after we confirm she's truly miss Morozcov."
My eyebrows drew together into a frown. "We'll get her something regardless of the outcome. Give me the bag." Ruth's lips parted as she handed me the bag. The memory of my mother's relieved, overjoyed face echoed in my mind. "I need to go upstairs to check on them. Tomorrow's test...whatever the results are, let's just keep it to us, ok?"
"Sir, with all due respect, what are you asking me to do?" She eyed me warily.
"I'm saying that if she really isn't Stella, that information stays between us, not a soul more. Am I understood, Ruth?"
"I won't say a word to anyone boss." She said, stepping away from me. "Not a soul."