Billionaire Lothario

The early sun shone through the gaps in the ancient wooden shutters, struggling to light up the dim attic space. Emma moaned and turned around, dragging the worn-out blanket over her head in a hopeless effort to shield herself from the persistent daylight. All she desired was a few extra minutes of sleep. However, it was not meant to happen.

Young lady! "Stop being a couch potato and get up, there are tasks waiting for you!" Downstairs came the loud and condescending voice of Mrs. Wilson.

Despite being a twenty three years old woman with a full time job at a news network, you might expect her to have the weekend off to relax, but that's not the case in the Wilson household. In the eyes of the rest of her family, she was simply a household helper responsible for maintaining the house in perfect condition.

Emily let out a sigh. Ella stated that she was facing another day of exhausting work ahead, without any breaks in sight.

Reluctantly, she threw the blanket aside and sat up, wincing from her bruised muscles protesting the movement. God, when will this horrifying experience come to an end?

With daylight slowly entering through dirty windows, Emily hastily washed and got dressed, preparing herself for whatever the new day may bring. Below, a tired young couple sat with worn-out expressions at the tiny kitchen table, hardly noticing her cordial hello. Eager to get away from the oppressive atmosphere of her new foster home, she grabbed some stale cereal for herself.

Her foster mother enjoyed finding reasons to punish her, whether they were actual or perceived offenses. A week ago, Ella accidentally burned the toast and as a result, her foster mother punished her by giving her lashes on her back, which were just starting to heal.

After putting on the same worn-out dress she wore yesterday, Emily headed downstairs.

Ella noted to herself that the aroma of sizzling bacon drifting from the kitchen caused her stomach to rumble with hunger.

However, she was aware that it was hopeless to expect anything more than a stale crust of bread for breakfast. Luxuries like those were not intended for unwanted children such as her.

In the kitchen, Mrs. Wilson was cooking eggs and toast as her children sat enjoying their breakfast. Ella's foster brother, John Wilson, glared at Ella as she came in, his cold eyes filled with malicious amusement.

"He sneered through a mouthful of food, acknowledging the person who had finally decided to show up,".

Mrs. Wilson turned towards Ella. "You've been lazy for too long, girl. It's time to get moving!" I need all the laundry in the backyard taken care of before sunset or there will be consequences. And don't try to be lazy, I will be monitoring your progress as well.

She nodded quietly and went to fetch the large wicker basket overflowing with soiled clothes. While carrying it outside, she listened to her foster brother sarcastically shout, "Make sure you don't overexert yourself, we wouldn't want you keeling over from the strain!"

"Where is that dumb girl?", a husky voice called from upstairs, causing fear to cross Ella's face. The only person who was aware was none other than Mr. Wilson, the Man of the house.

"Why hasn't my laundry been done yet? Tomorrow is Monday and, unlike you, we as men in society need to dress professionally."

"I apologize, I will ensure it is prepared by tomorrow," Ella stated, avoiding making eye contact with her foster father.

Ella spent hours scrubbing and beating clothes clean against the washboard in the hot summer sun. By noon, she was in immense pain in her back and her hands were sore and bleeding, yet she continued on.

Around noon, there was a short break when the neighbor's dog Carl came over, wagging his tail hopefully.

She stopped to rub the dog's ears, smiling sadly. Carl, you are my only friend. I desire to escape with you to the countryside and not turn back.

However, it did not happen. As the sun started to go down, Mrs. Wilson stepped outside to check on how well Ella was doing. It's about time you completed it, you lazy girl. Bring the basket in and start supper before relaxing your tired arms.

She pulled the heavy basket inside, feeling weighed down by despair in her heart. For how much longer could she continue to exist in this never-ending horror? While chopping vegetables for the stew, she noticed a glint outside the kitchen window.

Moving nearer, she gazed into the approaching darkness. She briefly believed she glimpsed a red blur among the dark corners of the garden. However, when she blinked and glanced once more, there was nothing present.

Could tiredness be making my brain deceive me? Was there something or someone lurking in the dark shadows observing me? She questioned herself. As the evening was getting more darker, Ella actually felt a shiver run down her back. Without her knowing, the small life she led was on the verge of transforming beyond her own wildest dreams...

Ella finished the laundry as night approached and then began preparing dinner in the kitchen. Mrs. Wilson and her children were in the next dining room, loudly evaluating all of Ella's actions.

Finish cooking the stew quickly.

"Quickly finish preparing that stew, young lady!" A man toils the entire day and expects his dinner to be served promptly. Mrs. Wilson expressed her annoyance abruptly.

I apologize, ma'am, it will only take a few more minutes. Emily responded in a hushed tone while she stirred the pot.

John sneered as he turned to his younger brother Mark in the dining room and bet him five bucks she would burn it again. I can smell something that seems to be on fire already!

She attempted to disregard the teasing and concentrate on her assignment. While getting vegetables from the pantry, she saw a mouse quickly run past her, making her gasp in shock.

This caused the Wilsons to burst into a fresh round of giggles."Unable to deal with a small mouse, so weak!" John mocked. It's not surprising that no one desired a girl who was so worthless.

Her fists tightened at her sides, but she stayed silent, aware that any response would only escalate the situation. She told herself that in just a couple more years, she would finally be able to escape from this place. If she could make it through that period of time.

At last, the stew was cooked. While Ella was scooping food into bowls, Mrs. Wilson came into the kitchen with a stern look in her eye. Show me your arms, young lady.

Her slender arms, sore and pink from the day's work, were stretched out. Mrs. Wilson firmly held one, her thumb pushing into a new blister, making Emily gasp from the pain.

Not firm enough yet. We need to focus on making you stronger. Mrs. Wilson spoke with cruelty before letting go of her arm. "Quickly eat your food before it cools down."

During the tense meal, she followed instructions and kept her head down while enduring the family's taunting. As the night covered the world around her, she imagined about the uncertainties of tomorrow and questioned if she had the strength to face whatever challenges may actually come her way.

Ella got a text from an unknown sender asking, "Do you want to be a billionaire?" Ella was confused and in doubt. She wondered if her brothers were playing a prank on her or if it was just a text mistake. Regardless, she was determined to uncover the truth, feeling a glimmer of hope in her otherwise bleak life.