Maria shook as she ran the brush down Susan's hair, her heart tightening with fear.  She could hear footsteps down the hall, and unknowingly tightened her fists, applying more pressure than necessary. Her daughter's cry of pain brought her back to reality.
     "Oh dear, I'm so sorry." She whispered, hugging Susan. "I must have been lost in my thoughts."
     "It's alright mommy, why are you sad?" The child cocked her head, eyes sparkling with childlike innocence. "Is daddy coming back to hurt you?" She asked, brows furrowed in fear.
     "Yes, I'm sorry." She said in a soft voice. "Don't worry, mommy will protect you. I'll keep you safe."
     "How touching." A shadow fell on them, the cold voice coming from the silhouette at the doorway.
     "James." Maria gasped, shielding Susan behind her.
     "I send a letter to your.......man. He'll come running soon. You better do it right." He snarled, tossing her a velvet red dress. "I want the money."
      "O-Of course." She nodded quickly, rubbing the bruise on her wrist that she had received last night.
     "Good." He growled stalking off.
     "Susan, honey, I need you to stay in your room tonight, alright? Mommy has work tonight." Maria, once James had left, placed a hand on Sudan's shoulder, speaking softly. "Don't come out unless I tell you to."
     "Yes mommy."

-•-

    "HOW COULD YOU?" Alexander Hamilton stormed in, fist clenched around a certain letter.
     "No, sir!" Maria cried. She was half dressed, trying to cover up her bruises and cuts from James's most recent beating.
     Alexander scoffed in disgust, throwing the letter to ground and heading to the door. Maria grabbed his hand in a desperate attempt, remembering the vents earlier, sobbing. "Please don't go, sir!"
     Alexander whirled around, recoiling. "Was your whole story a set up?" He growled.
     "I didn't know about the letter." She cried.
     "Stop crying, Goddammit, get up!" He yelled.
     "I didn't know any better!" Tears were dripping down her face, and she was clinging onto his hand.
     Alexander had taken on to pacing, shaking of her trembling hand. "I am ruined—" He bemoaned.
    "Please leave me—" she cried.
     "I am Helpless!" They both cried, and for a moment, the only thing they could hear was defeating silence.
     "How can I do this?" He threw his hands in the air, snarling, fear tainting his voice.
    "Just give him what he wants and you can have me!" She pleaded, a memory of Susan surfacing in her mind, happy and smiling.
     "I don't want you!" He cried. "I don't want you!" He repeated once more, as if trying to convince himself.
     "If you pay, you can stay!" She flung herself into him, crying.
     They both crumpled to the ground, and and Alexander hooked a hand under her chin, lifting her face and stared into her eyes. "How can I say no to this?" He said softly, regretfully. He looked into Maria's tear filled eyes, sighing softly. "Yes."
     Maria smiled, fears, for now, kept at bay. She stood slowly, taking his hand and leading her to the bedroom.
   
-•-

     "So?"
     "Nobody needs to know."
    And Maria watched in the shadows, filled with regret and remorse, but helpless to do anything.