Chapter 3 – Struggle and hatred

The streets felt colder than they were. Every sound around me...the wind sliding between the cracked buildings, the bark of a stray dog, the hum of a broken streetlamp...made me feel like someone was following me. My steps were quick, but my chest carried a weight that no speed could shake off.

“I should never go back there,” I whispered to myself, pressing my palm against my bag strap as if holding it tighter could hold me together. “Never again.”

But then another voice...louder, sharper...stabbed into me.

You need money, Elara. You need to survive.

I shook my head hard. “I’d rather starve than walk into that monster’s house again.”

But then I saw my father’s face in my mind, pale, bloody, his lips barely moving when he pushed his gift into me. His last words pressed against my skull like a curse.

Avoid them.

I stopped walking, my breath breaking in the cold air. “But...what if taking this job is the only way?” My own voice cracked, and the sound of it made my chest ache.

By the time I pushed open the door to my small apartment, my body felt heavy, as if the shadows of the mansion had followed me all the way home.

The apartment smelled faintly of instant noodles and cheap soap. My shoes scraped against the old floor as I dropped my bag near the corner. I pressed both hands to my face and muttered, “I can’t do this...I can’t work for him. Not after seeing that face on the wall.”

A sharp knock rattled the door. I jumped, my heart punching against my ribs.

“Elara! Open up, it’s me!”

The voice was soft. It's Seraphina.

I pulled the door open, and there she stood...her chestnut hair pulled back into a messy bun, her green eyes bright even in the dull hallway light. She held a paper bag close to her chest.

“You look like death warmed over,” she said, stepping inside without asking. “What happened? Did the interview go that bad?”

I tried to force a smile. “Worse.”

She dropped the bag on my table, the sound of bread and fruits shifting inside. “Tell me everything.”

I sat on the edge of my bed, my fingers gripping the sheets so tightly my knuckles burned. “Seraphina...I saw him.”

“Who?” She leaned against the table, crossing her arms.

“Thorne.” The word cut through me like a blade. “His face. A giant portrait in the mansion.”

Her eyes widened. “Thorne? As in...the Alpha? The one who...”

“Yes,” I snapped before she could finish. My throat tightened. “The one who killed my family.”

The room fell silent. Seraphina’s lips parted, but no sound came out at first. She finally moved closer, lowering her voice. “Elara, are you sure? Maybe it’s just someone who looks like him...”

“It was him,” I hissed. My hands trembled. “I could never forget that face. I see it every night when I close my eyes. He’s the reason my parents...my brother...”

My words drowned in my own breath, and I bit my lip hard enough to taste blood.

Seraphina sat beside me and put her arm around my shoulders. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know the job was in that house. I would have stopped you.”

Her comfort felt warm, but it also stung. “I can’t take this job, Sera. I swore I’d never have anything to do with them.”

“But, Elara...” Her voice softened. “You need this. You told me yourself...you’re behind on tuition. Your landlord’s been banging on your door. You can barely eat.”

“I don’t care.” I stood up, pacing across the room. “I’d rather clean the streets than serve them.”

“Stop lying to yourself.” Her words were firm, sharp like a slap. “You’re not eating well. You’re losing weight. Look at you...your eyes are sinking. You think your father would want you to suffer like this?”

I spun around. “Don’t you dare bring him into this!” My chest rose and fell fast, my throat burning. “He told me to stay away. He begged me. If I go back to that mansion, I’ll be betraying him.”

Seraphina stood too, her eyes narrowing. “And if you waste away here, what then? Will that bring him peace? Or will he be looking down, wishing you had lived instead of letting grief kill you?”

Her words cut deep because a part of me knew she was right. I dropped back onto the bed, burying my face in my hands. “I don’t know what to do. Every time I think of stepping back into that house, I feel like chains are tightening around my chest.”

Seraphina sat again, softer now, placing her hand over mine. “Then don’t think about them. Think about yourself. Think about what this job can give you. Food. Rent. School. A chance at something better.”

“I’ll never forgive them,” I muttered.

“You don’t have to forgive them,” she said, “You just have to survive.”

Her words hung heavy in the air. I wanted to argue, to scream, but the truth pressed against me like a hand I couldn’t push away.

A small smile curved her lips suddenly. “Besides, maybe you’ll get to spit in their food or trip their spoiled Alpha son. A little revenge while you earn money.”

I couldn’t help it...a laugh slipped through my tears. “You’re ridiculous.”

“Ridiculous and right.” She nudged me with her shoulder. “So? Will you go back?”

I didn’t answer. I just stared at the wall where the paint peeled like old skin.

She leaned closer, whispering, “I know you, Elara. You’ll go back. You’re too stubborn to give up on life, no matter how much you want to act like you will.”

I wanted to deny it, but my silence was louder than words.

Seraphina changed the subject, opening the paper bag. “I brought bread and apples. You’ll eat, or I’ll stuff it down your throat.”

“You’re bossy,” I muttered.

“I learned from you.” She grinned, pushing an apple into my hand.

For a few minutes, we ate in silence. The bread was stale, but it felt like a feast.

Then came another knock on the door.

We froze.

Seraphina whispered, “Are you expecting someone?”

“No.” My stomach twisted.

The knock came again...heavier this time.

I stood slowly and moved to the door, my hand shaking as I reached for the handle. I pulled it open a little.

A tall man in a black suit stood in the hallway, his face blank as stone. His eyes glowed faintly in the dim light.

“Elara,” he said, his voice deep and cold. “You’re needed at the mansion. Tonight.”

The door creaked wider in my hand. My throat closed. “What?”

“Edward requests your service immediately.”

Behind me, Seraphina grabbed my arm. “Elara, don’t!”

But the man’s gaze locked on me, sharp as a blade. “Be ready in fifteen minutes. You can’t refuse”

He turned and walked down the hallway.

I closed the door, my breath ragged. “Elara,” Seraphina whispered, her eyes wide. “What are you going to do?”

My knees weakened, but I forced myself to stand tall, even as my heart screamed. “I don’t know...but I think the chains are already pulling me back.”