"I can't believe they canceled at the last minute!" Bella groaned dramatically, throwing herself onto the plush cream sofa as if the world had just ended.
Her long, perfectly styled hair fanned out behind her, and she kicked off her heels carelessly, clearly frustrated.
"It's okay, sweetheart," Cynthia said gently, her voice smooth and comforting as always. "I'm sure you'll still meet them. This is a small world."
"Your mom is right," their father added, adjusting his cufflinks with a calm, confident smile. "You'll meet the JALD boys soon enough. Especially with a father like me."
Anna clapped her hands excitedly. "Exactly! We just need the right opportunity."
Bella sat up instantly, her mood already lifting. "Really, Daddy? You'd do that for me?"
He chuckled. "Anything for my daughters."
"Thanks, Mom and Dad! You two are the best!" Anna chimed in, leaning closer to her sister.
"Of course we are," Cynthia said with a proud smile. "Our girls deserve the world."
"Mom, we're not little girls anymore," Anna teased. "We're turning twenty next week, remember?"
Cynthia laughed softly. "Oh, I could never forget that day. My sweet munchkins are growing too fast."
They all laughed together.
A perfect family.
Or at least… that's how it looked.
---
Across the room, sitting quietly on the cold marble floor, was Lina.
Unnoticed.
Unwanted.
Invisible.
Her hands rested on her lap, still sore from earlier chores. Her body ached, but she didn't dare move unless she was told to. Years of living like this had trained her well.
She wasn't allowed to sit at the table.
Wasn't allowed to speak unless spoken to.
Wasn't allowed to exist beyond the role they had forced onto her.
A maid.
In her own home.
Her eyes drifted toward the dining table, where plates of food were neatly arranged. The aroma filled the room, rich and inviting—but not for her.
It never was.
A faint memory flickered in her mind.
Her mother's laughter.
The warmth of shared meals.
The way they used to sit together, talking about their day, smiling, living…
A family.
Her chest tightened painfully.
That life felt like it belonged to someone else now.
Someone she used to be.
---
"Hey! Are you deaf?" Bella's sharp voice cut through her thoughts.
Lina quickly stood up. "No…"
"Then why are you just sitting there? Clean up."
"Yes," Lina replied softly.
She moved quickly, clearing the table the moment they were done eating. Plates clinked softly as she stacked them, careful not to make noise.
Every movement had to be perfect.
Every step calculated.
Because mistakes came with consequences.
After cleaning the table, she moved to the kitchen, washing dishes one by one. The warm water stung the small cuts on her fingers, but she ignored it.
Pain was normal.
Pain was familiar.
Pain was… home.
When everything was done, she wiped the counters, swept the floor, and made sure everything looked spotless.
Only then did she allow herself to breathe.
---
"I need this homework done in less than thirty minutes," Bella said suddenly, tossing a book at Lina without even looking at her. "And make sure everything is correct… or you'll regret it."
Lina caught the book quickly. "Okay."
She walked quietly to her small room and sat on the edge of the bed, opening the book.
Math.
A small spark lit inside her.
She was good at this.
Really good.
For a moment… just a moment… she felt like herself again.
She picked up a pen and began solving the problems carefully, her mind focusing, her heart calming.
In less than twenty minutes, she was done.
Perfect.
She returned the book without a word.
---
Later that night, Lina stood under the shower, letting the hot water run over her body.
It burned slightly—but it also soothed.
She gently applied ointment to her bruises, her expression blank as she stared at her reflection.
She barely recognized the girl staring back at her.
The spark in her eyes was gone.
Replaced by emptiness.
When she was done, she lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling.
Sleep didn't come.
It never did.
Her mind was too loud.
Her heart too heavy.
After what felt like hours of tossing and turning, she slowly sat up.
Then quietly… she got off the bed.
---
She knelt down.
"Dear God…" her voice was barely a whisper.
She paused.
Swallowed.
Tried again.
"If you're still there… if you haven't forgotten about me… please listen."
Tears filled her eyes.
"I don't think I can do this anymore."
Her hands trembled slightly.
"I miss my mother… I miss my life… I miss being happy."
Silence answered her.
"If this isn't where I'm meant to be… then show me a way out."
Her voice cracked.
"But if I'm not meant to live anymore… then tonight… please… take me to her."
A tear slipped down her cheek.
"I'm tired."
---
She stood up slowly and moved toward the window.
Carefully, she opened it and climbed out.
The night air hit her face instantly—cool, freeing.
For the first time all day…
She could breathe.
---
"Where are you going at this hour, miss?"
Lina froze.
She turned—and there he was.
Simon.
He stood near the gate, arms crossed, watching her with concern.
"I just needed some fresh air," she said quietly. "I couldn't sleep."
"Then let me come with you."
She shook her head. "You're not my bodyguard anymore."
"I still care," he said firmly. "I always will."
She looked away.
"You shouldn't."
"I should," he insisted. "Because I remember who you are."
Her heart tightened.
"You're strong, Lina. You always have been."
She blinked, trying to hold back tears.
"I miss that girl," he continued. "The one who smiled… who wasn't afraid of anything."
She let out a shaky breath.
"That girl is gone."
"No," he said firmly. "She's still there. You just buried her under all this pain."
Silence stretched between them.
"I want to leave," she finally said.
"Then I'll help you."
She looked at him, surprised.
"I mean it," he said. "Whatever you need."
Her voice softened. "I need money… enough to start over somewhere far from here."
"I'll get it," he said without hesitation. "Give me a month."
Her eyes widened slightly.
"Thank you, Simon."
---
She walked past the gate, stepping into the quiet streets of Jump City.
The wind brushed through her hair, calming her.
For a moment… everything felt still.
Peaceful.
Until—
A car stopped in front of her.
Her heart skipped.
The door opened.
"Why is a girl like you out here alone at this hour?"
.
.
.
"Why is a girl like you out here alone at this hour?"
The voice was calm… but firm.
Lina turned slowly—and her breath caught in her throat.
It was him.
Dave Carter.
Up close, he looked even more unreal. Taller than she expected. His presence carried something heavy—confidence, power… and something softer she couldn't quite name.
"What I'm doing out here doesn't concern you, mister," she said, forcing her voice to stay steady as she folded her arms.
Dave raised a brow, clearly amused.
"That attitude won't keep you safe."
She let out a dry laugh. "Who said I'm looking for safety?"
That caught his attention.
He stepped a little closer, studying her face carefully.
"You look familiar."
Lina stiffened for a split second—but recovered quickly.
"Do I?" she said flatly. "That's strange. We just met."
His gaze lingered.
"Blue hair… golden eyes… I've definitely seen you before."
"They're not gold," she snapped. "They're yellow. And no—we haven't met."
A lie.
A necessary one.
Because if he remembered…
Everything would get complicated.
Dave tilted his head slightly, unconvinced—but he let it go.
"Still," he said, his tone softer now, "it's not safe to be out here alone. Especially at night."
She looked at him, then laughed quietly—almost bitterly.
"You keep talking about safety like it actually exists."
His brows furrowed. "What is that supposed to mean?"
"It means," she said, stepping closer now, her eyes locking with his, "I'm not out here trying to avoid danger."
A pause.
"I'm looking for it."
Silence.
The air between them shifted.
"What?" Dave asked, his voice lower now.
"I'm looking for a killer," she said calmly. "Someone who won't hesitate."
His expression darkened instantly.
"You can't be serious."
"Why not?" she shot back. "People die every day. Some of them even beg for it."
"Lina—"
She froze.
Her eyes widened slightly.
"How do you know my name?" she asked, her voice suddenly sharp.
Dave blinked, just as surprised.
"I… didn't realize I said it out loud."
A lie.
But neither of them pushed it.
She narrowed her eyes, but let it go.
"Forget it," she muttered.
Dave ran a hand through his hair, clearly frustrated now.
"You're talking about ending your life like it's nothing."
"And you're talking like you understand it," she snapped.
"I'm trying to help you."
"Help?" she laughed bitterly. "What do you know about my life?"
His jaw tightened.
"You don't just throw your life away."
"And what life is that?" her voice cracked, but she didn't stop. "The one where I wake up every day wishing I didn't? The one where everything I ever loved was taken from me?"
Her breathing became uneven.
"You know nothing," she whispered. "Nothing about watching someone you love die in your arms… nothing about losing everything and still being forced to live."
Tears blurred her vision.
She didn't even try to stop them.
"For two years," she continued, her voice shaking, "I've been waiting… hoping… praying for justice."
She laughed weakly.
"But nothing happens."
Dave didn't speak.
He just watched her.
Listened.
"People like you," she said, her voice softer now, "you live in a world where things work out… where justice exists."
She shook her head.
"In my world… it doesn't."
A tear slipped down her cheek.
"I'm tired," she whispered.
That was it.
That was the moment something inside Dave shifted.
Without thinking—
He stepped forward.
And pulled her into his arms.
---
Lina froze.
Her body went stiff at first, unfamiliar with the warmth… the closeness.
But then—
She broke.
A soft sob escaped her lips as her hands slowly gripped his shirt.
Tighter.
Like she was afraid he might disappear.
For the first time in so long…
She felt safe.
Not completely.
Not forever.
But in that moment—
It was enough.
Dave didn't say anything.
He just held her.
Firm.
Protective.
Like he understood that words weren't enough.
Minutes passed.
Or maybe seconds.
Time didn't matter.
---
When Lina finally pulled away, her eyes were red, her cheeks damp—but something had changed.
The heaviness in her chest felt… lighter.
"I'm sorry," Dave said quietly. "I didn't mean to push you like that."
She shook her head.
"It's fine."
Her voice was softer now.
Less guarded.
Before either of them could say anything else—
"Lina!"
Simon's voice cut through the moment.
They both turned.
Dave's arms dropped slowly.
"Do you know him?" he asked.
Lina hesitated for a second.
"Yeah… he's my uhh more like a brother."
Dave nodded slowly, though something in his expression said he didn't fully believe it.
"Can I talk to him?" Dave asked.
Simon stepped closer. "Sure."
Lina looked between them.
"I should go back," she said quietly.
Simon nodded. "Yeah… go before they notice you're gone. I'll be there soon."
She hesitated.
Then turned.
And walked away.
---
As the wind brushed against her face, Lina placed a hand over her chest.
Her heart was still beating fast.
But not from fear.
Something else.
Something new.
Something unfamiliar.
---
When Simon finally caught up to her, he smirked.
"You're blushing."
"I am not," she said quickly.
"You are."
"I'm just smiling like an idiot," she muttered.
Simon chuckled. "So… what exactly did I interrupt?"
"Nothing," she said too quickly.
"Really?" he raised a brow.
She avoided his gaze.
"It was just… a hug."
"And you were crying on his shoulder," he teased.
She rolled her eyes—but couldn't stop the small smile forming on her lips.
"Did you really have to interrupt?" she muttered.
Simon laughed.
And for the first time in a long time—
Lina didn't feel completely broken.