Morning arrived with cold sunlight.
Elara stood in front of the bathroom mirror.
A faint bruise darkened her wrist.
Selene had grabbed her roughly the night before when she tried to leave the kitchen.
It wasn't the first time.
And it wouldn't be the last.
She pulled down her sleeve.
No one at school ever noticed.
Or perhaps they simply chose not to ask.
The Valen name carried too much influence.
At breakfast, Marcus read business reports.
Selene scrolled through her phone.
Neither looked at Elara.
Marcus finally spoke.
"I've arranged an interview for you."
Elara looked up.
"With whom?"
"The Valen corporate training program."
Her stomach tightened.
"You mean… your company?"
Marcus nodded.
"You'll start learning the business."
Selene laughed softly.
"That should be entertaining."
Elara's voice remained calm.
"I already applied to university."
Marcus' expression darkened.
"I rejected it."
Silence filled the room.
Elara felt something inside her chest tighten.
"You what?"
"You heard me."
Marcus folded his newspaper.
"You're not leaving this family."
Selene added sweetly,
"You're not smart enough to survive outside anyway."
For a moment…
Something dangerous flickered in Elara's eyes.
But it disappeared quickly.
She stood.
"I have school."
Marcus didn't look up.
"You'll begin working with us next week."
Elara walked toward the door.
But as she reached the hallway, she heard Selene whisper to Marcus.
"She's becoming troublesome."
Marcus answered coldly.
"I'll handle it."
Elara paused.
A strange feeling crept through her mind.
Her father wasn't just controlling her life.
He was planning something.