I pulled my hand back, feigning indifference. "You can't make money without getting a few scrapes."
Hudson frowned. A flicker of unease crossed his face, but he didn't press the issue. He merely offered a dry, perfunctory warning. "Take care of yourself."
Then, without a second glance, he got into his car and drove away.
My phone buzzed. A text from Eliana flashed on the screen.
Following the coordinates she provided, I arrived at the Riverside Mansion.
The entrance was swarming with luxury cars. It wasn't just family; the guest list included the city's most prominent heiresses and Eliana's close circle of friends. They were all here to celebrate the return of the "real" daughter.
Before I could announce myself, a staff member grabbed my arm, mistaking me for a temp worker. I was shoved into a changing room, forced into a server's uniform, and pushed into the main hall.
I watched from the shadows as my parents presented Eliana with jewelry worth tens of millions. They beamed at her with a warmth I had never known.
Then came Hudson. He handed over the deed to a branch company, giving Eliana immense prestige in front of the guests. Then, the final blow. He placed my bank card into her palm.
"Harper saved this for three years," Hudson said casually. "Take it. Have some fun."
A bitter, silent laugh shook my chest.
Three years. Three years of selling my body, my dignity, my soul to pay for his "treatment." And now, he'd handed my blood money to the person I hated most in this world.
Almost funny.
I turned to flee, but a wall of bodies blocked my path. Them—the men who had spent years using me.
Lucas stood at the front, a cruel smirk playing on his lips. "Eliana was right," he sneered. "You really came here to snitch."
"You slut," another hissed. "Did you actually think you could ruin our relationship with Hudson?"
My phone vibrated again.
Eliana: Service Big Brother's buddies nicely. Don't thank me too much.
"Harper," Lucas drawled, stepping closer. "It's been a while since you entertained us. Today is a celebration. Come have some fun."
Adrenaline spiked. I grabbed a heavy porcelain vase and hurled it at them. The crash created a momentary gap, and I bolted toward the crowd.
If I make a scene, someone will see. If it gets big enough, I can escape.
I was inches from safety when Lucas tackled me. My face slammed into the marble floor, the impact jarring my teeth.
Hudson noticed the commotion and strode over, frowning at his flustered friends. "What are you doing? Bullying a waiter?"
I opened my mouth to scream, but Lucas's hand clamped over my lips.
"This waiter tried to seduce me," Lucas lied smoothly, pinning me down. "Honeytrap extortion. I'm just about to teach him a lesson."
Muffled cries trapped in my throat, I used the last of my strength to claw at Hudson's trouser leg.
He raised his foot to kick me away, but paused. His eyes landed on my hand. The hideous, jagged scars were fully exposed.
"Her hand..." Hudson murmured, frowning.
Lucas laughed. "Laborers like this always have injuries. Normal, isn't it?"
"True." Hudson's suspicion vanished. He looked at Lucas with a sigh. "Stop messing around with lowlifes. I was going to introduce you to Harper, but... she's too dirty. I won't let her near you."
Lucas smiled, saying nothing.
Hearing Eliana's voice calling, Hudson turned and walked away.
My heart shattered. Lucas shoved a rag into my mouth, dragging me toward the stairs.
Then, a familiar voice.
"What is going on here?"
Edward. My father.
A tiny spark of hope ignited. Dad. Save me.
But the next second, he pushed me into hell. He glanced at the scene with cold indifference.
"Just don't kill anyone."
I was thrown into the guest room. The men circled me, demanding obedience just like before.
I lay there, still and silent. A wooden puppet with a severed soul.
Blows landed. Insults rained down. I endured it all without a sound.
"Boring," one spat. "She's like a corpse."
"Just take the photos and be done with it. She's ruined anyway."
I let them arrange my limbs like a doll. As the camera flashes blinded me, my mind drifted away.
I saw a little girl in tattered clothes, shrinking into the corner of a cold room. That was the day I learned I wasn't their real daughter. The day I first learned to hide in the dark and lie to myself that it would get better.
Just hold on a little longer, I used to tell myself. When you find your real mom and dad, everything will be fine.
Mom and Dad will love you. They'll make up for everything.
I shook my head, trying to banish those childish echoes.
They don't love you.
Right now, even I was disgusted by my own existence.
The men had finished with me. They locked the door from outside, leaving me in silence.
My trembling fingers found my phone. I opened the messaging app, found Hudson's contact, and typed one final message.
[Hudson, if there's a next life, don't come looking for me.]
If you don't look for me, you can't give me hope. And without that cruel, false hope, maybe I won't have to live such a miserable existence again.
I drifted to the balcony. The setting sun painted the sky in blood and fire. I reached out, yearning to touch that dying light—one last bit of warmth before the end.
I leaned forward. Gravity accepted.
The world tilted, spinning. The city's noise faded into rushing wind.
