Chapter 4- You Belong To Someone Else
AVA~~
"But I wasn't the one that broke the plate!" I cried out, my voice shaking. My heart was beating so fast, I thought it might explode inside my chest.
She just laughed—cold and cruel.
"And who's going to know that? Huh?" Her voice was sharp and filled with mockery.
"Who's going to believe you?"
I froze.
"Everybody already knows how disgusting you are. How disgusting you look. All I need to do is open my mouth and they'll believe anything I say. I could say you killed someone and they would agree with me. No one would question it. Not when it's coming from me and not from a dirty little omega like you."
I felt my knees weaken, but I forced myself to stay standing.
She stepped forward and spat near my feet.
"Now get your bottom out of this place and don't you ever come back. You've already been paid. The money went to your uncle or whoever that greedy pig was."
I couldn't breathe. I couldn't think straight. I just knew one thing—if I went home empty-handed, I was done for.
"But… my uncle…" I whispered, my voice cracking.
I looked at her, my hands shaking. "He's going to kill me if I go home without the money."
She shrugged with a wicked smile.
"Good."
She actually smiled.
"That saves me the stress. Let him kill you. He'll be doing me a big favor. I've wanted to get rid of you since the second I saw your face."
My mouth fell open. My chest felt like it was being crushed.
So after everything—after she hit me with the plate, after I bled, after I cleaned up every drop and finished every dish with a bleeding hand… this was how I was thanked?
This was how I was treated?
"Please…" I said, dropping to my knees.
I didn't care how pathetic I looked. I just wanted to survive the night.
"Even if it's just half of the payment. Please. I'm begging you. If I go home like this… I might not survive. Please don't let me leave with nothing. Please."
She looked at me with eyes that held no soul. No heart.
"I'll say it one more time," she said coldly.
"I do not care."
That was it.
Tears rushed down my face again, hot and fast. I could barely breathe. My whole body was shaking.
Why wouldn't it stop?
Why wouldn't the pain end?
"Please… Moon Goddess… please…" I whispered as I cried and choked between the sobs.
"What did I ever do to deserve this?"
I looked up at her one last time.
She didn't even blink.
"Leave this place this very instant," she spat.
"You disgust me. You shouldn't even be allowed inside this kitchen. Other maids are waiting to take your position. Get out of my sight."
I couldn't move for a second. My body was frozen from fear and pain. But I forced myself to stand, wiping my tears with the back of my dirty hand.
I picked up my torn, ragged bag—my only possession—and turned around to leave.
But I couldn't help it. I had to say it.
"I hope you go to hell… and burn to ashes," I whispered as I limped out of the kitchen.
She didn't even flinch.
I left through the back door, the same way I came in.
I was limping. My leg throbbed with every step, and my hands still stung like they were on fire.
But I had no choice.
I had no money for a ride.
So I walked.
Just like I walked there this morning.
Except now… I was even more broken than before.
People whispered as I passed.
Some didn't bother whispering.
"Disgusting thing."
"That's the beast child."
"I heard she killed her parents."
"She should be locked up, not walking around with normal wolves."
"Look at her face. Like a curse walked out of a nightmare."
I heard every word.
I was used to it.
I was used to all of it.
———-
The sun was scorching hot.
After walking for what felt like eternity—on bleeding feet and with a body barely holding itself together—I finally reached the house. Home didn't even feel like the right word. Home is supposed to be safe. This place was anything but.
The moment I got to the door, my heart started racing. My hands were shaking. I already knew what was waiting inside, and it wasn't kindness.
I stood there, breathing hard, whispering under my breath.
"Moon Goddess… I know you've never helped me, not even once. But please… just this once. I'm not asking for a miracle—just give me a little mercy tonight. Please."
I wiped my tears and opened the door slowly, praying he wouldn't be in the mood to talk or look at me.
No such luck.
There he was.
Sitting on the old wooden chair, flipping through a newspaper like he didn't have a single care in the world. A half-empty bottle of something strong—probably cheap whiskey or some nasty spirit—sat on the table in front of him. His shirt was open, and he stank of sweat and alcohol, like always.
I moved slowly, tiptoeing, holding my breath as I got close to the passage leading to my room. I was just inches from safety when I heard it.
"And where do you think you're going?"
No. No. No.
I froze. My heart dropped. I didn't even want to turn around.
I took a deep breath and slowly faced him.
"I… I was just going inside to freshen up," I stammered, forcing a smile that didn't reach my eyes.
He raised his brow, standing up with a lazy grin.
"And why didn't you come to me first, huh?" His voice slurred, thick with alcohol.
"Isn't it rude to walk past your papa like that?"
"I… I didn't want to disturb you," I said, my voice trembling.
"I thought you were busy reading."
He stood up and started walking toward me, slow and steady. I backed away until my back hit the wall.
My heart pounded like it was going to explode.
Please don't touch me. Please not today. Please.
He reached me and brushed my hair behind my ear. Then he rubbed his hand down the side of my face.
I closed my eyes and tried not to shiver. My breath was broken. My body frozen.
"My little princess," he whispered, his breath hot and sour. "Now… where's the money? The payment. Give it to Papa."
My heart stopped.
Then his voice changed—deeper, hungrier.
"Answer me, princess… where's the money you were paid? Give it to papa."
Everything inside me shattered.
What do I say? How do I tell him there's no money?
My heart stopped. My lips went dry. I opened my eyes slowly, and I knew he could already sense it.
"I… I wasn't paid," I whispered.
"What was that?" he asked, smiling wide. But there was nothing nice in that smile.
"I… can't… hear… you… properly."
"I said I wasn't pa—"
Before I could finish, his hand grabbed my hair, yanked my head, and slammed my face hard into the wall.
CRACK.
My nose broke instantly. Blood spilled everywhere. My vision blurred. I gasped in pain.
"What did you say happened to my money?" he growled.
Pain exploded in my face. My nose felt like it shattered into pieces. Warm blood gushed out immediately.
"What did you say happened to my money?" he growled.
I was dizzy. My lips were bleeding. My head was spinning.
I dropped to the floor, trembling.
"Please… I'm so sorry… I tried… I did everything she asked. But she still refused to pay me… Please don't hurt me—"
But did I really think that begging would save me?
No.
His foot met my side. Then again. And again.
Then his fist.
He didn't stop. For five whole minutes, he beat me like I wasn't even human. Just a rag doll on the floor.
I couldn't scream anymore. I was choking on blood. My body couldn't move.
"Please…" I whispered, barely able to form the word. "I'll go back tomorrow. I'll work harder. I'll get the money. Just please stop…"
Then, suddenly, he did.
He straightened, breathing heavy, and looked down at me.
Then he smiled.
That devilish smile.
"You don't need to worry about working for me anymore," he said slowly, wiping the sweat from his face.
"You'll be working for your new master."
My heart stopped again.
"What…?" I croaked, not believing what I was hearing.
He leaned in close, crouching beside me.
"I've sold you off. You're leaving tonight. Start packing your disgusting little clothes. You belong to someone else now."