Tears streamed down from my eyes to my cheeks. I stared at Trevor. His eyes resembled the darkness between white shadows.

My stomach started twisting inside. My hand throbbed where the glass had cut me. I did not know if I was going to lose my hand today, but the disgust in his eyes stabbed my heart.

“Kevin knew Trevor was coming—that’s why he told her to do it.”

“How stupid can she be?”

“Maybe she fell on purpose. Trying to get his attention.”

Laughter rippled through the hall. Their words stung sharper than glass.

"What a bitch! First she bumped into Kevin, and now she wanted to catch Trevor's attention."

The whole hall was whispering about me. I felt like dying in embarrassment. I did not want to get the Kingston brothers' attention. I was only trying to leave silently.

Trevor's leg remained pressed against my hand, as if he was unwilling to move it until he received an answer to his question.

What would I reply to him? Who was I? An ordinary girl who was admitted here with a scholarship, or would I tell him that I was a helpless girl who kept surviving in pain?

The coldness in his eyes frosts my heart. As if something in his gaze kept me staring at him, I did not dare to move my lips.

Someone spoke behind me loudly as the sounds of clicking heels rushed toward me.

“She’s with me.”

Julia’s voice sliced through the whispers like light through fog. I turned my head and saw her standing tall beside Trevor, her chin lifted despite the tension in the air.

"Please let her go. Don't listen to others. She did not have that kind of intention."

Trevor did not look at Julia. I could still feel his gaze on me, unmoved.

“Bro, what's wrong?”

Kevin's voice approached from behind. I turned my head to face him. He looked at his brother and said,

“I was the one who told her to give the bottle.”

Trevor scoffed at him, slowly removing his boot from my hand. It caused me to gasp in pain.

“You are really in the mood to play with me today,” Trevor said to Kevin.

Trevor walked past me, pressing on the broken bottles and crushing them with his shoes. Julia froze, as she could not let out anything before the two brothers.

Kevin moved toward me and got on one knee.

“Just one simple task, and you messed it up,” he said, his smirk returning. “Guess I’ll take that as a debt you owe me, sweetheart.”

Then, leaning close enough that his breath brushed my cheek: “Next time, try not to bring your cheap scent to our parties.”

I bit my lower lip, trying not to let out a cry. Julia cleared her throat. “Please don't bully her. Let her go.”

Kevin raised an eyebrow, turning his head to Julia. “Who is bullying her? She doesn't have the quality to make herself our target.”

Kevin gave my hand a look, got to his feet, and sneered, then went back to Trevor, who was now enjoying the party around girls.

I was sad. His words hurt me.

When Julia noticed me getting up, she helped me.

"Elara, Your hand!" Julia said with a worried tone.

I glanced at my hand and found blood flowing out of my palm and fingers.

"Let's go to the infirmary," Julia said, wrapping my hand around her shoulder.

I limped out of the hall. I needed to check on my legs too. My whole body was burning in pain.

With Julia's help, I reached the infirmary. 

The nurse gasped when she saw my hand. “Lie down,” she said quickly.

The bandage wrapped around my palm like a quiet judgment. “You’re lucky,” the doctor said. “No broken bones. But you can’t use your hand for at least a week.”

My world went silent. A week? My audition was tomorrow.

My eyes widened. I shook my head. "No, no. I have to go there. I can't lose this chance."

Julia, who was sitting in a corner, dashed toward me and hugged me. "Elara, calm down."

I held her hand and cried. "What will I do now, Julia? My piano audition..."

The fear and pain were killing me inside. Those men would come to my house again next week. If I did not pay them, they would sell me.

"You still have an option, Elara. Just call Aunt Mary. She is your mom. She will do something."

My mom, Mary Stones, was a beautiful woman who had already moved in a world of wealth and privilege, a world that I both envied and resented.

She had a knack for attracting powerful men, men who showered her with gifts and adoration. I was totally opposite. I only believed in love.

​My mom was like a rare flower, always in bloom, always drawing attention.

She always dated wealthy men. Beneath the charm and elegance, I saw a cold calculation.

“No.”

I shook my head in refusal. I refused to call my mom. The last time we met, she told me that she did not have anything to do with dad and me.

I wiped away my tears and exhaled deeply. I remembered the job I had been offered a few days ago. It was from a night club near our university. They needed a young waitress. I came to the conclusion that I would have to join the job.

I left the infirmary and went back home after taking a sick leave from the coffee shop where I worked part-time.

When I entered my house, it was messier than before.

Something hit my mind. I dashed over to my room, forgetting the pain in my leg. I saw my cupboard was broken. With a slow step, I approached it. My hands shook when I found the money in my bag was gone.

I got the money yesterday from my part-time job. I thought about buying groceries for the month, but my father had taken them away. Now how would we live for the whole month?

I closed my eyes, letting the tears fall.

“Moon Goddess,” I whispered, “how long will you test me? My mother left me. My father wants to sell me. When will someone love me?”

Trevor’s face flickered behind my eyelids. My chest tightened.

“But he’s too cold,” I murmured. “He’ll never see me.”

My phone buzzed on the table. I almost didn’t look—until I saw the name.

Mom.

I bit my lip and answered. “M-Mom.”

“Elara, my dear,” she said in her soft, perfect voice.

The sob broke free before I could stop it.

“Are you crying?” she asked gently.

“I’m fine, Mom. How are you?”

A pause. Then, bright and smooth as glass:

“I’m getting married tomorrow. You need to come. I want you to meet your new father… and your brothers.”

The sky was cloudy. Thunder grumbled above, low and distant. The storm hadn't started yet, but I could feel it coming - the same way you sense danger before it strikes.

Sitting in a taxi, I stared at the sky while leaning on the backseat. My inner condition was like the weather.

Today was my mom's wedding day. I was going to attend the celebration. I wondered who she had chosen for herself. But I really wanted her to be happy in her life.

The taxi came to a halt outside the most expensive hotel in our pack.

I paid the driver and stepped out. The hotel towered above me - glass and gold, a world I'd only seen in dreams. Mom was marrying into it.

I walked into the hotel. I was mesmerized by the interior.

I approached the reception area and showed the invitation card to the receptionist.

She called a waiter and told him to lead me to the venue.

When the waiter brought me in front of a large door, he said,

"You are so lucky to attend the Alpha's wedding."

I was stunned. "What?"

He gave me a look. "You didn't know?"

I was confused. Did I come to the wrong wedding? Or was my mom going to marry an Alpha in rank? By how he had arranged the wedding in the expensive hotel, he was surely a rich businessman.

Two men outside the hall opened the door for me.

My eyes were blurred by how beautifully the hall was decorated.

I stepped into the hall and was surprised at how many people were there.

'Didn't Mom say it would be a private wedding? Why are there so many people?' I thought while looking for my mother.

I felt a bit small. People were everywhere, dressed in nice clothes. Meanwhile, I was in a not-so-expensive dress.

People gave me judging looks as I looked around. I felt uncomfortable.

"Elara!"

I heard my mother's voice, which made me feel relieved. I turned around, and my gaze fell on her.

She was approaching me in a white bridal gown.

"Mom, you look gorgeous!" I mumbled with a smile.

She rushed to give me a tight hug. "I am glad you are here."

I grinned at her. She broke the hug and turned her head to someone.

"Meet him, Elara," Mom said brightly. "This is Alpha Gray."

I froze. "Alpha... Gray?"

Her smile widened. "Alpha Gray Kingston."

The name hit me like cold water. Kingston.

My chest tightened as I turned - and there he was, the man who ruled our pack, tall and commanding, his gaze weighing me like judgment.

'My mom is going to marry Alpha Gray?' I was still in disbelief.

There was something that pinched my heart, which I tried to avoid.

Alpha Gray gently stroked my hair and said, "Rise, my dear."

I straightened up and looked at him. He was a tall, muscular, and well-built man. He had been running our pack for a long time, and the pack members were really pleased with him.

It was time for the wedding, so they directly headed to the stage to take vows and complete their wedding simply.

I stared at them, unmoved. 'That means Trevor and Kevin are going to be my stepbrothers?' I thought.

My eyes widened at the thought. I glanced at my bandaged hand.

I felt tears blur my eyes. How could I accept Trevor as my brother?

I used to like him, but after he hurt me that day, my heart broke, and I don't want to see him anymore.

I tried to control my heart and show my mom that I was happy for her new beginning.

The wedding was nice. Lots of smiles and happy faces. I discovered that the wedding was indeed private, with only the officials' family members as guests.

When the wedding ended, I saw my mom looked worried and Alpha Gray looked mad. I wondered what had happened.

I followed them into a room in the corner of the hall and stopped outside the door. The door was slightly ajar.

I could hear Alpha Gray's angry growls.

"I can't believe they didn't come! How dare they!"

My mom's soft voice was convincing. "Honey, please. Maybe they are still angry? Please forgive them. They are your sons."

"Did you see the bill I got? They intentionally wasted my money on the whole university. Did they think they could make me suffer like that?"

My brows shot up when I realized that they were talking about Trevor and Kevin. They had not shown up at the wedding. I recalled yesterday's party on campus. So they were angry because of this wedding?

Somehow, I felt relaxed that they had not come. At least, I did not have to face them again.

'I think I should leave now,' I thought.

As I was about to move, my body hit a flower vase. It fell on the floor, making a loud noise. My mom and Alpha Gray came out of the room and caught me outside.

"I-I am sorry. I came here to tell you that I am leaving," I told them with an apologetic tone.

Alpha Gray frowned at me. "Leaving? Are you not going to attend the family dinner?"

I shook my hands in denial. "Another day, Alpha."

I bowed to him again. My mom nodded her head and said, "I am seeing you off then."

On the way to the gate of the hall, she asked me how I was passing my life.

"I am having a good life, Mom. Don't worry." I lied to her.

She smiled and was about to tell the guards to open the door for me.

But before she could speak, the hall doors burst open, wind curling through the chandeliers.

Two tall figures filled the doorway - rain glistening on their jackets, eyes sharp and unreadable.

The chatter in the hall faltered. Even the music seemed to hush.

I knew those silhouettes before my heart had time to prepare.

My breath caught, every nerve in my body remembering their voices, their cruelty.

"Trevor! Kevin, you're finally here!" my mother exclaimed, joy breaking the silence.

Their gazes slid from her to me. The storm had arrived.

My mom moved closer to stand between them and me. She held my hand and said to them,

"This is Elara, your stepsister."

As soon as they heard my mom, their smiles faded - like light dying behind glass.

Kevin's jaw tightened first; Trevor's eyes went cold and unreadable.

No one said a word.

But I knew.

They remembered me.

"Stepsister?"

 The voice came out from Kevin with a low growl. He moved his gaze at my mother and glared at her.

 I gulped, lowering my head. I knew it might be hard for them to accept someone new in their family.

 However, I never wanted to be a part of their family either.

 My mother let out a small chuckle. "Yes, dear. She is my daughter. Since I am now married to your father, she is now considered to be your sister. You should be happy that our family is growing."

 As if my mother had prepared a speech to say those things, she let out a long breath after she finished speaking.

 I was about to tell my mother not to explain anything since I was not going to stay with them.

 But Trevor shoved my thoughts to speak as he said,

 "Growing? So this is what Dad's money bought? His new wife's cast-off?"

 His voice was quieter than his brother's. But it was colder, slicing through the air like a blade.

 My heartbeat started to beat faster. I slowly raised my head to look at him.

 I saw him staring at me. His eyes were scanning me with a dispassionate, almost cruel look.

 I felt my face flush, heat creeping from my neck to my cheeks. I could no longer keep eye contact with him.

 Because I saw the disgust in his eyes again, just like I did yesterday.

 'Did he hate me?' I wondered.

 My mother let go of my hand and said to Trevor,

 "Your father is a kind man. When he married me, I told him that our family-"

 Trevor scoffed at her, cutting her off. "Finally you successfully seduced our dad."

 I was shocked by his every word. Kevin was silent, looking mad at my mother. I was upset that they were speaking to my mother like that.

 Marriage was not a one-person thing. Their father equally agreed to it.

 I was surprised that my mother did not lose her calm. In fact, she looked nervous.

 "Let's discuss it later. I am going to call your Dad," she said while glancing at the guests to see if they were looking in our direction.

 My mother hurriedly walked away as if she had found an escape from them.

 I was alone with the brothers near the door. They did not speak, nor did I. My eyes were fixed on the floor.

 The silence was suffocating me. The rain might have stopped outside. The only thing I could hear was my loud heartbeat. I was afraid that they would hear that.

 Suddenly I noticed the red shoes approaching me. I lifted my head and saw Kevin smirking at me.

 I took a few steps back. But he grabbed the back of my neck, freezing me in shock.

 His grip was harsh, and my heart was flabbergasted.

 He lowered his head to look into my eyes. His smirk was still on his lips.

 "Aren't you the same girl who bumped into me yesterday?"

 I swallowed my breath. I could not let out anything.

 His smirk slowly faded as he spoke again. "Your punishment is still on hold. Don't you think you can get away so easily?"

 "I said sorry for that," I replied after gathering my courage.

 His smirk faded as he frowned at me. "You have the guts to speak? Did you think you could make your way into our family just because your mom seduced my dad and married him?"

 Tears scrambled my eyes when I heard his words. His voice was filled with anger. I lifted my hand and tried to push his hand, but his grip only tightened.

 "Don't you dare to tell this shit to anyone. Your mom got the surname of Kingston, but you... you can never get that."

 He let go of me with a rough push. I almost lost my balance, but thanks to the pillar beside the door, I was able to stand still again.

 I closed my eyes when I felt pain in my injured leg. I gave Kevin an upset look. "I-I will not-"

 He sneered, discarding my words as he walked into the hall.

 My gaze shifted to Trevor, who was standing in his place without moving. He was watching his brother hurting me, but he didn't stop him.

 I bit my tongue, trying to ignore the pain in my heart. 'Why would he stop his brother? My love is one-sided. He never noticed me before yesterday.'

 Trevor's eyes were still on me. His silence and icy gaze were frightening me.

 I took a deep breath. I did not know how I got the courage, but I took a few steps toward him. 

 I stopped a foot away from him and tried to explain everything.

 "T-Trevor, I will never talk about this to anyone."

 His gaze sharpened after hearing me. My breath became heavier. 'Did I say something wrong?' I thought.

 "You knew everything. That's why you tried to grab our attention yesterday. You and your mom planned it for a long time," he spoke in a low tone.

 His voice was full of anger. It was like an ice cube that rubbed on my cracked heart.

 I shook my hands. "No, I swear. I didn't know about it."

 He gritted his teeth and turned around. I was stunned when I saw him walking out of the hall as if he did not want to enter the hall anymore.

 I rushed toward him outside and held his arm to stop him. "Trevor, trust me."

 He paused his steps. I looked at his side profile. He was a very handsome man. But the coldness that he always had on his face made others afraid to approach him.

 He turned his head and glanced at my hand, which was holding his arm.

 His gaze shifted to my face, and he yanked his arm away.

 "How dare you touch me with your filthy hand?" he asked with disgust, as if I were dirty.

 My lips quivered, and tears flowed out of my eyes. He pushed the same hand he wounded yesterday. I felt pain under the bandage, but I didn't react.

 I tightened my fist and lowered my head.

 "I-I am sorry."

 He turned away and took a few steps, then stopped.

 Without turning his body, he turned his head to the side.

 His gaze was like ice, pinning me to the spot. ​"One more thing," he said.

 I looked at him, eager to hear him again. But when he spoke again, it totally broke my heart.

 "Stay away from us. And don't you dare try to act like you belong here. We will make your life a living hell if you get in our way."

-

I walked down the road, my heart pounding with a mix of pain and anger. Their words echoed in my head, especially Trevor's words. But something inside me shifted.

"They humiliated me as if I forced my mom to marry their dad. They told me to stay away. Okay, I will do it. I will never cross their path again." My voice trembled with a pain that went beyond humiliation.

I decided from now on I would never let them hurt me again.

The next few days,

I only focused on myself. I started to seek a job.

I threw myself into finding a way out. Even with my hand bandaged, I practiced piano every chance I got, preparing for an audition.

I tried my best to ignore Trevor and Kevin on campus and in my life. I believed I was moving on in my life.

Then suddenly I finally got a ray of hope.

I received an offer for a part-time job!