A loud bang echoed as I hit the pavement, my head snapping back hard. A bag of cans spilled across my body, clattering like broken dignity.
"You beggar! I told you to get out of my way!"
A woman, dressed in a lavish red dress, towered over me. She screamed like a lioness over her kill, her expensive heels inches from my face.
"Enough!" a guard shouted, stepping between us just before she struck me with her purse.
"Who the hell do you think you are to stop me?!" she hissed, fury dripping from her lips. But the guard held firm.
"I'm sorry, ma'am. But it's the law. If you continue to harass her, you'll be banned from the hotel."
"Tch. Pathetic." She scoffed. "A grand hotel that can't even clear out its trash."
She tossed a final glare my way before strutting off, her heels clicking against the marble like gunshots.
I groaned and pushed myself up, my limbs aching. My silver-brown hair had dulled to a lifeless gray from years of neglect. Torn clothes clung to my thin frame, the hem of my pants barely reaching my knees. One slipper had holes; the other was barely holding together.
The guard, seeing my state, quietly bent down to help me collect the cans. He handed me the bag with quiet respect.
"Thank you," I whispered, gripping the handles and walking away, deeper into the bustling streets.
"Ah… how could such a pretty girl end up like this?" He murmured, shaking his head. "This world's too cruel."
Cars honked. People bustled by, blurred shapes in a city that no longer saw me. I bent to pick up another can, fingers brushing cold metal. This one still had water in it.
Jackpot.
I made my way to a nearby bench and collapsed, gulping the stale liquid like it was gold. With my thirst eased, I slumped back and closed my eyes.
I'm Leyla Eeian.
Once a loving daughter.
Once a girl full of dreams.
Naive. Stupid. Hopeful. That was me.
I used to think the world was beautiful. That people were kind. That love would save me.
Ha. Look at me now.
A girl who chased the fairytale… and ended up in the gutter.
It started like all tragic stories do—with love. I had a crush. A high school boy. I thought he was my whole world. And when he proposed, I thought I had won the lottery.
I should have run. I should have listened to every warning.
But I didn't.
I gave him everything. When my parents moved abroad, I stayed behind to be the perfect daughter-in-law. I gave up my future, my dreams, and my soul.
And what did I get in return?
Betrayal. Beatings. Starvation. And eventually, abandonment.
They tossed me aside like spoiled food. Laughed at my pain. They blamed me for not giving them a child—after they'd nearly beaten the life out of me.
I gave them everything. My life. My soul. My heart.
I regret it.
I hate this life.
I HATE THIS WORLD.
I HATE THEM ALL!
THEY SHOULD DIE!
I hurled the bottle to the ground, watching it shatter like my hope.
What does it matter anymore? Six years. That's how long I've survived on scraps and tears. I'm already dying.
As I sat in my misery, tears welled up, slipping down my cheeks. Silent, aching sobs.
Then something strange happened.
A blue napkin, adorned with a snake design, was placed beside me on the bench. I blinked, startled. I looked up.
And there he was.
Ryker Finn.
The man known as the Devil's King. A man with no heart. Cold. Unfeeling.
He stood there, watching me—expression unreadable, eyes hollow.
What…?
I couldn't understand it. My brain, fogged by hunger and pain, couldn't process what I was seeing. But my hands moved anyway. I took the napkin. I wiped my tears.
He didn't move. Didn't speak.
When I was done, he turned to leave. Desperate, I reached out and grabbed the back of his coat.
Big mistake.
He shoved me back with surprising force. His voice was sharp.
"I gave you the napkin because you looked pathetic. Don't get any funny ideas."
He turned and walked away.
And then… I laughed.
Not out of pain. Not sadness.
Joy.
Because someone—anyone—had shown me a sliver of humanity.
Ryker paused near his car, glancing back with a frown. He probably thought I was insane.
A voice inside the vehicle spoke: "Was that wise? You hate interacting with people."
He leaned back, closing his eyes.
"I just don't like seeing someone cry."
The other man shivered as he noticed bloodstains on Ryker's shirt—fresh from "dealing" with his competitors.
"Driver, take us to the office."
Meanwhile, I was still clutching the napkin when the blow came.
A bat struck the back of my head.
And darkness swallowed me.
Beep. Beep. Beep.
The sound pulled me back. My eyes fluttered open.
White ceiling. Bright lights. Sterile air.
I couldn't move.
Why…?
I tried to sit up—couldn't. My arms and legs were bound tightly to the bed.
"What's going on…?"
"She's awake!" a voice shouted.
A woman in a hospital gown entered the room—but it wasn't her that stopped my heart.
It was he.
Liam.
My ex-husband.
He walked in, smug and grinning, pulling the woman close to his side.
Of course. He'd remarried. Left me to rot and found someone new.
"Oh honey, you look so..." He gestured to her, not even knowing what to say, but the darn woman smiled even brighter as she said in a sweetie voice.
The woman giggled. "Oh baby, stop with the talking. Let's get to it. I'm already so jealous seeing you with your ex. you don't want me to get jealous, right?"
She leaned up to kiss him. I wanted to vomit.
I opened my mouth to scream at them—but nothing came out.
No sound.
Panic bloomed. I tried again. Still nothing.
Liam smirked. "Yeah, I figured you'd try that. Told the doctors to silence that annoying voice of yours."
He stepped closer. Brushed my hair back like a doting husband. Kissed my cheek like it meant something.
A lie. All of it.
"Well, let's begin," he said.
A doctor entered with two nurses. They started unbuckling my restraints.
I squirmed, terrified.
That's when I heard it.
"Her heart is a perfect match," the doctor said. "The transplant will be a success."
My heart.
They were going to take my heart.
I don't know where I got the strength. But I fought. I screamed silently. Kicked. Bit. And finally—broke free.
Blood dripped from my wrists where the ropes had dug deep, but I didn't stop.
I ran. Through halls. Up the stairs.
Toward the rooftop.
Bang!
The door burst open, wind whipping against my face like cold freedom. I stepped onto the balcony.
My feet carried me forward.
This is it.
This is how I end.
I wonder what Mom and Dad would think… knowing their daughter died like this.
But it's my life.
What more do they want from me?
I reached the edge.
The moon was so bright. For the first time in 15 years, I felt peace.
"Home…" I whispered. "I'll finally be free."
A bang behind me.
Liam's voice screamed my name.
I giggled.
Too late.
I looked down—and there he was.
Ryker Finn.
Standing at the steps of the hospital.
Looking right at me.
As if he could see straight into my soul.
I tilted my head and wondered, if I fall… will he catch me?
I smiled.
Closed my eyes.
And let the wind carry me.
At last...
I was free.