Lucille didn’t give up.Every day, she applied to more jobs. Some companies didn’t reply. Others sent rejection emails that all sounded the same:“We regret to inform you…”She had read those words so many times, they no longer hurt. But today felt different.She had walked a long way to reach the office of Norrcom Allied Solutions, a company that specialized in business partnerships. She had seen the job ad online. Partner Relations Officer, and knew she was perfect for it.But when she arrived and gave her name at the gate, the same thing happened again.“What pack are you from?” the receptionist asked at the security booth.Lucille took a shaky breath. “Downtown Pack.”The woman barely looked at her. “I’m sorry. Only elite pack members may enter. Company policy.”Lucille stepped aside.She didn’t argue. She was too tired.She walked to a bench nearby and sat down. The building stood tall in front of her, made of blue glass and steel. It looked clean, modern, and powerful. Everythin
Lucille sat by the window, staring out at the cloudy sky as the evening breeze gently moved the curtain. On her lap was an old laptop, its screen flickering slightly, but still good enough for what she needed.It had been almost two weeks since she walked away from the estate. Her life was finally hers, and though she didn’t have much, she had peace. That should’ve been enough.But every day, a small voice whispered inside her, You’re meant for more.She clicked open the browser and typed in a job search website. It loaded slowly, but eventually, a list of vacancies appeared.Her eyes scanned the titles:Junior Admin Officer – Arktaven EnterprisesOffice Assistant – Morvick LogisticsData Clerk – GreenSphere SolutionsShe clicked on the first one."Minimum requirement: university degree. Experience in admin preferred. Must have strong organization skills."Lucille smiled a little. If qualifications mattered, she had plenty.She had graduated from the Royal Ebonvale University, the top
Lucille never expected the woman at the tall white house to offer her the job so quickly, but she did. Her name was Mrs. Edith Marklins, and she lived with her husband and their teenage daughter, Lily. They were nothing like the Jones family. The Marklins treated Lucille with kindness and respect from the very beginning.“You can start tomorrow morning,” Mrs. Marklins had said with a gentle smile. “We’ll provide your meals, and there’s a spare room at the back of the house. You can stay there if you’d like.”Lucille had been speechless. She nodded quickly, blinking back tears. “Thank you. Thank you so much, ma’am.”Then she hesitated. "Please ma'am. I just arrived the city. I don't know anyone. No where to stay. Can I...just..move in immediately?""Of course!" Mrs. Marklins responded without hesitation.That same day, Lucille had a roof under her head. Not just any roof, but a perfect one.The room was big. A large bed stood in the middle. The walls were, painted peach. Several pict
Edward stood outside Lucille’s family cottage, his hands clenched at his sides. “Please, Louis,” he said again, voice low, tired. “Just tell me where she went.”But Louis only shook his head, arms still crossed. “She didn’t want to be found. Respect that.”Edward looked into Louis’s eyes. He was serious. Nothing Edward said would change his mind. No amount of begging would make him give up Lucille's location.Edward lowered his gaze. “Alright,” he whispered, defeated.He turned and walked back to his car. As he drove away from the village, the road seemed longer, the sky duller. His heart felt heavy in his chest. He had come all this way, hoping to see her, but he had failed.Back at the estate, Edward pulled into the driveway slowly. The car engine hummed, but he didn’t turn it off right away. He just sat there, staring blankly ahead.The front door opened. Mark, his best friend, came out quickly, face full of frustration.“Edward!” Mark shouted. “What the hell is wrong with you? Why
Edward climbed into his car and slammed the door shut. He leaned back in the seat and closed his eyes. What was he supposed to do now? His phone started ringing. It was his mother.He sighed deeply and rejected the call. Why were they calling him now? His feelings had never mattered to them before.Right now, only one thing mattered. He had to get home fast. He needed to see Lucille, to talk to her, before it was too late.Without thinking, Edward started the car. “I have to go,” he said aloud.He stepped on the accelerator, and drove off. The tires screeched as he sped down the road.His heart pounded as he drove, his thoughts racing even faster. Lucille.She had once asked him if he would give up everything, his name, his ambition, his place among the elites, just to be with her. That night, he hadn’t answered her. Now he had his answer.Yes, he was willing to leave everything for her.His hands tightened around the steering wheel. He pushed the car faster. She needed to hear it fro
The next morning, the Jones estate felt like a funeral. The walls that once echoed with power and pride now felt hollow, soaked in silence and disappointment.Williams Jones, the former Alpha presidential candidate, had lost. His loss overshadowed everything else, even Edward's win.Edward stood near the grand staircase, watching the visitors shuffle around with grim expressions. His eyes searched the room for anyone who might smile at him or even nod. But no one did. Not his uncles. Not his aunts. Not even his younger cousins who once looked up to him.No one said, "Congratulations."No one even acknowledged him.They only spoke in hushed voices, all saying the same thing: "How could Williams lose?" "We needed him there." "What happens now?"And that was when the truth hit Edward like a punch in the chest.It was never about him.All his life, he had followed his father’s lead, chasing power, respect, and leadership. He had sacrificed so much, even Lucille, to stay on that path. And