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MIA'S POV

“I'm sorry, Mia. We have to let you go."

I blinked at Mr. James, unsure if I heard correctly. "Le... let me go?"

"Yes. We have no use for you anymore."

My stomach dropped. "Did I do something wrong?"

He sighed, leaning back casually. "Not really. We just feel we have more than enough cleaning staff."

"In this huge mall?" I whispered.

"Six cleaners is too many."

My palms burned with sweat, tears pushing forward. This couldn't be happening. Not now.

"But it's a big mall. You even need more—"

"You can't tell us how to run this place," he snapped. "We decided to let one person go, and it's you."

My heart squeezed painfully. "Please, Mr. James—this is the only job—"

"That will be all."

I froze. "Leave my office," he added coldly, eyes glued to his laptop.

I stood, numb, hoping he'd change his mind, but he didn't even look up. I stepped out and shut the door behind me, tears spilling immediately.

Where was I going to go now? How would I even begin job hunting again?

I forced myself to the locker room, unlocked my locker, and stared at my things. My phone lay on top of my folded clothes. My only hope was one number—Axel.

My finger hovered over it, trembling.

"Mia?" Mary's voice made me flinch. She rushed toward me. "Why did he call you in?"

I couldn't speak. A tear fell on my phone.

"Mia, talk to me."

"I got fired," I whispered.

"Oh no. What reason did he give?"

I couldn't answer. I'd worked so hard. I didn't deserve this.

Mary rubbed my shoulder, but before she could say more, the door swung open. Gina, Cassie, and the rest walked in.

"Oh look," Gina said loudly. "One of us is leaving today for some juicier reasons."

My heart dropped.

"I heard someone has been sleeping with the owner's son," Gina added proudly.

Gasps filled the room.

My knees weakened. Mary tensed beside me.

"Funny how she thinks being pretty means she can seduce her way into a better life," Gina sneered. "What a slut."

Their laughter echoed. My chest tightened so hard I could barely breathe.

I grabbed my things and bolted.

"Run along, slutty ass!" Gina yelled as the others cackled.

I sprinted to the restroom, sobbing, gripping the sink as Gina's words replayed in my head.

"Mia," Mary's voice came from the doorway. "Is it true?"

I broke. "I didn't seduce him. I didn't know he was the owner's son. We met at the mall... we fell in love."

She hugged me. "It's okay."

"He wanted the relationship secret, but now they know, and I lost my job."

"One of them must've snitched," she whispered.

"But how?"

"Gossips always find a way. Listen... does he love you?"

I nodded.

"Then call him. Tell him what happened. He can help you."

I looked at Axel's number again... and dialed.

⸻

AN HOUR LATER

I stood outside Axel's mansion, still calling him, still unanswered. Fear and frustration gnawed at me.

I entered through the gate, walked into his house... the door was open.

"Axel?"

No response.

But there were two used glasses on the living-room table. A red dress lay on the stairs.

My stomach twisted.

With shaky legs, I climbed the stairs.

"Yes... yes... oh, fuck!"

I stopped breathing.

I moved toward the door, pushed it open—and saw him. Axel. With a brunette. On his bed.

The sound left my lungs in a broken scoff.

"What the—who is she?" the girl asked, staring at me.

Axel's head whipped toward me. "Mia..."

He jumped up, covering himself with a duvet. My tears blurred his image.

"Who is she?" the girl demanded again.

"She's... uh... no one. Amy, she's no one."

No one.

That stabbed deeper than the sight of them in bed.

"Handle her and come back," Amy snapped. "Before I break her face."

Axel put on his shorts and grabbed my arm. "Let's go."

"Axel..." My voice cracked.

He dragged me downstairs. "I told you to call me before coming."

"I did. You didn't answer."

He didn't respond, just paced.

"Who is she to you?" I whispered.

"Listen, Mia, you need to leave."

"What?"

"You don't show up unannounced. You're bound to see something you won't like."

I stared at him, stunned. "You're cheating on me."

"You weren't supposed to be here."

I scoffed. "Unbelievable."

He rubbed his temple. "What are you even doing here? Today isn't one of our days."

"I got fired," I said quietly.

"What?"

"They fired me. Someone told them about us."

He sighed. "Just go home. I'll talk to my mother."

I stared at him, heart tearing. "Why are you like this? You said you loved me."

"I told you what I told you. If you believed it, that's on you. Go."

"Axel—"

"Get your filthy hands off my man, blond whore," Amy snarled from the stairs.

Before I could react, she shoved me. I stumbled back.

"Amy!" Axel called, but she ignored him.

"Get out of our house!" she barked.

Axel looked at me with zero remorse. "Just go, Mia."

Amy pushed me again. I hit the floor with a whimper.

"Come on, Axel. I haven't orgasmed yet."

He followed her upstairs without another glance.

I stood shakily, sobbing as they disappeared together. Then I left the mansion, completely shattered.

⸻

HOURS LATER

I sat in a crowded fast-food joint, untouched meal before me, phone buzzing nonstop. Mary was calling, but I couldn't bear to talk. I hadn't stopped crying for hours.

My job was gone.

My relationship destroyed.

Everything falling apart at once.

My phone beeped with a voice note—my mother.

"Mia, where are you? I need tampons and painkillers. I don't have money. Get them for me ASAP."

I exhaled shakily, grabbed my bag, and left.

⸻

AN HOUR LATER

I arrived at my mother's small bungalow. Before I could knock, the door swung open and my little sister Victoria grinned at me.

"Mia!"

I knelt and hugged her. Her tiny arms squeezed me until I finally felt something warm inside me.

She took her chocolate snack happily, and her smile managed to ease the ache in my chest.

We walked inside.

"Where's Mom?" I asked.

"She's in—"

"Victoria," a deep voice interrupted.

My stepfather.

George.

My pulse quickened as I turned toward him.