Chapter 1 - Black Card

Belle lingered a few steps away from the counter, her cart full, her courage not quite enough.

Her fingers tightened around the handle as she drew in a slow, unsteady breath. A thin sheen of sweat gathered along her forehead despite the cool air of the store. She already knew the total would be overwhelming—far beyond what she could comfortably afford—but she had no choice.

Every item in her cart was necessary.

For her internship. For her future.

She had already drained most of her savings on school requirements—books, uniforms, fees that never seemed to end. Her part-time salary wouldn’t come until the weekend, and the small amount left from her parents’ insurance… she refused to touch it unless she absolutely had to.

With only one year left in medical school, she had no room for mistakes.

No room to fall.

Her gaze dropped back to the cart. The weight of it felt heavier than it should, pressing down on her chest until it tightened painfully. She inhaled again, deeper this time, trying to steady herself.

Then, before she could lose her nerve, she pushed the cart forward.

Each step toward the counter felt mechanical, as if her body had taken over while her mind lagged behind. She swallowed repeatedly, trying to ease the dryness in her throat.

The cashier began scanning her items one by one. The soft beeping of the machine sounded too loud in her ears. Belle’s eyes flickered to the monitor—and stayed there.

The numbers climbed. Higher.

Her stomach dropped.

By the time the last item was scanned, the total glared back at her—cold, unforgiving. It exceeded her entire month’s earnings at the bar.

Her fingers trembled as she reached for her wallet. Inside, her gaze lingered on one particular card. The one she wasn’t entirely sure she should use.

Her breath hitched. For a moment, she hesitated—then, with shaking hands, she pulled it out and handed it over.

The moment the cashier saw it, something changed. Her movements slowed. Her eyes sharpened.

Suspicion crept into her expression as she examined the card closely, turning it slightly under the light before lifting her gaze back to Belle.

“Is this your card?” she asked, her tone no longer casual.

Belle stiffened.

“Ah—ahm… y-yes,” she stammered, quickly wiping the sweat from her forehead. Her feet shifted nervously against the floor as the cashier continued to stare at her—then back at the card.

The silence stretched. Heavy. Uncomfortable.

“Wait here,” the cashier finally said, her voice firm.

She stood and walked toward the guards, murmuring something Belle couldn’t quite hear.

But she didn’t need to.

The way the guards turned to look at her—sharp, assessing—was enough.

A cold wave of dread washed over her.

Her feet felt rooted to the floor, as though she had been nailed in place. Even if she wanted to leave, she doubted she’d be allowed to. Not with the guards now watching her. Not with the curious glances from other customers beginning to gather.

Her heart pounded harder.

Her thoughts spiraled uncontrollably—one worse than the next.

What if they thought she stole it?

What if—Her breath hitched.

She didn’t even realize how long she had been standing there until the cashier returned—this time with a man beside her.

He held the card.

“Good day, ma’am. Is this your card?” he asked immediately, his voice firm, authoritative.

Belle’s chest tightened.

“Ahm—it’s not what you think—it was given to me,” she blurted out, panic breaking through her words. Her voice trembled, barely holding together.

“Who gave you the card?” the man pressed, his tone turning sharper, more intimidating.

“He… he’s a friend…” she whispered, her voice so soft it almost disappeared.

Even to her own ears, it sounded weak. Unconvincing. A mistake.

“A friend?” the man repeated, narrowing his eyes as he studied her.

Belle lowered her gaze, her shoulders shrinking inward. “Yes… a friend…”

The doubt in his expression didn’t waver. And neither did the stares around her.

Heat crept up her neck as whispers began to ripple through the store. Her vision blurred as tears gathered in her eyes.

“You’re lying,” the man suddenly snapped.

The accusation rang out, loud enough to draw even more attention. Belle flinched.

“No—I’m not,” she said quickly, her voice breaking. “Please, if it can’t be processed, I’ll just return everything. I’ll go…”

She reached out instinctively, intending to retrieve the card—but before her fingers could even brush it, the man shoved her hand away.

Pain shot through her wrist.

She gasped, staring at him in shock.

“Did you think it would be that easy?” he said harshly. “You stole a card and tried to use it. You’re a fraud.”

The words hit her like a slap. Fear. Panic. Humiliation. They all crashed into her at once.

Her head dropped, unable to face the accusing eyes surrounding her. The murmurs grew louder, heavier, suffocating.

“Please… I’m not what you think,” she pleaded, her voice trembling as tears spilled over. “I didn’t steal anything. Please just let me go…”

“Call the police,” the man said coldly, turning to the cashier. “Tell them we have a thief and a fraud here.”

The words shattered what little composure she had left.

Police.

Her breath caught.

Tears streamed freely now, her entire body trembling. All her life, she had lived with so little—but never, not even once, had she resorted to stealing. No matter how hungry she had been, no matter how desperate things got.

And now—Now she was being treated like a criminal.

“Please, sir… please…” she begged, her voice breaking apart. “I didn’t steal anything. Please believe me…”

“Do you think you can just walk away from this?” he sneered. “You’ll be spending the night in jail.”

The words drained the strength from her body.

Jail.

Her mind went blank. Why… why had it come to this? She only wanted to buy what she needed. That was all.

“Please… please don’t,” she whispered helplessly. “I’m begging you… I didn’t steal the card…”

“You’ll have time to think about your actions in prison,” he replied without a hint of compassion.

Her pleas meant nothing.

To him, she was already guilty.

The final thread holding her together snapped.

Her legs weakened, her vision dimming as dizziness overtook her. She reached out blindly, gripping the edge of the counter to steady herself before she collapsed.

Everything around her felt distant.

Muted.

Heavy.

How could they be so cruel…?

*****😔😔*****