Chapter 13: Not Everything Is Hate

"Pick yourself up and get out of here. You're not welcome."

Helena's words cut through me.

Everyone was staring at me.

Some looked confused. Others looked at me with pity, while a few seemed to believe I deserved whatever was happening.

I tried to get up, but the moment I put weight on my leg, a sharp pain shot through it.

I winced.

It seemed I had scraped my leg when I fell.

"Cut your stupid act. No one is buying it," Helena said.

She stepped closer.

"Aren't you a little snake? Did your father send you here?"

Her voice was filled with anger.

"You should thank God I'm not having you arrested and locked up for showing your face here."

"Enough."

Sebastian's voice stopped her.

"That's enough, Helena. Just look around and see the scene you've caused."

"The scene I've caused?" she asked.

She turned toward him.

"Did you know she was the one all along?"

"We'll talk about that later. Not in front of everyone."

He looked around at the crowd.

"For now, everyone should go inside."

"No!"

Helena shook her head.

"This girl is not stepping foot in this place. I refuse to let her stay."

"I wasn't asking, Helena."

Sebastian's voice hardened.

"This has already caused enough of a commotion. If you have something to say to her, say it in private, not like this."

"She deserves to be embarrassed like this, Sebastian. Are you supporting her?"

Helena looked at him in disbelief.

"Have you forgotten what her family did?"

"I said not here, Helena!"

Sebastian raised his voice.

Helena stared at him, clearly shocked that he had spoken to her that way.

"What is happening here?"

A deep voice interrupted us.

The Alpha was walking toward us, several guards following behind him.

"Uncle!"

Helena immediately rushed toward him.

"This girl has been staying here for the past few days, disguising herself. I just found out today, and I wanted to chase her out before she caused any problems."

"Why would you do that?" the Alpha asked.

"What?" Helena replied, confused.

"She has to leave, Uncle. Who knows what she came here to do?"

"She came here to work," the Alpha said calmly.

He looked at Helena.

"You do not have the right to chase anyone out of here without my permission."

His voice became firmer.

"Alyssa came here to work, and unless proven otherwise, she will continue staying here."

He paused.

"So she is not going anywhere, Helena."

"But—"

"No buts, Helena."

She fell silent.

"I understand your reasons for wanting her to leave, but you will not do anything without my authorization. Is that clear?"

Helena didn't answer.

"Is that clear, Helena?" the Alpha repeated, his voice growing louder and sterner.

"Yes, Alpha," she replied quietly.

"So Alyssa stays here. That is my final decision."

He turned toward the guards.

"Help her up."

Before they could move forward, Sebastian stepped in and held out his hand toward me.

I stared at him, surprised.

Something about the gesture felt strangely familiar.

It reminded me of a time when we were little.

When he had helped me after the bullies hurt me.

He had stretched out his hand to me just like he was doing now.

I hesitated for a moment before placing my hand in his.

He pulled me to my feet.

I tried to hide the pain shooting through my leg.

Grace and Stella immediately ran over and came to my side, helping me steady myself.

Sebastian released my hand once he was sure I could stand on my own.

Helena was still standing there, staring at Sebastian as though she couldn't believe what she had just witnessed.

"Whatever this was, it's over now," the Alpha said.

"Everyone, get back to work."

He turned and walked away.

Helena stared at me one last time before angrily walking away.

Sebastian followed after her.

I finally let out a breath I didn't realize I'd been holding.

I was surprised that not a single tear had fallen from my eyes throughout everything.

I hadn't cried.

"Can you walk?" Stella asked.

"Yes, I can," I replied.

"Come on. You heard the Alpha. Get back to work."

Claudia clapped her hands.

Then she pointed at me.

"You. This shouldn't stop you. Go and continue the work you were doing."

"Yes, Head Maid."

I turned toward Stella and Grace.

"About what happened today, I can explain," I began.

Grace immediately stopped me.

"You don't have to tell us anything you're not ready to talk about."

She gave me a reassuring smile.

"We'll always be here to listen whenever you're ready. You don't have to say anything because you feel like you owe us an explanation. You don't owe us anything, okay?"

Stella nodded.

"Exactly, Aly darling. You don't have to say anything you don't want to."

She looked at my leg.

"Are you sure you can work, though? We can help you with your work, and you can go and rest."

I laughed softly.

"I'm okay. And besides, I don't think Claudia will like that very much."

I smiled.

"Let's go."

I held their hands, and together, we went back inside.

I began working again.

But the pain in my leg was slowing me down.

With every step, it became harder to ignore.

Eventually, I looked around for a quiet spot and sat down.

I rubbed the injured area, hoping the pain would ease.

I really hoped it wouldn't leave a scar.

Then I felt someone's presence nearby.

I looked up.

Sebastian.

I immediately stood.

"I'm sorry, Young Master Sebastian. I was just resting for a bit. I'll get back to work now."

"Sit back down, Alyssa."

His voice left no room for argument.

"I'm sorry for—"

"Just sit down, please."

He rubbed his forehead as though he was already losing patience.

I slowly sat back down, keeping my head lowered.

He motioned for one of the guards to come over.

"Go get me the first-aid kit."

I looked up, confused.

What did he need it for?

The guard soon returned with the kit and handed it to Sebastian.

Sebastian took it and walked over to me.

Then he knelt down in front of me.

"What are you doing?" I asked, trying to stand.

He caught my hands and gently pulled me back down.

He glared at me.

"Sit down."

I obeyed.

"This might sting a little," he said.

I bit my lip as he cleaned the scrape.

The sting made me wince.

He looked up at me briefly, his expression unreadable.

Then he carefully placed a bandage over the injury and stood.

"There. I think it's better now."

He looked at me.

"You don't have any other injuries, right?"

I shook my head.

He handed me two small tubes.

"Here."

I took them.

"This one is to help prevent it from leaving a scar, and this one is for the pain."

He pointed to the second one.

"In case it starts hurting, you can apply it. It should soothe the pain."

I nodded.

"Thank you," I said quietly.

I looked down at the ointments in my hands.

"You didn't have to do this."

"Yes, I didn't have to do it."

He looked at me.

"But I did it anyway."

His eyes dropped to my injured leg.

"I'm sorry, Alyssa."

His voice was barely above a whisper.

Then he turned around and walked away.