SHATTERED SANCTUARY

“Fuck it, Jordan. I haven’t even touched you and you’re fucking glistening,” he whispered, voice rough with hunger as his fingers stroked down my slick folds.

My legs quivered. A silent moan escaped my mouth as I quickly covered it in shock.

“No, Firefox. Open wide till you’re dead from exhaustion of screaming my name.”

Flinging my hands off my mouth, he buried his teeth into my neck as he entered me fully, reaching all the unholy places I could think of.

“Oh God!” I moaned.

“Not God, princess… Xander West,” he smirked.

They warned me to stay away from him. He was going to destroy me, but I wanted it.

But that was before....

(PRESENT DAY)* * * *

Cold water hit my face, soaking into my hair, my skin, and the sheets beneath me.

I opened my eyes slowly as my eyes drifted to the magazine hidden beneath my pillow.

Lakeside Elite Academy.

A place I was never allowed to dream about… yet I did anyway.

Of course.

Lillian stood at the door, empty bucket in hand, watching me like she was waiting for something.

I didn’t gasp.

For a second, I thought the sky had broken.

Ironically, it hadn’t; it was just my annoying stepmother reminding me that I wasn’t supposed to stay comfortable in my father’s house.

Sitting straight, I let the water drip down my skin, soaking into the sheets beneath.

I sat up from the bed as I stared at her.

“Is that all you’ve got, Lillian?” I smiled.

The flicker in her eyes contrasted with the victorious look on her face.

She hated it when I didn’t scream, to her delight, or wriggle and gasp for air every time she decided to ruin my sleep.

The only place I could hear my mother’s voice, even though I couldn’t see her.

For a moment, I thought I heard her voice.

Soft. Calm and gone.

I turned to look around; my bed was soaked again for the third time this week, and the room smelled like mildew.

The breeze blew, sending chills over me as goosebumps appeared on my skin.

An awesome combination with the freezing morning bath I just received.

A routine Lillian never failed to keep.

Cackles and giggles followed in the hallways. There they were, my stepsisters Taylor and Tyler standing staring in pure disgust, their noses scrunched up in mockery.

Tyler was scrutinizing her nails like the world depended on it.

“You know, you could keep your face like that, Taylor… it actually makes you look more beautiful than usual,” I hissed, with a sly grin.

“Dear oh dear… A smart mouth won’t feed you this morning, Jorddeeyy.” She smiled, glaring at the same time.

“Did you forget you have a whole pile of dishes waiting for you?” Tyler said without looking up. Her innocent face contrasted with her personality; one would think she was a saint, but I refer to her as the actual bitch.

Checking her nails every second like they weren’t already cleaner than my undies.

“Get up and move to the kitchen. Now,” Lillian barked.

“Oh wow! ...How did I forget? You fired the slaves, right?” I scoffed.

“Seems like she’s still oblivious to the maid here.” Taylor laughed out loud.

“You were supposed to be in the kitchen 10 minutes ago. Don’t give me reasons to come here again, Jordan,” Lillian said as she waltzed away with her loyal incarnates.

Their expensive perfumes suffocating my lungs as they filled the hallways.

I stood up too quickly and collided into my bookshelf. The room was small but well arranged, if not for Lillian, who keeps checking to see whether I had stolen anything or not.

Unlike Taylor and Tyler, who had all the luxury anyone could think of. They always had the latest bags and shoes, showing off their make-up and flawless skin, which I secretly admired.

Stupid, but I did anyway.

And of all the women on earth, it was my mother’s best friend he married.

I sighed as I fell back on my bed.

It’s been four years, four years since they said she was gone.

I still do not believe a thing they said; it didn’t add up, and I’ve vowed to search for her because I know somewhere in my heart…

“Jorrddaaannn!!”

“Is the moron talking to herself again, Mom? Seriously, we need a psychiatrist for her. I don’t need a mad girl doing my laundry; she could rip off my expensive Gucci tag.” Taylor’s voice resounded in the hallway, and Tyler chuckled.

I folded my fists and stood up, barging out into the hallways.

I got downstairs to see them all prepared.

Taylor and Tyler in the latest dinner gowns Lillian bought for them, their makeup flawless, and Lillian looking like the devil wrapped in her tailored suit.

Today was Monday. Of course, how did I forget?

The school let the elites’ children dress as they liked on Mondays.

“I’m not saying much; you obviously know what to do. Do the laundry, wash the dishes, and of course CLEAN the house.” She smiled and touched my face while I stared at her in horror.

The only image flashing through my mind was one of me in jail for an attempted murder.

“As you know, my husband will be back today, and I don’t need the house to look messy. Also, you change those clothes of yours. You reek of dirt and illegitimacy.” She smirked.

“Move,” Tyler smirked as she shoved my shoulders.

They laughed as they walked out of the house and outside towards the red Lamborghini. And the low hum of the engine followed.

Finally, some silence.

The silence felt strange.

Like something was about to happen.

I couldn’t explain it, but my chest felt tight… as if today wouldn’t end like every other day.

I leaned against the wall.

It was a daily occurrence, but today? This felt unusually painful; I had always wished to go to Lakeside Elite Academy alongside the prestigious kids who attended the school.

Lillian had convinced my father to hire a tutor for me because apparently “girls of my status” aren’t supposed to attend LEA.

I wiped my face. This wasn’t going to be forever.

I moved towards the kitchen, where dishes piled up high—ones I never use. I got to work, reaching for my phone in my pocket as I plugged in my earpiece. I let the music take me away and fill the silence.

By the time I was done, the house sparkled clean. Well, it wasn’t going to last.

I grabbed a cloth and moved to the hallway.

Staring at the shelves as I stood, her picture was right where I left it.

Untouched. Even this was one thing Lillian never dared to touch.

I wiped the glass gently. I could still hear her voice in my head.

A knock sounded from the door. At first I didn’t hear it.

But the second one was loud and clear enough. It dragged me out of my thoughts.

Rushing down the stairs and towards the door, I pulled them open only to see disappointment.

“Oh, hi there, Miss," the mailman greeted.

“Hi, Mr.” I smiled politely, but my eyes said otherwise. My brows furrowed in confusion.

“Umm… I came to drop this, a letter for Miss Monroe Jordan.”

As soon as I heard my name, I panicked. My heart raced faster than usual, sweat gathering on my forehead. Who would drop off mail for me?

“Hellooo… Is this her location? It wasn’t written clearly,” he stated.

I nodded and smiled as I took the letter, signing the necessary materials.

I held it, staring at it for some time; that was when I saw it.

The symbol…