WHEN FATE MOCKS.

Chapter: 5

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SORA:

The alarm went off like it had a personal vendetta against me. It screamed in my ears so loudly I thought I was losing my mind. I groaned, slapping blindly until I found it, hitting it so hard it went silent. I probably broke it. My head throbbed, every inch of my body aching. I lay there for a moment, staring at the ceiling, before turning to look at Beauty. She was still asleep, a thin blanket barely covering her small body.

She looked fragile. Too fragile. I reached out and pressed my palm to her forehead. It wasn’t hot. I released a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. She was getting better.

I glanced at the clock.

7 a.m.

“Shit,” I muttered.

I was late again. Mrs. Cheng was definitely going to explode today. When I tried to get up, every muscle screamed in protest, but resting wasn’t an option. There was no food in this house. I pushed through it anyway, even as the room spun beneath my feet, dizziness washing over me.

Beauty was still sleeping. I crouched beside her and gently brushed my hand down her cheek. She looked peaceful, and I hated myself for having to ruin that.

“Hey, Bee,” I whispered. “Time to wake up.”

Her eyelids fluttered before she frowned and slowly opened her eyes.

“Hi, Papa,” she whispered weakly.

“Hey, baby girl, I’m here,” I said softly. “How are you feeling?”

She shrugged, rubbing her eyes. “I’m tired… and hungry.”

“We’ll fix that,” I said, forcing a smile. “When we get to Mrs. Cheng’s restaurant, I’ll get you lots of food, okay?”

“Can I have ice cream too?” she asked innocently.

“Of course,” I replied, caressing her cheeks. I had no idea how I’d manage it, but I would. Somehow, I always did. Normally, I would take her to daycare before work, but not today. I needed to keep her close. I got her ready carefully, every movement gentle, and for a brief second I wondered what it would feel like to live a stable life. Beauty in a good school. Me not dragging her everywhere I went. I shook the thought away. Wishing didn’t change anything.

Once we were done, we headed out. The hallway was crowded with people rushing to work. We hadn’t taken five steps when Beauty tugged on my hand, her lips pouting, eyes sad.

“What is it, Bee?”

“My toy,” she murmured. “I forgot it.”

I hesitated. We were already late, but one look at her face and I sighed. “Okay… go grab it.”

She ran back into the room. The hallway grew quiet as people left. I shifted from foot to foot, my thoughts drifting to Mrs. Cheng. After the way I’d left yesterday, she would be furious. I was so caught up in that thought that I didn’t notice the shadow until it fell over me.

“Sora.”

I turned slowly and found myself face to face with Arthur, the landlady’s husband.

Not again.

“Good morning,” he said, smiling. “Even looking this tired, you’re still very beautiful. I really can’t keep my eyes off you.”

“Arthur, please stop,” I said, glancing toward our door. “I don’t have time for this.”

“You know how much I want you,” he said. “Stop playing hard to get.”

“I’m not playing hard to get. You have a wife,” I said quietly. “Focus on your family. I have a daughter to take care of.”

“I can take care of you and Beauty,” he whispered. “Just one night.”

“I said I don’t have time for this… I'm not that kind of Omega, I don't know how many times I have to tell you.” I grabbed Beauty’s hand as she returned and started walking away, leaving him behind.

On the way to the restaurant, I kept noticing families–children holding both their parents’ hands. My gaze dropped to my four-year-old, happily playing with her toy, unaware of everything else. I smiled despite myself. She looked nothing like me, although the mask and the haze from my Heat had blinded me the entire time. I knew she took after him, that bastard who had gotten me pregnant, marked me on top of it all and disappeared like he’d never existed.

When we arrived at the restaurant, Mrs. Cheng hadn’t shown up yet. I quickly sneaked some food to Beauty. We ate together before I started work. I washed dishes nonstop, my eyes constantly drifting back to where Beauty sat. The day passed quickly, and soon it was dark. A storm was gathering outside. At least it was the end of the month. I’d be getting paid.

When I stepped into Mrs. Cheng’s office, she looked at me with pure disgust.

“What are you doing here?” she asked coldly.

“I… I came for my monthly payment.”

She laughed. “You walked out on me yesterday, Sora.”

“I’m sorry,” I said quickly. “Please, let me explain.”

“Save it. You’re fired.”

My heart stopped. “Wait… what?”

“You’re fired,” she repeated. “And you’re not getting paid. Leave before I have you thrown out.”

“No, please,” I dropped to my knees. “I need this job. I have a daughter to feed. I swear it won’t happen again.”

She didn’t respond. Moments later, two large men grabbed me and dragged me outside, throwing me onto the wet ground. Rain had already started falling. My chest felt like it was being crushed. This couldn’t be real. As Beauty ran toward me, I wiped my tears quickly. I didn’t want her to see me like this, weak and defeated.

The rain poured harder as we walked home. I picked Beauty up, shielding her with my body. When we reached the apartment building, I noticed a pile near the stairs. At first, I thought it was trash. Then I got closer.

My heart sank.

The little bed Beauty and I slept on. Our bags. Our clothes. Everything soaked in rain.

“Mrs. Li!” I shouted. She came out moments later, looking down at me with cold eyes. “What’s going on? I paid my rent three weeks ago.”

“I don’t want you in my house anymore,” she snapped. “I know you’re trying to seduce my husband and take him for yourself, you omega filth. But don’t worry, I caught up in time and it won’t work.”

“No, please,” I cried. “You’re wrong–”

She cut me off with a glare, pity nowhere to be found. “Go to hell, Sora.”