Smell of freedom

A week after the call I had with my mum, I stood in front of the house I'd vowed never to return to. The building reminded me of the ugly things I went through before James bought me. The neighbourhood wasn't any different from what I remembered. More Alphas had probably moved in—considering the elegantly reconstructed houses I'd seen down the street—and that was the only difference here.

My hands shook as I knocked on the door. I'd only returned because of the threat on my Half-sister. Apparently, my dad had a brother who didn't know about me until recently, and he had reached out to her. 

Mum opened the door. She looked worse than she did when I last saw her. Her skin hung loose on her bones, and her eyes were sunken and yellowed. She was high already. Of course she was. It was evening, after all. I wouldn't be surprised if she were on her 5th injection of the day. 

“Alina.” She blinked, looking at me as if she hadn't been the one who had used my half-sister as bait to get me here. “You came.”

“I didn't have a choice, did I?” I stepped inside. The house was exactly as I remembered. The only thing that changed was the open curtains. Mum preferred them closed at all times. 

She waved a bony hand, dismissing my anger like she always did. “Sit down. The lawyer's already here.”

I hadn't even noticed the man in the corner until he stood and extended a hand. He was a middle-aged Beta with bald hair. 

“Miss Alina. I'm Mr Leon, your late father's attorney.”

I stared at his hand, but didn't shake it. “I didn't know my dad had an attorney.”

“That's understandable, since you probably didn't know him that well.” He lowered his hand and adjusted his glasses. 

"I see." Nodding, I sat on a couch opposite him. Mum sat next to me. 

“Your uncle—your father's brother—only recently discovered your existence. He's been quite eager to make things right." 

Mother snorted as she lit a cigarette. “Eager to dump money on his dead brother's bastard, more like.”

I ignored her. “What does he want?” Even though Mum had briefed me about this, I needed to hear it from him. 

Mr Leon opened his briefcase and pulled out a thick envelope and a stack of documents. “Your father, rest his soul, left a substantial estate. Fifty million euros, to be precise. Your uncle has decided to honour his brother's legacy by ensuring you receive your rightful share.”

Fuck! Fifty million? Didn't Mum say he was dirt poor? He was a mechanic. There was no way— 

“There's a condition,” the lawyer continued. “Twenty-five million will be transferred to your account immediately upon signing these papers. The remaining twenty-five million will be released once you meet with your uncle in person.”

My hands shook. Twenty-five million. James's price for my freedom was one million. I could pay for it. With that huge amount of money, I could be free.

“Sign them,” my mother urged impatiently, leaning forward. “Sign them now.”

I gritted my teeth in anger as I shot a look at the greedy woman who'd let me suffer my entire life. And now she was here, salivating over my inheritance like a vulture.

“Why do you care?” I mumbled.

She blinked, then forced a smile. “Because I'm your mother, Alina, and I want what's best for you.”

“Bullshit.”

Her smile vanished. “Watch your mouth.”

I snorted. “You don't care about me. You only care about the money.”

Mr Leon shifted uncomfortably. “Perhaps I should give you two a moment—”

“Stay,” my mother interrupted. She stubbed out her cigarette. "If you sign those papers and get that money, I'll give you two million. Two million Euros, Alina. That's more than you can ever earn in your lifetime. You can use it for whatever you want.”

Two million. It was more than enough to buy my freedom, and more than enough to disappear.

“And if I don't?” I asked.

Her eyes turned cold as she leaned close to whisper so that the lawyer wouldn't hear us. “Then I'll tell your uncle exactly what you are: a worthless, wolfless omega and a druggie's daughter. I'll make sure he knows you're so damaged, no one in their right mind would want you. You'll get nothing. Not even the twenty-five million, and as I said before, I'll bring Mai back from that stupid boarding school and sell her off. Trust me, that wasn't a threat.”

My stomach twisted. Fuck her. She knew exactly where to strike.

Mr Leon cleared his throat. “Are you ready to sign the papers, Miss Alina?”

“Do I need to meet my uncle?” I asked, instead of responding to his question.

He nodded. “Meeting your uncle is non-negotiable. He wants to see you in person.”

My mother smiled. “That's not an issue.” She looked at me. “She'll go. Won't you, Alina? Because you know what happens if you don't.”

She didn't need to say it. We both knew. Mia would be in trouble if I didn't.

“Fine!” I reached for the pen and signed my name in shaky letters. “Done,” I whispered, handing the papers back.

Mr Leon smiled and tucked them into his briefcase. “The funds will get to you by tomorrow morning. I'll also be in touch with your uncle's arrangements.”

He got up and left, leaving me alone with the woman who'd given me life and done everything in her power to make it a living hell.

“Two million,” she mumbled, almost to herself. “That's fair. That's more than fair.”

“Don't ever threaten me with Mia again. Ever. She's not a tool like me. At least, one of us deserves a proper childhood.”

“Get out of my house,” she said dismissively, waving her right hand towards the exit.

“Like I could stay here for five more minutes even if I tried.” I stood immediately, and my battered body screamed in protest. “I'll be back tomorrow to take my share.” I turned and left the house without waiting to hear whatever she had to say. 

With my head heavy with everything that had been happening so far, I took a walk instead of taking a cab back to the house. 

Before I knew it, I was standing in front of that exact bar where I met that man. Fuck…