LOGINAriaI fixed my hair, straightened my clothes, and put on my brightest smile. No one could see. No one could know how Jace treated me.“You’re back,” Celeste said when she saw me.“Yes.” I picked up my bag, keeping my voice normal. “I’m going to the restroom.”I rushed to the bathroom. I looked in the mirror. There they were—dark bruises already forming on my neck, like ugly purple flowers.I reached for my bag to get my makeup when Joy and the others walked in.“Mina, what the hell happened to you?” Joy’s eyes went straight to my neck.I opened my mouth to say nothing, then stopped. An idea formed in my head. A perfect, beautiful idea.“It’s nothing.” I looked down, like I was ashamed. “It’s not Celeste’s fault. It’s mine.”“What?” Joy’s face turned red with anger. “Don’t tell me she did this to you!”“No, she didn’t.” I shook my head quickly. “Please, it wasn’t her.”“You’re too kind, Mina,” Angel said, her voice hard. “Too kind. We know she’s the one. She probably reported you to t
Aria“Why would I believe someone who abandoned her own father?” I added, putting just the right amount of disgust in my voice.“Thank you for believing me,” Celeste said, and I could see the relief flooding her face. “I didn’t expect this from you.”My chest burned with anger, but I kept smiling. “I shouldn’t have treated you the way I did before,” I said, making my voice soft and apologetic. “I thought you were trying to steal my job.”“Ha.” She actually laughed, raising her hands. “Never. I’m only here to learn.”“I’m sorry. I misunderstood you completely. Please forgive me.”“I forgive you, Mina.” Her whole face lit up like a child who’d just been given candy.Poor, stupid girl. She had no idea what was coming. No matter what, she could never be a real Monroe. Real Monroes weren’t fools.“Thank you,” I said sweetly. “See you later. I need to check on the boss.”“Okay.”I wanted to ask her why she’d never told me she was Jace’s stepsister, but I stopped myself. That would make her
Mina“Sir,” I called out, keeping my voice steady even though my heart was racing. I couldn’t let him see what I was really thinking.“What is it, Mina?” His scream made me flinch, but I kept my face blank. “Get out. Now!”My chest tightened. “Okay, sir.” I turned slowly, my hands shaking at my sides.I looked at Celeste, who stood there as if she owned the place. “What are you still waiting for, Celeste? Let’s go.”“No,” Jace suddenly said. “Celeste stays.”I stared at him, feeling something cold and heavy settle in my stomach. So this was how it was going to be. I turned and walked to the door.My hand gripped the handle so tight my knuckles turned white. I opened it and slammed it shut behind me, hoping the sound would hurt his ears.The moment I stepped outside, my coworkers rushed toward me like hungry birds spotting food.“Do you hear that, Mina?” Joy’s eyes were wide with excitement. “Is it true that—”I covered her mouth fast and dragged her away from Jace’s office. My pulse w
AriaI walked through the company building with my head down. My heart was pounding so loud.Keep walking. Don’t look up. Almost there.I passed the security. No one stopped me.Finally, I reached Jace’s office. The door was right in front of me. I didn’t knock. I just pushed it open and walked in.“What kind of cleaner barges into her boss’s office without knocking?” Jace said. He looked up from the papers he was reviewing with Mina.Then he saw my face.His expression changed from shock to anger to disgust.“I—” I screamed. I ran toward him and grabbed the front of his shirt. “How dare you treat me like trash! How dare you!”“That uniform fits you well, Aria,” Jace said coldly. “You could apply for a cleaner’s job here. It suits you.”I felt like he’d stabbed me in the chest.“How dare you!” Tears started rolling down my face. Before I could stop myself, I slapped him hard across the face.The sound was so loud. Mina gasped.Jace’s head turned from the force. A red mark appeared on
Aria“How much do you want?" I asked, trying to keep my voice calm despite the boiling anger inside me. I felt the urge to lash out and hurt her, but I knew I needed her.“Ten thousand dollars.”“What!” I choked. “That is daylight robbery. That’s too much.”“Too much?” She stood up again. Her chair scraped against the floor. “Then goodbye, Miss Aria.”“Wait!” I grabbed her arm again. “Fine. Fine! Ten thousand. I’ll transfer it now.”“Good,” she smiled. That smile made me want to break her teeth.My hands were shaking as I pulled out my phone. Ten thousand dollars. Almost everything I had saved.But I had no choice. None.“Your details,” I said. I forced a smile onto my face even though I wanted to scream.She slowly recited her bank details to me, savoring the moment as if she knew I was desperate.I typed in the numbers. My finger hovered over the confirm button.Ten thousand dollars. Gone. Just like that.Then I pressed it.“Done,” I muttered. My voice was hollow. “Check your accoun
AriaI lay on the ground, breathing heavily, my entire body trembling.Everyone was staring and whispering.This was Jace’s fault. All of it. If it wasn’t because of him, that low-life girl would never dare to step on me like this.I picked up my bag with trembling hands. I got up. Dusted off my clothes.But I didn’t leave. I couldn’t leave. Not yet.I walked around the corner and waited. I hid behind a pillar and watched the entrance.I needed to get in. I needed to see him. Even if I had to dress as a cleaner to do it.I waited for almost an hour. My feet hurt from standing in heels, but I didn’t move.Then I saw her.Mrs. Walker. The old cleaning lady. The one who cleaned Jace’s office every day.I remembered her. I’d insulted her before. Called her pathetic for being so old and still working as a cleaner.But right now, she was perfect.I quickly fixed my hair and walked up to her with my brightest smile.“Mrs. Walker!” I called in the friendliest voice I could manage.She jumped.







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