Unlawful Shadows | +18

Chapter 7

Elowen's POV

I carefully signed my name on the dotted lines, a sense of giddiness filling me. The last few months have been tough, and I was hoping the internship would be a source of steady income that would help me stabilise myself for a little bit.

Never did I imagine that it'll help me pay off the debt all at once. My mind wandered, thinking back to the last time I saw my step-mother. It had been almost five weeks ago, when she had come to collect the monthly instalment.

I still remember the ringing in my ears and the sting of the slap on my face, which I had been on the receiving side of, because I didn't have the full amount ready for her. I had tried my best, going hungry for two days, but I was abruptly fired from the cafe and had to pay my rent, or my landlord would've certainly kicked me out.

"Why don't you take the remaining money from Alison? I'll pay her back as soon as-"

Slap.

"How dare you drag my daughter into this? You should be grateful for all I've done for you, and the least you can do is help me pay back the debt. Ungrateful bitch."

I wanted to question her but I knew better to stay quiet. Dad had done much more for the two of them than they had done for me when he was alive.

Don't talk back, Elowen or it'll just get worse

He had left behind a savings fund for me, meant to pay for my college, only for me to discover later that it had been taken by my step-mother.

"The money has already been taken by Ms. Richardson," the bank had told me.

"Alison deserves to go to college much more than you do. Who do you think is going to accept you anyway?" was the explanation I had received from her, casting a dark shadow over my dreams.

After all of this, why was it still me who had to help her pay off the debt? Why me?

You'll get through this, Elowen. You don't have to worry anymore. The only thing you should focus on doing is your utmost best.

With that in my mind, I walked out of the room, my head help up high, with the contract clutched in my hands.

All uphill from here.

As I walked towards their secretary, Mr. Thornhill, I also noticed the brothers standing there watching me silently, their expressions unreadable. It almost looked like as if they were waiting for me.

Don't be ridiculous, they have better things to do than to wait for you.

"I'm assuming that's the signed contract?" inquired Lysander, a subtle arch in his eyebrow.

"Yes, Mr. Tenebris."

Zander pivoted toward Mr. Thornhill, issuing a crisp command, "Take that to HR immediately."

"Absolutely, Mr. Tenebris."

In what seemed like a sprint, Mr. Thornhill hurried over, snatching the contract from my hands. He navigated the office with a speed that defied human limits, disappearing into the elevator within mere seconds.

Efficiency at its finest, I suppose.

"Welcome to the family, Elowen. We're delighted to have you on board."

My gaze shifted to Zephyr, whose grey eyes harboured a stormy intensity, dark and brooding.

"Thank you for the opportunity, I promise I won't disappoint you."

"I have matters to attend to, so I'll be taking my leave," Zephyr declared, a faint hint of annoyance clouding his expression as he turned to Lysander.

"What's on your agenda at the moment?"