Threads Of Fate

Waves of Helplessness

As Zenith sprinted through the dimly lit corridors of the estate, her heart raced with a mix of fear and determination. She had to find the documents that bound Daisy to Madame Delphine's brothel, but somewhere along the sprint from the grove to the establishment, a deeper urgency gnawed at her. An urgency she had not felt till now, especially since her newfound sister was also in the same fate. She needed answers—answers about her past, about why her mother had allowed the previous Madame Delphine to exploit her daughters.

As Zenith approached the heavy wooden door of Madame Delphine's office, a knot of anxiety twisted in her stomach, causing her breath to falter in her throat. She could almost feel the weight of her mother's piercing gray eyes on her, cold and unyielding, cutting through her like a knife. In that moment, she was transported back to her childhood, recalling a time when all she yearned for was the warmth of her mother's love and the gentle embrace that felt so distant now. But as the memories flooded her mind, so did a surge of determination. 

Zenith's resolve solidified like steel; she realized she couldn't simply pilfer the documents and flee into the night. No, this was about more than just the papers—it was about seeking the closure she desperately craved. She needed to confront the formidable woman who had influenced not only her life but the lives of countless others. It was time to face the woman who had cast such a long shadow across her existence.

Taking a deep breath, Zenith grasped the ornate handle and slowly pushed the heavy door open, stepping into the lavishly adorned office. The air was thick with the intoxicating scent of high-end perfume, mingling seamlessly with the warm, flickering glow of candlelight that danced across the rich, mahogany furnishings. Madame Delphine looked up from her meticulously arranged desk, her elegant features shifting from initial surprise to a flicker of annoyance as her piercing gaze met Zenith's.

"Zenith," she said coolly, "what are you doing here? I thought I told you to get out.  And how did you get in? I had specifically ordered the guards to not let you in."

"I'm here for answers," Zenith replied, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her. "Why did you do it? Why did you sell your daughters? Did you have such a great need for money or did you just enjoy watching your daughters suffer?"

Madame Delphine's eyes narrowed, casting a shadow over her expression as a fleeting spark of something—was it fear?—danced across her features. She looked at Daisy, her brow furrowing slightly. "I see you've made her acquaintance. That innocent child," she murmured, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "I'd wager she has no idea who she sought help from."

"She doesn't need to know that I'm her sister to ask me for help."

MadameDelphine let out a gutteral laugh, a laugh she had taken years to perfect. She then glanced at Zenith her gray eyes twinkling in amusement,"Sister? I don't think she would be mad at that. I take it that you haven't looked under her gown?"

"What do you mean?" Zenith asked in disgust," Not everyone is like you, mother. Glancing at a woman's privates to deem her worth."

"Tsk, tsk, child. I simply meant have you seen her leg?"

Zenith fixed her gaze intently on Madame Delphine, the silence between them stretching thin and electric. Madame Delphine responded with an unwavering stare, her eyes piercing through the tension like twin blades. Zenith's mind raced, recalling the words imparted by the former Madame Delphine: "Always respond. Yes or No. Simple stares or a mere shake of the head are unacceptable." The memory ignited a flicker of urgency in her, compelling her to break the silence and find her voice.

She let out a sigh," No. I have not seen her leg."

Madame Delphine rose from her desk, her movements exuding an air of authority. She gracefully strode around the polished mahogany surface, her heels clicking softly against the floor. With a commanding presence, she positioned herself directly in front of Zenith, her piercing gaze fixed upon her, ready to convey the weight of her expectations.