Prologue

The darkness was suffocating, a heavy blanket that wrapped around me like a shroud. It was the only way I could describe the feeling of being wrongly accused, of being framed for a crime I didn't even commit. The weight of the world's scorn bore down upon me, a crushing force that threatened to extinguish the light within me.

"You... you killed my daughter!" a woman in her forties screamed as she sprang angrily toward me.

Everyone gathered in the pavilion as they took a look at what just happened. Several whispers and inaudible mutters enveloped my ears as they looked at me with pure disgust and hatred for something I didn't even do in the first place.

"I... I didn't d-do..." I stuttered, finding it hard to even talk and explain myself.

I looked around at the crowd that had gathered. Their eyes were filled with disgust and judgment, their whispers growing louder.

"She's lying," someone muttered.

"Geez. I always knew there was something off about her," another voice added.

And many more chitchats go on. 

"No! Please, listen to me! I didn't do..." my voice broke, drowned out by the rising tide of accusations.

"Enough," a deep voice said shamelessly, which I assumed was a police officer, silencing the crowd. The police officer then grabbed my arm, his grip firm and unyielding as he put the handcuffs on me. "You have the right to remain silent."

"But I didn't do this!" I cried, pulling against his hold hoping he'd let me go. "You have to believe me! Someone surely set me up for this! Why would I do this to a friend? You're getting the wrong person!"

But he didn't even flinch. "Tell it to the judge."

My knees buckled as I was dragged away from the chaotic crowd. The last thing I saw was Marga's mother crumpling to the ground, her screams echoing in my ears like a siren.

I gazed at my crimson-painted hands before turning my gaze to Marga's cold, lifeless body on the floor, awash in her own blood. My hands were trembling violently, and it just only became worse when everyone began accusing me of something I had not done.

But of course, no matter how hard I tried to explain myself, no one believed me, and no one will. 

My eyes, once bright and full of hope, were now dulled with the weight of shame. I had been just a young woman, with my whole life ahead of me when the nightmare began. A whispered rumor, a careless accusation, and my entire world was turned upside down. The accusations piled up, the evidence against me mounting until I was left with nothing but the bitter taste of injustice.

The courtroom had been a blur, a distant hum in the background as I watched my life unravel before my eyes. The words "guilty" and "murderer" echoed in my mind, a constant reminder of the harsh reality I now face.

A heavy silence fell across the courtroom as I lowered my head further while my attorney looked stunned, almost pleading with the jury, but the verdict had been delivered. 

"The verdict has been rendered. Ms. Reed, you are hereby found guilty. Sentencing will be carried out in two weeks," the judge announced, while Looking over his glasses, voice firm and unwavering.

My attorney stood. "Your Honor, please. There must be a mistake. This woman is innocent. You cannot let this stand!"

"This court has spoken. The law has been upheld. The guilty verdict stands," he replied with a finality in his voice.

I was then escorted out of the courtroom, still shaking my head in disbelief, while my attorney stood frozen in shock. The prosecutor, satisfied with the outcome, stood and watched us leave, no sign of sympathy in his expression, and even before I got out of the room, I even whispered him say something.

"Sometimes, justice isn’t about what’s right. It’s about what can be proved."

Right, that's right. Must be the reason why I was in this hell-bent situation while completely alone. Utterly alone.

And just like that, I had been stripped of the life I deserved. As I stood in the cold, grey cell, the steel bars closing in around me like a vise, it felt like I was drowning in a sea of despair. The thought of spending the rest of my life behind bars, with no chance of redemption or justice, was almost too much to bear.

I often found myself staring at the ceiling, replaying that night over and over. The laughter, the music, the screams. What had I missed? Who had set me up for something I haven't done?

"You know, thinking about it won't change anything," my cellmate, Janice, muttered one night.

I glanced at her. "I can't let it go. Someone killed her, and it wasn't me. It's unfair."

She shrugged. "It is, but the world doesn't care about the truth, Eli. They only care about what they believe."

And by that, her words haunted me. She's right.

But even in the depths of this darkness, a spark within me refused to extinguish. A spark of defiance, determination, and hope that one day I would be free to clear my name and prove my innocence. And so just like that, I waited, my eyes fixed on the distant horizon, my heart beating with a quiet resolve.

But then, who am I kidding? Nothing even changes, I wasn't able to change my fate and destiny. I was wrong for hoping and believing for justice because I spent the remaining years, serving the time for something I shouldn't be in the first place.

And then, there comes the day of my release unexpectedly. The rusty gates of the prison creaked open, and for a moment, I froze, unsure of how to step forward.

"Eli Reed?" the guard called, his tone clipped.

I nodded, clutching the small bag that contained my few belongings.

"Sign here." He shoved a clipboard at me. I scrawled my name, my hand shaking. "You're free to go," he said, stepping aside.

I hesitated. Free? Huh, as if. Don't make me laugh. The word felt foreign, almost mocking.

As the rusty gates of the prison creaked open, releasing a faint echo of despair, I stepped out into the blinding sunlight, my eyes squinting against the glare. Today's the day I am getting discharged after how many years of serving my time inside that prison hell. The weight of my dark past threatened to crush me beneath its suffocating grip, like a shroud of shame wrapped around my shoulders.

I heaved out a deep sigh as I looked around, seeing family members beaming with joy as they greeted their loved ones who had just gotten out of the prison. I searched around for mine but then remembered that I don't really have a family to expect when I get discharged. God, what am I thinking?

"Great," I mumbled.

I looked around my surroundings and took in the fresh air. As the cold breeze embraced me, it also made me realize how cold my life has been. Starting from the cold memories of that fateful night that still lingered, a haunting refrain that echoed through my mind like a dirge, the laughter, the tears, the screams, and the blood-soaked pavement.

My mind reeled as I tried to piece together the fragmented memories of my classmate's lifeless body, but it was all too much to bear. The sting of injustice still lingered, a festering wound that seemed to mock me with every step I took.

I sighed and opened my eyes as I tried to grasp my surroundings. I looked around and realized that everything seemed to be doing fine. The world outside those prison walls seemed to be moving on without me, leaving me behind in a sea of shattered dreams and broken promises.

As I walked away from the only home I had known for the past five years, I couldn't help but wonder if I would ever be able to escape the shackles of my tainted reputation, or if I would forever be trapped in this prison of my own making.

The world had moved on without me. The streets buzzed with life, people bustling about as if nothing had changed. For them, it hadn’t. For me, everything was different.

My stomach churned as I thought about what lay ahead. I had no job, no money, no place to go. My criminal record would be a permanent stain, a scarlet letter branding me unworthy of trust or opportunity. My hands clenched into fists as frustration bubbled to the surface. How could I prove my worth when society had already decided I was worthless?

I passed by a shop window and caught a glimpse of my reflection. The woman staring back at me was a stranger, her eyes hollow, her face etched with lines of pain and exhaustion. I barely recognized myself.

I knew I couldn’t stay here, lost in self-pity. If I wanted to survive, I had to find a way to move forward, no matter how steep the path. The spark inside me flickered, a tiny ember of defiance refusing to be snuffed out.

I straightened my shoulders and took a deep breath. The road ahead was uncertain, shrouded in darkness, but I wouldn’t let it defeat me. Somewhere out there, I would find a way to reclaim my life.

But even as I vowed to rise above my circumstances, a voice in the back of my mind whispered a haunting truth: the world wouldn’t make it easy for me. My journey would be one of survival, of finding hope in the most unlikely places.

And as I walked further from the prison gates, I couldn’t shake the feeling that my story was just beginning. The darkness might have been my past, but I refused to let it define my future.

The city buzzed with life as I walked down the street, a mix of excitement and uncertainty filling my chest. The world around me had moved on, but I felt like I was starting over again. The streets were unfamiliar, the faces indifferent, but that was okay. For the first time in years, I wasn’t defined by my past. I had a chance to build something new.

I pulled out the business card from my pocket. It was sleek, black with gold lettering. Luxe Escorting. The words seemed so out of place in my hands, but I could hear Janice’s voice echoing in my mind.

“This place could be your fresh start, Eli. You can make your own rules here. They’ll pay well, and treat you right, just keep your head straight, alright?”

Janice, my cellmate. The one person who had given me hope when it seemed like there was none. She had been the one to introduce me to the world of high-end escorting, a world she had known for years. She’d made it clear that it wasn’t about what people thought, but what you could make of it. A way to escape the labels, the accusations, and the people who thought they knew your story.

I had been skeptical at first, but after everything I’d been through, I was willing to try. And I really didn't have a choice, did I?

The building in front of me was everything I expected. A tall, sleek structure that seemed to rise up and touch the sky, in the heart of the city. I stood in front of it for a moment, staring at the imposing glass doors. Could I really walk into this new life? Was I ready to shed everything I had been and become someone else?

With a deep breath, I pushed the doors open.

The inside was nothing like I had ever imagined. It was elegant, sophisticated, and entirely out of my league. The space was vast with intricate design, with soaring ceilings that made everything feel larger than life.  Sleek, modern furniture dotted the space, minimalist chairs in muted tones, long, glass tables with clean lines. The walls were lined with abstract art that only seemed to add to the sense of power and refinement the space exuded. Every detail was flawless, from the polished chrome fixtures to the rich wood accents that added a touch of warmth to the otherwise cool, contemporary setting.

A woman in a sharp black suit, her brunette hair pulled back neatly into a smooth chignon greeted me at the reception desk. She greeted me with a calm, professional smile, but there was something about her presence that was commanding, almost intimidating. Her eyes, a piercing shade of green, scanned me quickly, assessing, calculating.

I suddenly felt small, out of place, as if the world inside this building was designed to leave no room for someone like me.

“You must be Eli, if I am not mistaken,” she said, her voice smooth but professional. “It's a pleasant to meet you. We’ve been expecting you.”

I nodded, unsure of what to say. My hands were clammy as I followed her down a hallway lined with luxury. Everything about this place felt foreign, but it was also exactly what I needed.

She led me to a private office with floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the city. It was glamorous, intimidating even, but I couldn’t help but feel a small spark of excitement. Maybe this was my chance.

“I’m Jane,” the woman said, gesturing for me to sit on the velvet-lined sofa. “Here at Luxe, we cater to an exclusive clientele, and we'll make sure that you'll be compensated well and generously. We offer a high level of discretion and service. So, If you’re serious about this, there’s no turning back. This is about reclaiming your power, your confidence, and your independence. We’ll make sure you’re taken care of.”

I took a seat, still unsure, but the weight of the decision in front of me felt lighter. I had nothing to lose.

I didn’t know what to expect, but I did know one thing. I wasn’t the same person who had walked out of prison. I was someone who had survived, someone who had been through hell and back, and now I was ready to rebuild.

“Uhmm.. So, where do I start?” I asked quietly.

Jane smiled slightly, but there was something sharp in her gaze. “Great! You will be notified when to start and what you will be doing. You have made the right choice, Eli. This is where you take control of your life. It’s not just about being an escort, Eli. It’s about using your skills, and your strength, to get what you want. The world owes you something, and now it’s time to collect.”

I nodded, though my stomach fluttered at the thought. I wasn’t naive enough to think it would be easy, but I had no other choice.

As I left the office, I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of nervous anticipation. The city stretched out before me, full of possibility, full of danger, and full of the chance for something more.

But little did I know, as I stepped into this new life, that a man was already watching from the shadows.

As I stepped into this new life, I knew nothing would ever be the same again. The road ahead was uncertain, but I was determined to carve my own future, no matter who or what got in my way.

And in the distance, I saw the glimmer of a man who could change everything. He was coming. And I had no idea what kind of storm he would bring with him.

But I was ready. Or at least, I hoped I was.

I couldn’t shake the feeling that everything I had worked so hard to build was about to crumble beneath me, swept away by forces I couldn’t control. But I would face it all. I had to. I wasn’t the woman I once was, no longer the frightened girl who had been cast aside by the world. I was Eli. And no matter what storm that man brought, no matter how deep the web of deceit we were tangled in became, I would fight for my redemption. For my future.

And when his eyes met mine for the first time, I knew one thing for certain: nothing would ever be the same again.