Chapter 1: The Bell Rings

“Lazy! Useless!” Sercei’s words cut through the silence like knives. I tried not to flinch as I scrubbed the already spotless kitchen counter. My hands trembled as I worked, but I kept my head down. It was easier that way—less dangerous.

The air inside the house was heavy, suffocating. It always was, but today, the weight on my chest felt more physical than usual. Maybe it was because I had forgotten to take my heart pills this morning, or maybe it was because Sercei’s shrill voice had already drilled deep holes into my skull before the clock even struck ten.

“You think you can just sit here all day and do nothing?” Sercei’s voice rose, each word laced with anger. “Do you even care that Sophia is lying there, suffering, because of you?”

My breath caught. The accusation wasn’t new, but it still hit like a blow to the chest. Sophia, her niece, had been sick for months now. Treatments were expensive, far beyond what Sercei could afford. And according to her, it was all my fault. The money spent on my medication, my hospital visits—it was a drain, a curse I had brought into this house.

“I didn’t ask for this,” I murmured, my voice barely audible. I wasn’t sure if I meant my heart condition or my miserable existence under her roof.

“What did you say?” Her footsteps were fast and sharp, her shadow falling over me before I had a chance to escape.

I straightened, bracing myself. “I—”

“You didn’t ask for this?” She laughed, a sound so sharp it felt like glass against my skin. “You think I asked for you? To be stuck with some pathetic little charity case who can’t even carry her weight?”

Her hand came down on the counter beside me, and I jumped, my weak heart racing painfully. I turned away, my eyes darting to the clock on the wall. Less than an hour before I had to get ready for whatever this mysterious “business meeting” was. Whatever Sercei had planned, it wouldn’t end well for me. It never did.

“I said, look at me!” Sercei grabbed my chin, forcing my face upward. Her nails bit into my skin. “You owe me, Jane. Don’t you forget that. Sophia could’ve had everything she needed if it weren’t for your endless bills. The least you can do is stop sulking and act grateful!”

I swallowed hard, the sour taste of fear rising in my throat. “I’m sorry,” I whispered. It wasn’t an apology—I’d stopped meaning those words years ago—but it was the only thing that kept her from hitting me.

“Sorry doesn’t cut it.” She released me with a shove. “Now, you have fifteen minutes to go upstairs, clean yourself up, and look presentable. If you ruin this deal for me, so help me, Jane—”

She didn’t finish the threat, but she didn’t need to. I already knew what she was capable of.

“What deal?” I asked, the words slipping out before I could stop them.

Her eyes narrowed, a cruel smile curving her lips. “That’s none of your concern. You just do as you’re told.”

I wanted to push back, to demand answers, but my heart was already beating fast, each pulse a painful reminder of my weakness. Fighting her wasn’t worth it. It never was.

As I turned to leave, her voice stopped me. “And don’t think about trying anything stupid. You’ll regret it.”

The knot in my stomach tightened as I climbed the stairs to my tiny bedroom. I closed the door behind me and leaned against it, taking a moment to steady my breathing. My chest felt tight, my hands clammy.

What was this “meeting” she kept talking about? Why the sudden urgency? And why did it feel like something fishy is about to happen?

I crossed the room to the cracked mirror hanging above my dresser. My reflection stared back at me: pale skin, dark circles under tired eyes, and a thin frame that looked like it might blow away under the pressure of a strong wind. I looked as fragile as I felt, and no amount of brushing my hair or smoothing my dress would change that.

Still, I tried. I pulled my hair back, covering the bruises on my neck with the collar of the dress Sercei had left out for me. It was simple, plain, but it felt like a costume. Like I was being dressed for a role I didn’t understand.

Fifteen minutes later, I was back downstairs, standing in the living room while Sercei circled me like a predator sizing up its prey.

“Better,” she muttered, though her tone suggested she still wasn’t impressed. “Try not to embarrass me.”

I bit back the urge to ask how I was supposed to embarrass her when I didn’t even know what this was about. Instead, I kept my mouth shut and stared at the floor, waiting for whatever came next.

Her footsteps paused in front of me. “Look at me.”

I did as I was told, my heart pounding in my chest.

“If this goes well,” she said, her voice low and menacing, “we might finally get what we need. Sophia can get better. And you... you can stop being such a burden.”

Something about the way she said it sent a chill down my spine. “What do you mean?”

Her hand lashed out, striking my cheek before I could react. The sting of the slap was nothing compared to the humiliation. Tears burned at the corners of my eyes, but I refused to let them fall.

“You don’t get to ask questions,” she snapped. “You just do what I say.”

The sound of the doorbell echoed through the house. Sercei froze, her hand still raised, her eyes narrowing.

“Well,” she said, her lips curling into a cold smile, “it’s showtime.”

My stomach twisted as she turned toward the door. I could feel the fear rising in my chest, suffocating me. Something was wrong—very wrong—but I didn’t know what. All I knew was that whatever lay on the other side of that door would change my life forever.

Sercei turned back to me, her expression hard. “Don’t screw this up, Jane.”

The bell rang again, louder this time, and my heart skipped a beat. Somewhere deep inside, I knew there was no turning back.

And I wasn’t sure I’d survive it.