5

Emily, who woke up from her daydream, immediately walked toward the kitchen, her heart in turmoil. She wanted to run far from this house, from the dark memories that overshadowed every corner of this place. However, her body seemed to be held back, as if imprisoned by the walls that had witnessed her suffering. Emily sat down, sobbing, unable to forget the deep wounds that had been etched into her life.

Her mind was spinning with questions. Why were Zack and his friends back? How could they seem fine after all these years? All this time, Emily had hoped that their being sent abroad was a form of punishment, but she knew in her heart that it was just a vacation for them. For this family, their return was a long-awaited moment, full of longing and happiness. But for Emily, this was a nightmare that came back to life, reminding her of her late-night prayers full of curses, hoping that they would all disappear into a cruel fate.

However, God seemed to turn a deaf ear to her prayers. Her suffering continued, like a never-ending punishment.

“Emily! What are you doing there? Hurry to the kitchen and take the plates to the banquet room!” the omega head shouted from behind the door. Her voice was loud and full of reprimand, cutting Emily off from her reverie. She lowered her head and held back her growing fear.

“S-sorry, I’ll be right back in the kitchen,” Emily whispered, her voice full of tremors. Nothing was good for her in this house. They all treated her with indifference, shouting, hitting, and ordering her around without caring about her broken heart.

For a moment, it crossed Emily's mind to end it all. However, the image of her parents, who had died with sad eyes, crossed her mind, as if telling her to hold on. Even though the world felt unfriendly, she chose to hold on to their memory, despite the pain that had accumulated over the years. Although it was very painful, Emily always asked why they hadn't taken her with them at that time. Why were they so cruel to leave her alone in a world that was so harsh and unfriendly to her?

With faltering steps, Emily walked to the kitchen, staring at the pile of plates she was ready to take. Her hands were shaking, and her chest was tight. However, the image of Zack and his friends' faces haunted her again. They were now adults but still carried the same wounds for Emily, making her heart beat with fear.

She immediately looked for a mask in the living room, hoping to cover her face. She knew that the passing of time had changed many things, but Emily didn't want them to recognize her. She didn't want to face the smirks or the stares that brought back those bitter memories.

After putting on her mask, Emily took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down before carrying the plates to the banquet hall. Although her body stood straight, in her heart, she was crying, hoping for peace behind all the pain she was now swallowing alone.

In the banquet hall, all the guests had arrived, creating a cheerful atmosphere. Connie, Jenny, and Lucy had also arrived in luxurious and charming dresses. They were looking for Zack and the others who had not yet shown their faces.

Emily entered the banquet hall with the other omegas, her clothes having changed into different uniforms. She tried to endure the pain in her legs as she arranged the plates on the dining table.

The guests began to fill the large hall, attending the special welcoming party invitation for Zack and his friends. The sparkling lights decorated the room, while the sound of conversation mixed with the strains of music. The atmosphere heated up when an emcee appeared on stage, smiling broadly and preparing to welcome their long-awaited arrival.

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen! How are you all?" the emcee shouted excitedly, drawing cheers from the guests. "You must be looking forward to the arrival of our four charming alphas tonight, right?"

The cheers of the girls filled the room. They whispered enthusiastically, pointing at each other and towards the stage, eagerly awaiting their sensational appearance.

"Alright," continued the host, smiling knowingly, “let's not waste any more time; let's welcome our four handsome and charming star alphas!"

The cheers grew louder as the first name was called. "Stefan Moore!”

The spotlights followed Stefan's steps, a man with neat black hair, piercing brown eyes, and glowing white skin beneath his black suit and blue shirt. His sweet smile was etched as he waved, and applause greeted him enthusiastically.

"Freddy Byron!"

The cheers were even louder as Freddy walked confidently. His brown hair was slightly messy, contrasting with his blue eyes that radiated alluring charm. He wore a white striped shirt without a tie, adding a casual impression that made several girls exclaim in delight when he gave a playful wink.

“Marko Leht!”

The next spotlight fell on a figure with shoulder-length, wavy golden-brown hair. Marko walked calmly, a mysterious aura radiating from his deep gaze. With graceful movements, he tossed his hair, inviting gasps of awe from several girls in the front row.

“And lastly, Zack Snyder!”

The atmosphere reached its peak when Zack appeared. His black-brown hair looked neat, shimmering in the light, while his greenish-brown eyes stared straight ahead with a cold gaze. His almost pale skin added contrast, and every step he took was full of authority. His sharp gaze swept across the room, making several girls almost lose their balance, their faces flushed red, unable to hold back their gasps of admiration.

Cheers and applause erupted in the room. These four alphas, figures who not only had good looks but also captivating auras, were now the center of everyone’s attention, making the night even more special and unforgettable.

Emily tried to ignore her surroundings, focusing on the pile of plates in her hands, but suddenly an uncomfortable feeling hit her. It was as if hot coals were burning her back, lurking relentlessly. Seconds passed, but the feeling grew sharper until she couldn't stand it anymore. Carefully and hesitantly, Emily turned her head slowly. Her heart beat faster when her gaze met four pairs of sharp eyes. Zack and the other three men stared at her intently, sending out an aura that made Emily's body tremble and her breath hitch.