The Last Resort

The faint clash of metal echoed in my ears as a sharp beam of light pierced through my eyes, forcing them to spring open.

I found myself lying on the street, my body half-stained with my own blood and injuries.

Another clash of metal caught my attention as my eyes focused on the coins tossed at a rubber container near me by each person passing by. It was the morning hour.

A reminder of what took place last night; I managed a half-crawl and leaned against the wall, releasing a sigh. I tried to catch a proper breath as I could still feel the pain coursing through my body, which was still reeling from the trauma.

"That monster! I—I will make him pay; he will pay for all he has done to me and my family. He dared to hit me last night... damn him!" I yelled, my throat catching in my words as I found myself coughing uncontrollably. Some of the people passing by gazed at me, their eyes flickering with pity and disgust. I was laying here on the street, my clothes half-torn, my entire body covered in bruises and injuries.

It was surprising that no one had seemed to stop during my unconscious state. No one had even tried to check if I was still breathing. Instead, they tossed those pennies at my side, their eyes reeling in disgust as they continued their path. I guess this was the harsh reality of the city.

Why should they help me?

Do they even know me?

I presumed they all thought the same.

My eyes landed on the rubber container, half-filled with coins. I felt a strange pain sinking through my stomach as my hands grasped it, seeking warmth. My face fell, downcast.

Even though I hated the eyes laid on me from each passerby, I still needed to eat; I couldn't deny my rumbling stomach.

My hands outstretched as I tried to reach for the container placed in front of me, but in the blink of an eye, two kids came, grabbed it, and ran off, giggling through their footsteps. Their laughter grew fainter with every passing second.

I couldn't even let out a shout, nor could I even chase them. I lay there for a few minutes, hoping to heal, to see if it was possible for me to manage a step and stand.

I lifted my gaze, scanning the crowd as it grew thicker with people passing by and others returning. Really, what was I going to do? Yesterday, I was almost killed. I was quite sure the men were sent from the club; I was a witness, a threat to them, and so they saw it as right for my elimination. But I couldn't allow them to win.

I had to find a way to make them all pay: my uncle and him, Demonic De Santos.

If I wasn't careful or didn't find a way out soon, I doubted things would go as smoothly as I might hope.

My life was on the line, with many eager to cut the string off.

A gentle breeze blew, catching my attention as a business card landed beside me. I recognized it as the same card given to me by Adrain De Santos. He had offered me a way to seek revenge, providing protection from my uncle and the club. Yet, a feeling of unease settled in, knowing that he was the younger brother of the Demonic De Santos, who sought my life.

I doubted Adrain knew about my work at the Moonlight Club. A billionaire like him wouldn't lower himself to be associated with a courtesan, even under contractual circumstances. But did that also mean he was unaware of the incident? The fact that I witnessed his own brother killing students, and now I was being hunted by that very same man? The path ahead seemed fraught with risks.

Staying in my current situation meant certain death, mere inches away. On the other hand, accepting Adrain's proposal meant entering into a contract marriage with someone I hardly knew. I was familiar with Dominic's reputation for cruel acts and ruthless actions, but his brother's character remained a long-term secret, rumored to be even more heartless.

"What am I going to do?" I wondered, leaning against the wall and using my hand for support as I gingerly stood up. The pain in my stomach intensified, nearly causing me to collapse.

My clothes were stained with blood, a clear sign that I needed to wash up before going anywhere.

I gazed back at our old apartment, remembering the last time I saw it, realizing things had taken a dark turn. I needed someone more powerful, someone to provide protection while I tried to stay low and escape the danger.

I made my way to our old apartment through one of the broken back doors, which I hadn't found a way to fix. Entering the bathroom, I washed away the dried blood stains covering my body and changed into a dress I found.

My mother's dresses were nowhere to be found, along with some of our other belongings. It was as if someone had taken or destroyed everything, leaving our home a mere shadow of the life it once held.

With one last glance at my mother's room, I felt the memories hit me like a tidal wave. The warm hugs, comforting words, and shared laughter now seemed like they happened just seconds ago.

Stepping outside the apartment, I clutched my stomach as I limped through the streets, checking the details displayed on Adrain's business card.

I soon found myself at the front of his mansion.

Was I really doing this? Accepting a complete stranger's proposal, a contract marriage?

I took a deep breath, knowing this was no time to hesitate. Perhaps this was the only option for survival.

I tapped the doorbell placed beside the gate, and it slowly swung open. Stepping inside the grand estate, I followed the pathway through a small garden with well-trimmed hedges and blooming flowers, mocking the chaos in my life. My gaze wandered around, catching sight of a sleek, black car parked by the entrance—polished to perfection, a clear sign of wealth.

I limped up to the front door, my fingers hesitating for a second before I finally knocked. Moments later, the door creaked open, and a woman stood before me. She looked elegant, with a warm yet guarded smile, her eyes scanning me from head to toe. I couldn’t help but wonder who she was.

"Good morning," she said, her voice calm. "Can I help you?"

I swallowed, suddenly nervous. My mouth felt dry, and words failed me for a moment. I was here to see Adrian De Santos, but saying his name felt strange—like a reminder of how out of place I was in this world. Finally, I found my voice.

"I... I’m here to see Adrian," I managed, trying to keep my voice steady.

The woman’s expression softened. "Of course. Please, come in," she replied, stepping aside to let me in.

I walked inside, and my eyes roamed over the place, taking in the interior of the mansion. The walls were lined with artwork, and chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting a soft glow that made everything feel almost dreamlike. The floor beneath my feet was marble—cool and smooth—a sharp contrast to the rough streets I had just come from.

"Please, have a seat. Mr. Adrian will be down in a moment," the woman said, motioning to a plush sofa nearby.

I sat down, my fingers nervously fidgeting as I waited. The silence of the mansion was unsettling, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was stepping into something far bigger than I could handle. But I had no choice—this was my last hope, my only chance to survive and fight back.