Aurora pov

I was peacefully sleeping when suddenly cold water rushed over my face, jolting me awake. I opened my eyes to see Lucia, my stepsister, standing there. "Get up fast, this isn't a hotel, we're hungry!" Lucia shouted before storming out of my room. I wiped the water off my face, muttering curses under my breath.

Looking at my arm, I noticed the wound my stepmother had given me was finally healing. I sighed, why this fate had been chosen for me. Getting up, I headed straight to the bathroom for a quick bath. Afterward, I put on a cute dress and went downstairs, only to find my stepmom laughing at her phone while my dad read the newspaper. Lucia was nowhere to be seen. I closed my eyes and quietly made my way to the kitchen.

Suddenly, I heard, "Oh, look who's here “ . She said, I turned to see her approaching me, grabbing my hair and causing me to shout, "Leave me!" I shouted, hearing me she scoff “ bitch did you forget your place here ” she said.I looked at my father only to see him looking away, I felt a wave of shame.

She released my hair, ordering me to cook for her as she was hungry. I rushed to the kitchen, wiping away my tears as I prepared breakfast. But the tears wouldn't stop. In a moment of despair, I grabbed the nearest knife and threw it at the wall before breaking down into sobs. I missed my mom and the love she had given me. I wished I had died with her that day.

Suddenly, I hear a voice saying, "Cook quickly!" I swiftly wipe away my tears and get up. I start cracking the eggs and make scrambled eggs. After preparing everything, I place breakfast on the dining table. I stand there because I can't eat with them. I eat after they eat, not because I want to, but because they want it that way. "Now go and die," Lucia said while enjoying the food. Ignoring her, I grab my purse and leave the house.

I can't handle them for more than two hours, which is why I joined the job at the cafe. It helps me feel lighter, and I also earn money to invest in myself. Soon, I reach the cafe and enter inside, only to be greeted by Mina, the owner of the cafe, looking at me with a smile, which makes me smile too. She is the only person who understands me. I tell her everything, and she still appreciates my patience level.

I quickly hug her and she asks, "How are you, girl?" while hugging me. "Good enough to come here," I reply with a smile. She looks at me for a minute before patting my head. Frankly, she looks beautiful with her brown hair and black eyes. "So, how's your morning?" she asked me.

I look towards her and say, "Same, but today I woke up with cold water," while wearing the apron. Hearing me, she laughs and says, "Well, at least you got a bed bath." I laugh too and go towards the table to grab the plates to wash up, saying, "Pray no one gets that.”

As I finish washing the dishes, customers start arriving and the cafe's atmosphere changes. The smell of coffee fills the air, and that's when my work begins. I start taking orders and passing them on to the chefs. I really enjoy what I do. While working, I notice a muscular figure hiding behind a tree.

I can't see his face, but his body is huge with tattooed arms. He looks at me through the glass wall. Suddenly, I feel a tap on my shoulder and I jump. I turn around to see Mina. "Relax, girl. I just came to check on you," she said. I nod slowly and then glance back at where the man was standing, but he's gone. "Where did he go?" I whisper to myself.

I shake it off and continue working. Before I know it, it's already 10 pm and everyone has left, including Mina. I'm alone in the cafe. I quickly clean up and close the cafe. I check my phone and it's already 10:30 pm. "Oh no, I need to get home before they lock me out," I think to myself. I decide to take a shortcut through a dark alley to get home faster. As I walk, a flickering light bulb catches my attention, but I reassure myself, "It's okay, Aurora," and continue towards the dark alley.

As I walk through the dark alley, I can't shake the feeling of being watched. Every little sound makes me jump, and I quicken my pace. Suddenly, I hear footsteps behind me. I turn around, but there's no one there. My heart races as I try to keep calm and keep walking.

Just as I reach the end of the alley, a hand grabs my shoulder. I scream and turn around to see the same muscular figure from earlier at the cafe. He looks at me with a smirk on his face. "You shouldn't be walking alone at night, sweetheart," he says in a deep voice.

I attempt to push him away, but he's too strong. Panic starts to set in as I realise I'm in danger. "Please, leave me alone!" I yell, but he doesn't listen. He continues to force himself on me. I take a deep breath and kick him in the groin. He yells in pain. I quickly grab my purse as he starts to come towards me again. I hear a noise behind me, I turn around, and he's gone.

There's no one there. He vanished into thin air. Just a minute ago, he was pushing himself on me, and now he disappeared without a trace. I quickly run towards my home, and when I arrive, I take deep, heavy breaths. Confusion washes over me as I notice ten dark, expensive-looking cars parked outside my house. I furrow my brow nervously as I approach my house.

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