Chapter 2 SCATTERED

As I grew older, that terrifying dream of mine became clearer.

I realized that it wasn't just a dream... It was a memory.

A dark, painful moment that haunted my sleep. The couple in my dream was my parents, both brutally killed.

My mother was raped and killed.

My father... was beheaded right in front of me.

I was just a baby.

I couldn't remember the face of the man who did it. But one thing was clear: he was part of the Mafia-and his greatest mistake was letting me live.

I stabbed the faceless picture on my mission wall and smirked.

He goes by the name: Grimclaw.

All my digging, spying, and killing pointed to him. He's the reason my parents died.

I took a step back proudly, staring at the wall plastered with red strings, mugshots, and newspaper clippings.

Each photo had a thick red X slashed across it.

Every one of these Mafia men was killed by me... and I won't stop until I get to Grimclaw and make him fall on his knees before me-begging me to kill him less painfully.

The door burst open.

"Oh-JESUS!" my housekeeper, Emily, screamed, dropping the folded laundry and spinning around. "Why are you always naked with a toy in your-Aria!"

Yes, the same old Emily.

She didn't visit as she promised, but I knew she said so to make me less sad.

I was able to reconnect with her and employ her as my housekeeper.

"Come on, Emily. You should be used to this by now," I replied and let my hair fall down my back-long enough to cover the view.

She shook her head, muttering prayers, and picked up the folded laundry that she had dropped out of shock.

"You need a break from using these toys."

I opened my mouth to reply, but a familiar voice interrupted.

"Mom?"

Daniel, her son, called from the hallway outside my room.

The only man I hadn't wanted to destroy. The only man I had grown to actually love-and would do anything to make him mine.

He'd grown into a tall, strong man-dark hair, intense blue eyes, perfect height.

I immediately yanked the toy out, flung it under the bed, wiped down quickly, and slipped into a soft pink dress, one that hugged my curves just right.

I styled my hair into a ponytail with a pink bow.

I had to look sweet,

soft and innocent for him.

With a deep breath, I opened the door and found him standing in the hallway, calling out for his mom.

I leaned on the doorframe.

"Hello, Dan," I said seductively.

He rolled his eyes the moment he saw me in a soft garment, acting so innocent.

"Where's my mother?"

I walked up to him slowly.

"Still pretending you don't miss me?"

He looked away, clearly annoyed.

"Don't start. You know that outfit is not fooling anyone."

I made a sad face and pouted.

"How rude."

Apparently, Daniel is the only man who was able to resist my seductive charms.

Could it be because we grew up together?

But since he is yet to have a girlfriend, I guess I still have a chance with....

Then, right behind him, a girl showed up.

My smile tried too hard to disappear, but I was a master at faking it anyway.

Soft brown hair, big eyes, small lips-she looked like a porcelain doll. She was dressed so modestly, like a saint.

Daniel looked at her with that gentle smile.

I had never once gotten from him.

Emily, at the same time, walked out of my room.

"Dan..."

"Mom, I was calling for you. This is Betty," he said. "My girlfriend."

Shattered.....

Emily glanced toward me.

She knew how much I loved her son-how deeply, how painfully this introduction was.

I had thought he, of all people, would understand me. After all, he knew the truth. He knew I never had a choice. That I was forced-trapped into being nothing more than a pet slut for Lord Vince.

But clearly, I was wrong.

Now, at least, I had a reason to stay focused on my mission and quit trying to please a man who never wanted me to begin with.

A man who only saw filth where I carried scars.

It was time to stop dreaming of a normal life... because this life was all I would ever have.

And yet...

Beneath this wounded twenty-one-year-old exterior still lived a child-a child who only wanted to be loved, like everyone else.

A child who longed for the warmth of a family... and genuine affection.

"She's so beautiful, Dan. But you could've brought her home instead of this place," Emily said softly.

I wasn't sure if she felt sorry for me... or just worried that Betty might be uncomfortable surrounded by Lord Vince's men.

"She insisted on visiting your workplace," Daniel replied stiffly.

"You are welcome once again, Betty," Emily added.

Betty gave a polite nod and then looked at me, curious, as if trying to figure me out.

Daniel quickly stepped in.

"This is Aria. She owns the house."

"Right," Betty said, extending a hand toward me. "Nice to meet you, Aria. You're so pretty."

"You too, Betty," I replied, accepting her handshake with a bright smile, even though my insides were like a storm of pain and rage.

"I can't believe you're real," she said. "Seriously... you look so much like a real-life elf."

I giggled.

"Oh, please stop already. You're making me blush."

Daniel reached out and pulled Betty back, like she might get tainted just from touching me.

"Don't get too close to her," he whispered, half-joking, half-serious. "She's crazier than you think."

"Oh, Daniel, get over it," I replied with a small laugh before turning to Betty.

"Even if it's a threesome, just let me have him for one round."

Betty gasped, her face flushing as she turned to Daniel in shock.

"Aria!" Daniel barked. "Stop it. Don't poison her-she's not like you."

His words struck harder than a slap.

He glared at me with pure disgust.

"Must you always show that you're nothing but a disgusting cum bucket?"

"Daniel!" Emily snapped, clearly horrified.

But I just smiled wider, swallowing the lump in my throat.

"Disgusting cum bucket," I repeated softly. "Is that because you saw me getting gangbanged, Daniel?"

"What?" Betty whispered, clearly overwhelmed.

Daniel frowned tightly.

"Can you please mind your words? There's a visitor here."

"Oh please, Dan. Don't be so dramatic. She's not a child. She'll be fine." I giggled again.

Emily cleared her throat, easing the tension.

"Daniel, can I see you and Betty outside for a minute?" she said, already walking toward the door.

"Sure," Daniel replied curtly-but not without glaring at me one last time.

I laughed.

Emily stepped out first. Betty followed closely behind, but just before she crossed the threshold, I leaned in and gave her a playful slap on the ass, winking. "Soft. Lucky!"

"Stop it, Aria..." Daniel snapped.

"What?" I shrugged, teasing. "I'm not going to steal your girl."

He hated it when I acted like that. And maybe that's why I did it. Because why pretend to be decent when he had already chosen to see me as nothing but filth?

I watched him open the door for Betty, watched him glare at me one more time before slamming it shut behind them.

My first and only love-the only man I had ever let see the real me-saw me as nothing more than a disgusting cum bucket.

And he was right.

Because that's what I had become.