Chapter 176

The silence reigned as we stood in front of the small, worn house. Luis Miguel shifted, adjusting my bag over his shoulder. “You sure about this place?”
I glanced at the house, at the broken fence and the peeling paint, at the window with its cracked glass.
No.
I wasn’t sure about any of this. But what choice did I have? I didn’t know Mateo was poor though. He always looked well put together every time we met.
I straightened my shoulders. “Yeah.”
He studied me for a moment, his usual arrogance now gone and his expression was now quieter… more serious.
“Alright,” he finally said. “Let’s go in.”
And together, we stepped forward.
I stepped into the dimly lit building, Luis Miguel was at my side as the both of us were wary of our surroundings. The corridor smelled faintly of wood and cheap detergent, the kind used when landlords wanted to pretend they cared about upkeep.
A lone bulb blinked overhead, emitting twitching shadows along the cracked walls.
“Are you sure this is the place?” Luis Miguel asked, skepticism in his voice.
“Yes,” I answered, scanning the row of doors. Letizia’s note had been specific; third door on the left, just past the stairwell.
We reached it, and Luis Miguel placed a hand on the doorframe, his fingers drumming against the chipped paint. “Whose apartment is this anyway?”
“A packhouse soldier’s,” I replied, fishing for the key Letizia had promised would be here. “He’s away for now, so I’m staying here for a while.”
Luis Miguel gave me a dubious look. “And what if he comes home?”
“He’s the cousin of one of my father’s good maids. He’s trustworthy,” I said, brushing aside his concern.
Luis Miguel snorted. “Trustworthy? That’s what they said about the last stable boy at the Vasquez’s, and he ran off with half the gold.”
I sighed, sensing an argument brewing, but I didn’t have the energy for it. “I’ll be fine. I promise.”
Luis Miguel gave a sharp nasal breath. “I don’t like this, María José. I’m going to check on you from time to time.”
I nodded, more out of exhaustion than agreement. “Thank you.”
For a second, he paused before he extended a hand toward me. It was awkward, as if he wasn’t sure whether we were supposed to be formal or friendly. I stared at his outstretched palm before finally shaking it.
His grip was firm and mine, tentative.
He pulled away first. “Take care of yourself,” he muttered, before turning and disappearing down the hall.
I waited until the sound of his footsteps faded, then turned back to the door. Just as Letizia had instructed, I found the key tucked beneath a dusty flower pot. I unlocked the door and stepped inside.
The interior was a stark contrast to the dilapidated exterior. It wasn’t grand, but it was clean and organized, smelling of faint cologne and the faint scent of coffee.
The floors were wooden, the walls a plain beige with only a few personal touches which were; a battered bookshelf lined with old paperbacks, and a single framed photograph of Mateo with a group of men, all grinning in their uniforms.
There were only two bedrooms. One door was slightly ajar, showing glimpses of an unmade bed and a half-packed suitcase. That was Mateo’s room, no doubt.
I chose the other.
The room was small but neat; just a bed, a wardrobe, and a tiny nightstand with a flickering lamp. It wasn’t home, but it was shelter. It was mine, for now.
I sat on the bed, staring at my hands.
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The change in my life hit me all at once, settling on my shoulders like an unbearable weight.
I had nothing now.
No home. No father’s protection. No pack standing behind me. No Axel fighting for me.
For years, I had been the favored daughter, the one who walked with her head high, untouchable despite the whispers and envious glances. Now, I was an Omega, discarded, forced into hiding like some shameful secret.
My hands curled into fists. This wasn’t how it was supposed to be.
Now, I was disowned because of Rosa. I touched my face, the nagging stitches rough under my palm.
Oh, fucking Rosalie! That name alone sent a surge of burning hatred through my veins. She had ruined me.
She had turned Axel against me. She had smiled, all innocent and sweet, while she cut me down piece by piece.
I needed something… anything at all to use against her. But Rosa was perfect. She was untouchable. She had done everything right and played her cards with flawless precision.
I gritted my teeth. If only there was something I could use against her…
But I had nothing.
For now. That was if there was anything at all.
The room was dark but my thoughts were darker. Even the shadows flickering were haunting me. Everything was making my skin crawl.
Oh, I could still hear it; Letizia and Giulia’s voice.
“But Axel and Rosa’s engagement has been announced this morning!”
“They are getting married alongside Álvaro and Camilla!”
A sharp pain stabbed through my chest. Days. Axel and Rosa would be married in days.
I pressed my hands against my arms, my nails digging into my skin as if the pain might distract me from the overwhelming ache settling deep in my bones.
No. No, this couldn’t be happening.
I had spent months loving Axel. Months.
And now, he was gone. Just like that.
My body trembled as I curled into myself, my forehead resting against my knees.
My hand flew to the mark Axel had given me… his mark, the proof of what we once were or never were.
It itched. No, it burned. Like a reminder seared into my skin. Like our souls have been intertwined and there was no going back.
How could he do this? Did he not feel it? Didn’t he feel the way I’m feeling? Was the mark not affecting him?
Tears welled in my eyes as I gritted my teeth, fingers digging into my flesh as if I could somehow erase the pain by pressing harder.
I still loved him.
Despite everything, despite the betrayal, despite the way he had cast me aside like I was nothing I still loved him.
And that was the worst part.
A sob bubbled up in my throat. I bit it back, refusing to let it escape, but the moment I did, another rose up, and another, until they forced their way out.
I wept uncontrollably. Not just for Axel. Not just for what I had lost.
I wept for the girl I used to be; the one who had believed in love, in family, in loyalty. The one who had thought she would always be safe.
She was gone now. And in her place, something else was emerging. Something dark. Something vengeful.
I wiped my tears with the back of my hand, my heart still aching but my mind needed to sharpen.
I needed to be colder. Rosa had taken everything from me. I would find a way to take something from her.
Even if it was the last thing I did.