Chapter 6: Blending In Until The Ghost Of The Past Appeared
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“He didn’t even know that my birthday was my birthday” I shook my head. Remembering it made me pissed.
Son of a…jeez” Selene blurted.
I stared into my wine, thinking about Lukas. His constant need for perfection. The way he made me scrub his floors, on my knees, until my hands were raw, only for him to walk through them with his filthy boots, ruining everything. His little tantrums about the smallest imperfections, demanding I fix things that were never enough. I was never enough.
And then there was Celeste. That perfect, delicate creature with her diamond ring, her flawless life, everything handed to her while I was drowning in laundry and dishes, constantly cleaning up after
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Chapter 6: Blending In Until The Ghost Of The Past Appeared
Lukas‘ messes. She had never known
what it was like to live my life. And I sure as hell wasn’t going to live hers.
“I’m tired, Selene,” I whispered. “Tired of being invisible. Tired of being nothing but a damn maid for Lukas. Tired of him–of her–of all of it.”
“I know, honey,” Selene said softly, squeezing my hand. “And I’m glad you‘ re done with them. You‘ re finally seeing it, Ayla. They never deserved you. You were never their servant. Not then. Not now.”
I was done. I was free. But I was still haunted by their voices, their presence. They were ghosts I couldn’t quite shake.
When the interviews started, I wasn’t sure I could handle it. Lukas had spent so long breaking me down, convincing me I was worthless. But as I sat across from a man who actually looked at me, really looked at me, I felt a spark inside I hadn’t felt in years.
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Chapter 6: Blending In Until The Ghost Of The Past Appeared
“Ayla Toph,” he said, his voice calm and reassuring. “It’s a damn shame someone as talented as you has been out of work for so long. Our company would be thrilled to have you on board.”
The words hit me like a slap to the face, and for a moment, I couldn’t breathe. No. one had ever said anything like that to me -not Lukas, not anyone.
I blinked, stunned. “Really?”
“Really,” he said, smiling kindly. “You‘ re an asset. Don’t doubt it.”
In that moment, I realized something–I was worth something. I wasn‘ t just a shell. I wasn‘ t just a slave to someone else’s dreams. I was finally me again.
The next few weeks passed like new beginnings should and yes, I did the awkward apartment moves. But I was ready. I was strong. I had a job. I had Selene. I was finally, finally free.
But as I set down the last box in my new
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Chapter 6: Blending In Until The Ghost Of The Past Appeared apartment, someone knocked on the door. And when I opened it, I saw a face I never thought I’d see again. That ghost.
My past had found me. And this time, I was ready to give it hell.
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