Chapter 28: Shattered Reflections
Chapter 28: Shattered Reflections
"Don't wander off. I’ll meet you in an hour," Alexander said as he handed Vee his sleek black card, his tone clipped. His icy-blue eyes flicked to Dysis briefly, softening for a fraction of a second. "Get what you need. Vee, stay with her."
Dysis hesitated, the weight of his gaze making her stomach churn. “Are you not coming with us?”
“I have something to take care of,” he replied, his voice firm. Without waiting for her response, he turned and strode toward the parking lot, his tailored coat billowing behind him.
“Come on,” Vee said, her tone softening as she tugged Dysis toward the glass doors of the luxury mall. “Let’s get those shoes sorted out.”
The mall was bustling, its opulent atmosphere overwhelming. Chandeliers sparkled above them, and polished marble floors reflected the designer stores on every corner. Dysis felt out of place in her worn sneakers and simple dress, but Vee’s confident stride gave her the courage to follow.
\---
Inside a boutique with walls lined in expensive leather goods, Dysis trailed behind Vee as the bodyguard scanned the displays.
“These look comfortable,” Vee said, pointing to a pair of flats that looked absurdly expensive. “Try them on.”
Dysis hesitated, biting her lip. “Maybe something less..”
Dysis hesitated. “Maybe we should look somewhere else. These are..”
“…completely out of your league,” a voice interjected, dripping with condescension.
Dysis turned, her stomach dropping as she faced the lady. The model stood a few feet away, wearing a smug smile and a figure-hugging red dress that screamed wealth. Her polished appearance seemed designed to make anyone around her feel inadequate.
“Well, well, isn’t this unexpected?”
The sharp voice sliced through the air, “Dysis, right?” Sofie tilted her head, her tone sugary sweet with an edge sharp enough to draw blood. “I thought Alexander preferred refined company. But then again…” She let her gaze travel down Dysis’s outfit. “You must be his newest… acquisition.”
“You know, it’s almost funny seeing you here. A little…out of your league, don’t you think?”
Dysis didn’t respond, her hands clenching at her sides.
Sofie’s smirk widened. “I suppose Alexander felt sorry for you. It’s what he does, you know? throws scraps at people who amuse him. Though, let’s be honest…” Her voice dropped, loud enough for nearby customers and store clerks to hear. “…you’re just a slave he bought, aren’t you. Someone to play with…. To just satisfy his lust?”
Vee stepped forward, her protective stance unmistakable. “Miss Stone, I don’t think this is the time or place for..”
Sofie cut her off with a laugh. “And who are you to speak? A servant defending another servant? That’s rich.”
The boutique’s staff paused in their tasks, clearly intrigued by the brewing drama. Dysis flushed under their stares, the humiliation clawing at her throat.
“I don’t know what you’re trying to imply,” Dysis said quietly, summoning what little strength she had.
“Oh, I think you do,” Sofie said, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper that everyone could still hear. “You’re just a poor little girl Alexander bought to amuse himself. Nothing more. And don’t think for a second you’re anything special to him. Men like Alexander… they don’t love. They own.”
A store manager approached hesitantly, her gaze flickering between Sofie and Dysis, unsure whether to intervene. “Is… everything all right here?” she asked, her tone careful but wary.
Sofie turned on her most saccharine smile, radiating charm that only deepened the condescension in her voice. “Oh, everything’s fine. I was just helping her out,” she said, gesturing to Dysis with a delicate wave of her hand, “by pointing her to something more… realistic for her. These styles might be a little out of her budget. Or perhaps she wants to spend the money of a man who clearly doesn’t approve of her.”
The manager’s eyes widened slightly, recognition lighting up her face. She knew exactly who Sofie Stone was, one of Ravenhold City’s most celebrated models and an important client. Losing someone like Sofie over a stranger wasn’t an option. Her gaze drifted to Dysis, who stood frozen in silent discomfort.
“I’m terribly sorry, ma’am,” the manager said, directing her words to Dysis now, her tone polite but tinged with hesitation. “Perhaps you’d feel more comfortable shopping in a different area? We have a lovely sister store downstairs that’s… a bit more affordable.”
The words struck like a blow, heavy with implication. The pity in the manager’s eyes only made it worse, as though she were confirming everything Sofie had said without needing to say it outright.
“See? Even they agree. You don’t belong here.”
The words hit Dysis like a slap, but before she could respond, Vee stepped in again. “That’s enough. You don’t get to speak to her like that.”
Sofie’s expression turned icy, and without warning, she raised her hand and struck Vee across the face. The sound echoed in the quiet boutique.
Gasps rippled through the room as Vee’s head snapped to the side, but she didn’t waver. “You shouldn’t have done that,” Vee said calmly, her hand twitching at her side, though she made no move to retaliate.
Sofie smirked. “Know your place, little servant.” She turned her attention back to Dysis, who stood frozen in place. “You’re pathetic. Do yourself a favor and disappear before Alexander gets bored of you. Trust me, it won’t take long.”
Dysis's hands tightened at her sides, yet the impact of Sofie's words and the increasing gaze from the staff and patrons rendered her immobilized.
Tears threatened to spill from her eyes, but she would not let herself cry in front of Sofie. Silent, she pivoted and exited the store, her head held aloft in spite of the heavy burden in her heart. Vee trailed just behind, her silence laden with unexpressed fury. Vee is closely trailing behind.
\---
The wait for Alexander felt like an eternity. Dysis sat on a bench outside the mall, clutching her bag tightly and avoiding the curious stares of passersby. Vee stood a few steps away, her silence heavy with unspoken apologies.
Finally, Alexander’s sleek black car pulled up to the curb. He stepped out, his icy-blue eyes scanning her immediately. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” Dysis said quickly, rising to her feet. She couldn’t meet his gaze, her voice barely audible. “Can we just go? I didn’t find anything I liked.”
Alexander’s eyes narrowed, his expression unreadable as he looked at her and then at Vee. Without a word, he opened the passenger door and gestured for her to get in.
\---
Back at the mansion, Dysis avoided Alexander entirely. She went straight to her room, locking the door behind her. The echo of Sofie’s words replayed in her mind, each one chipping away at her resolve.
Downstairs, Alexander cornered Vee in the security room. His expression was cold, his voice low and dangerous. “What happened?”
Vee hesitated, her hand brushing the faint mark on her cheek. “She ran into Sofie. Things got… ugly.”
Alexander’s eyes narrowed. “Details.”
“She called Dysis a slave. Humiliated her in front of the staff and customers. Told her she didn’t belong. I stepped in, but Sofie slapped me. Dysis didn’t buy anything because she was too embarrassed.”
Alexander’s jaw tightened, his fingers curling into fists. “And you didn’t tell me immediately because?”
“She asked me not to,” Vee admitted. “She didn’t want you involved.”
Alexander’s gaze grew colder, his voice a quiet growl. “She doesn’t get to decide that.”
Without another word, he left the room, his steps purposeful and unyielding.
Back in his office, Alexander poured himself a glass of whiskey, the burn of the liquor doing little to temper the fury simmering beneath his skin. Sofie had crossed a line, and for that, she would pay.
But before he could devise a plan, his phone buzzed on the desk.
The message was short, and it made his blood run cold.
“We found Thomas salmon.. he’s dead”
Alexander’s grip tightened on the phone, his mind racing. The storm he’d tried to keep at bay was finally here.