Marked by Destiny

POV Selene Veyra. It all happened so fast... I just... felt someone bump into me hard and my bracelet fall to the ground... I just heard the sound. My bracelet was on the ground... some stones were there... damn, it was broken... “Didn't you see me? You weirdo,” a girl sneered. I looked at her; the girl was staring at me intently, with that mischievous smile on her lips. I knew her, oh, very well... She always did that to me, trying to torment me every day... it was nothing new. I could have answered back. I could have shoved her too. I could have started another argument that, in the end, would leave me punished, like always. But I just bent down in silence. I carefully gathered the broken pieces of the bracelet. The rustic details, a few white stones that sat in the center of the bracelet… all of that was the only thing I still had from my mother. The only familiar item I had. I tried not to answer her. I got up and then turned my back on her, walking away. I walked toward the orphanage hallway, which was thankfully empty, as the rest of the staff was either having lunch or in their rooms. I went to a worn-out sofa and sat down, looked at the stones and other items on the bracelet, and placed it on my lap. “Why did this happen?” I muttered, feeling my heart tighten. I started to put the pieces on the bracelet and concentrated on fitting the clasp... But I couldn't do it. My fingers were shaking a little. The more I tried, the more they trembled. This bracelet is all I have... I took a deep breath. A heavy sadness tightened my chest; I felt lost, alone... everything was going wrong for me. For a moment... I thought of my parents. My mother's laughter, the way she sang cheerful children's songs, the food she made that I loved so much. How I loved it when my father took me out for walks; he was always there for me. He was always by my side. And then, I thought about the day everything ended. I was twelve. That accident that haunted my dreams. No explanation. No body. No goodbye. I would give anything to go back in time. To hug them one more time. To tell them I loved them both. To complain less, to enjoy more. But there I was. At seventeen, locked in that place that felt more like a punishment, holding a broken bracelet as if it were my last piece of life. I felt tears burn in my eyes. One of them almost slipped out, but I shook my head, breathing deeply. "No. I’m not going to cry over this…" I whispered, even knowing it wasn’t just about this. I don’t have anyone else in this world. Just this bracelet. Just this. And even this breaks. Things like this always happen to me… I blinked several times, trying to push the tears away, and focused again on the cold metal between my fingers. When I finally thought I was almost managing to fit the clasp back on, I heard footsteps coming down the hallway. Firm. Quick. I straightened my back, quickly hiding the wet shine in my eyes. I lifted my gaze. One of the women in charge of the orphanage appeared in the doorway of the hall. Rigid shoulders, the same closed expression as always. Her voice came out dry, emotionless: "Selene Veyra." "Yes?" I answered, in a thin voice. She stared at me for a second, as if she were evaluating me. I don’t think she ever liked me. "You have a visitor." I blinked, confused. "Me… a visitor?" The word sounded strange in my mouth. No one ever came to see me. Never. "Yes." She crossed her arms. "Looks like an uncle of yours, your father’s brother, wants to see you. To meet you." For a moment, I thought I’d heard wrong. "An… uncle?" I repeated, feeling a strange chill. “Did you say my father's brother?” I didn't even know my father had a brother. In five years, no one had ever mentioned it. This was very strange... almost unreal. “Is he really my uncle, seriously?” I asked, trying not to sound crazy... I was actually confused; I didn't want to seem hopeful. “We spent a long time checking the documents,” she replied impatiently. “Everything is fine. He is your uncle. Come with me.” I just nodded and tried to keep up with her. As I followed her, my heart was racing, my thoughts were racing. EVERYTHING was racing. If I really have an uncle, why is he only showing up now? Why did he wait five years? It was so strange... it was driving me crazy. My heart was pounding. I really wanted to believe that I was no longer alone. Another part of me said that it didn't make sense... that I couldn't have a happy life. We stopped in front of the office. The woman turned the doorknob, took a step back, and gestured for me to go in. I took a deep breath, squeezed the pieces of the bracelet in my hand, and then... I went in. As soon as I took a few steps, I held my breath for a few seconds... I looked at the person near the desk, and they turned to me. I started breathing again... The man was tall, with broad shoulders, dressed in dark clothes, and he looked at me with a firm and intense gaze. I didn't quite understand why he was looking at me like that. Then... his mouth opened... “Selene...” he said my name slowly, still watching me. My body froze, my voice wouldn't come out. Only my mind was agitated. This can't be real. I don't have an uncle. I never had one. How did he appear now? It doesn't make any sense. I took a deep breath and said. “Are you?” My voice came out low and hoarse. He took a step forward, a short smile appeared. "I’m Ronan Draven." There was a brief, heavy silence. "Your father’s brother." My heart skipped a beat. Before I could react, he finished, firmly: "And I came to take you with me, Selene." He drew in a breath. "I’m going to adopt you."