Tainted Bloodline

Chapter 1 - Rhett

“Rhett! Where in the world are you, huh?” Mira, his stepmother’s sharp voice echoed through their small house.

“Mum, I’m coming!” he called out, rushing from the backyard of the house to the kitchen with his old hand me down slippers scraping the floor.

“I’m late for work so finish this breakfast,” she snapped, pointing to unwashed dishes and the poorly cut vegetables on the kitchen counter.

Rhett paused. His hands wet from washing and hanging the clothes at the backyard. His hands and back ached from scrubbing his stepmother’s and sisters’ clothes from dawn. “Mum, I have a very important interview today,” he said hesitantly, his voice soft.

She glared at him – her expression cold. “What interview? You have been failing all the previous ones, meaning no one wants to hire the likes of you. Stop wasting your time with such nonsense and get to work!” Not waiting for his reply, she picked up her bag on the couch and stormed out.

Rhett watched her as she left, biting his lips – head down in frustration. He had earned some money tutoring other kids while studying for his degree and somehow, he graduated with a business degree. He glanced at the half-prepared breakfast, his chest feeling heavy. He couldn’t leave his chores undone even if he was already running late.

The house they were living in wasn’t much but it was home for him. Rhett’s mother had passed away when he was just a child, and a few years later, his father remarried.

Shortly after, his stepsister was born but his life took a turn and he was the mercy of his own stepmom. He was just 15 years old – forced to grow up quickly and take responsibility for himself and his omega sister, Jayne, who was just 10 year old.

Now at 25, he still carried these responsibilities. For years, his mom made him feel like a threat to the family, suppressing his alpha instinct despite being a true blood alpha. Mira would accuse him of been too rough like a beast, capable of harming them if he loses control. Her words haunted and hurt him so he suppressed his instinct till gentleness became his second nature.

Family was everything to him. Anyone in his shoes would have had ran away to find a better life but Rhett valued his family. He didn’t want to live like an orphan, even with his mum’s harsh treatment.

Rhett swiftly moved, chopped the vegetables, and stirred the pot while washing the dishes - keeping his eyes on the clock. With sweat trickling down from his head, he tried to work against the time. A few minutes later, he dished out the breakfast just as his little stepsister came out from her room, her ginger hair sticking to her face.

“Rhett, where is mummy?” Jayne asked softly, rubbing her eyes – a wrinkled blue dress in her hands.

"She left for work baby,” Rhett replied, as he buttoned his old but decent blue shirt – one of the few piece of clothing he owned since he didn’t have much money to buy new clothes for himself.

“But why?” she whined, stomping her feet. “She didn’t iron my pretty dress for the school event today. She said she would.”

“Jayne, I’m late already. I don’t think I help right now and beside you already know how to iron your clothes” Rhett said, fixing his sleeves and collar quickly.

“Help me Rhett. I have to take my bath and get ready,” Jayne whined more, swaying her little body around.

“Jayne… baby, I-”

“Please, my school date will soon be here to pick me up,” she cut him off, her voice soft and eyes big with a big pouty lips.

Rhett sighed, his shoulder slumping. He couldn’t say no to those eyes. “Where are you going all dressed up?” she asked, curiously eying the blue file peeking from his bag.

“I have to attend an interview today baby,” he said quietly, collecting the wrinkled dress from her and started working on it. Though his alpha instinct tried to rise but he closed his eyes and took deep breaths.

“All the best Rhett,” Jayne happily said to him and kissed his cheek. He didn’t reply but smiled softly as he worked quickly. He finished ironing the dress, handing it to her after carefully placing it on a hanger.

Rhett immediately grabbed his bag and rushed out of the door, not remembering he didn’t eat his breakfast. His stomach protested but he ignored it. His only focus was on the interview that he was already late to. Still he clung onto the shred of hope he had and hoped for the best.

*****

Clutching his brown leather bag, he walked briskly down the narrow and busy street. The morning sun was bathed him but he didn’t stop to enjoy it since he mind was preoccupied with the interview. He was revising the potential questions he had studied overnight so that it won’t be difficult for him.

As he walked through the modest neighborhood, he greeted a few familiar faces and was wished good luck for the interview.

“Good luck today dear!” Mr. Collins, the elderly owner of a small grocery store, called as he passed.

“Thank you, Mr. Collins,” Rhett replied with a small smile. His warm smile and encouragement warmed him but it wasn’t enough to clear his doubt.

He didn’t have enough money to enter a bus or taxi to get there on time so he had to walk. The company he applied in was not too far, but walking in the heat meant arriving sweaty. He had no choice.

As he walked, his old phone buzzed in his pocket and he opened it to see a message from his sister, Jayne.

“Just left the house. Good luck again” he read smiling at the text. From childhood, Jayne had always been the best sister. At 8 years old, she would sneak into his room to sleep because she was scared of the monster under her bed.

Sometimes, she would sneak leftover snacks from her lunchbox into his bag when she noticed he hadn’t eaten. Though she loved and encouraged him, the constant belittlement from his mum made it hard to keep going some times.

Rhett was drenched with sweat by the time he arrived at the company building but tried to straighten it out. He looked shabby and hesitated to enter but he encourage himself and walked in.

“Good morning Miss. I’m here for the interview,” he greeted, smiling a little. The receptionist barely glanced at him while telling to go sit with the rest. When turned, he saw the other candidates dressed in sharp suits and polished shoes.

He immediately sat on a chair by the corner, clutching his bag tightly – feeling completely out of place and his mom’s words echoed in his mind, “No one will hire a weakling like you because you are nothing.”

A sharply dressed woman walked out the door, calling his name.

“Mr. Ashborne?” Rhett stood up quickly, smoothing his shirt as best as he could. “Yes, that’s me,” he said, his voice steady despite his nervousness.

“Come with me.”

The sound of their footstep echoed down the hallway pristine floors. When Rhett entered the interview room, he saw four interviewers with neutral faces, sitting close to each other across a long table.

“Have a seat Mr. Ashborne.” The only female amongst them said, gesturing to the chair opposite them. He sat and he was immediately asked question – from his background to his education.

Rhett answered all as confidently as he could but as it progressed, the questions got harder and he faltered a bit.

“From your resume, you are a fresh graduate with no business experience. Now tell us why we should hire you over someone with more experience?” one of the interviewer asked, his tone sharp.

He swallowed nervously, his hands sweaty as he gripped them. He calmed himself and answered, “I may not have years of business experience yet – but what I do have is a strong willingness to learn quickly, and a genuine passion for contributing to this field. During my studies, I had to manage a household, take care of my little sister and support her education. If given the opportunity, I’ll not just learn the job – I’ll make sure I add real value while doing it.”

Rhett heart raced as the silence in the room made him scared. One of the interviewers exchanged a glance with her colleagues before leaning forward. “Thank you Rhett. We’ll be in touch with you.”

He sincerely thanked them before leaving the room.

As he stepped out the building, he let out a loud sigh. He didn’t know if he had done well but he knew he had tried and that was enough.

*****

By the time Rhett got back home, it was already evening. He quietly walked inside the house carefully, not to wake Jayne, who had likely fallen asleep while waiting for him.

He entered his room and leaned against the door, his body exhausted. His blue shirt clung to his shirt, making him irritated. Just as he sat down on his bed, his phone showed an email.

“We truly appreciate your time and interest in our company but unfortunately, you were not selected for this role. You were too humble and we need more of a strong person but we wish you success in your future endeavors.”

The words too humble played in his mind over and over. They felt like a cruel joke. For years he endured. He suppressed all his alpha instinct not to be accused by his mum but now, it seems been humble and gentle was a problem too for the world outside.

A soft knock on his door brought him out of his thought and he straightened up immediately. Jayne opened the door quietly and peeked in.

“Rhett. You’re back,” she said softly, entering with her small blanket wrapped around her small figure.

“Yeah baby, I’m back. But why have not slept yet? You have school tomorrow” he asked her, as she walked toward his bed.

“I know. I was waiting for you,” Jayne answered, climbing the bed.

“How was the interview? Did you get it?”

He smiled but it didn’t reach his eyes. “I didn’t this time Jayne but it’s okay. There will be more opportunities.”

Jayne wasn’t happy with his answer but she didn’t say anything. Instead, she brought out an apple and a sneakers chocolate she bought from her lunch money. “You didn’t have your breakfast this morning so have this tonight.”

Rhett stared at her hands and his heart skipped. He hugged her and gently stroked her hair, “Thank you, Jayne. You’re the best little sister in the whole world, you know right?”

Her cheeks tinged with pink. “You always say that to me. Thank you Rhett.”

“I meant it Jayne. You don’t have to thank me.”

He stood up, patting her head again before nudging her to go to her room but she said no and fell asleep on his bed.

He chuckled and walked to the kitchen. The sink was full of dirty dishes, and the faint smell of leftover food lingered in the air. It was midnight, he was tired and icky from all the sweat but leaving it would stink up the all place by morning. So he rolled up his sleeves and got to work, scrubbing the plates and wiping the counters.

Once he was done cleaning, he slumped into the old wooden chair by the table, resting his head in his hands. His thoughts drifted again to the how the interviews went and the reply he got.

His phone buzzed on the table and he frowned, unsure of who would call him so late. He checked and it was a very good friend from the university he graduated from.

“Hey Lydia,” Rhett answered, his hoarse.

“Hey, are you okay?” Lydia’s voice was filled with concern.

“Yeah, I’m good. You?” He lied.

“How did your interview go Rhett? You didn’t call or text me,” Lydia asked.

Rhett didn’t want Lydia to worry about him or pity him but he said it as if didn’t bother him. “It didn’t work out but it’s ok.”

“I know how much you been wanting this to happen. I’m sorry,” Lydia said, sighing.

“It ok. There’s always next time” he said quickly.

“Rhett, you don’t have to keep struggling and living like this. You deserve more than this s**t your stepmother puts you through. Come over to London and stay with I and my family, even if it’s just for a while,” Lydia begged him.

Rhett felt tempted to take the offer. This wasn’t the first time she had mentioned this to him yet he always decline. He didn’t want to trouble them or even leave his sister.

“I know but I can’t leave my stepsister. I-” he said softly.

Frustrated, Lydia interrupted him, “You can bring Jayne if you like. We’ll take care of her while you pick up your life. Besides she needs a healthy environment, not where she hears such s**t coming from her mum. She’d be happy too, seeing you happy Rhett.”

“I know all that but-”

“You can’t keep sacrificing yourself for a woman don’t appreciate or care about you,” Lydia argued.

Rhett sighed deeply, “Ok, I will think about it. Thanks.” He wouldn’t even though he said so.

After a few minutes of talking, they hung up. With a tired sigh, he stood up and head to his room. The chores, the interview rejection, and the constant harsh words from his mum – they all held onto him like a leech.

But despite all of these, he made a silent promise to try again.