Ashes of Betrayal

It's been one hell of a month since I finally kicked that asshole of an ex to the curb. Sergei not only beat me up but also cheated on me with some stripper, all while snorting coke off another stripper's breast. That was the final straw. I couldn't stand another minute with him. I tore off the necklace he gave me, claiming it was some twisted symbol of ownership. He always calls it a branding necklace. I didn't give a damn what it meant to him. I ripped it off and hurled it right into his smug face. That son of a b***h doesn't deserve an ounce of my time or energy. I refuse to tolerate a man who thinks it's okay to beat on me and cheat behind my back. I'm well aware he's got his lackeys keeping tabs on me, so I've been laying low, out of the spotlight. Thankfully, my friend Olga has been staying with me ever since my parents jetted off for work one month ago. I told them I ended things with Sergei, but I couldn't bring myself to spill all the gruesome details. If they knew the extent of his abuse, they'd be ready to tear him apart. But I don't want any of that. I just want to leave him and all the hell he brought into my life firmly in the rearview mirror. It's time for me to move on and reclaim my life. As I've been laying low, attending university classes online and spending more time at my parents' house in St. Petersburg, Russia, I've found myself grappling with boredom. To pass the time, I've taken to tidying up around the house. Little did I know that in doing so, I would stumble upon a revelation so chilling it would shake me to my core: my own family, my parents, and even my brother are embroiled in something dark and sinister. They're assassins. Suddenly, everything started to make sense—their mysterious disappearances, our dual residences spanning across America and Russia. It all fell into place like pieces of a puzzle. I couldn't believe my eyes as I uncovered their hidden arsenal of guns and stumbled upon meticulously organized files detailing their targets and missions. The shock of this discovery left me reeling, questioning everything I thought I knew about my family. How could they be involved in something like this? And what does this mean for me now that I've stumbled upon their deadly secret? Utterly shocked and bewildered doesn't even begin to describe how I feel. How in the ever-loving f**k could they keep such a monumental secret from me? Discovering that my brother Charles and my own parents are affiliated with an organization called the "The Order" has shattered any sense of trust I had in them. With their return imminent, I find myself grappling with a whirlwind of emotions. Anger, confusion, betrayal—they all swirl together in a tumultuous storm within me. I've hidden the guns I found and put them in my room, unsure of what to do with this damning evidence. For now, I'll play along, pretending I know nothing until I can confront them face-to-face. But one burning question consumes my thoughts: why? Why did they choose to keep me in the dark about something so significant? Do they not trust me? The hurt runs deep, knowing they withheld such vital information from me. I need answers. I need to understand their motives, their reasons for betraying my trust in such a profound way. This situation is utterly incomprehensible. As I finished up my homework, the sound of a knock at the door broke the quiet of my room. Peering through the window, relief washed over me as I saw Olga standing on the other side. With her short, brunette bob framing her face, and those unmistakable big blue eyes sparkling with mischief, she was a sight for sore eyes. Olga and I had been friends since childhood, despite her reputation for being a b***h. But I knew better; she just spoke her mind, no filter attached. I can’t keep a secret from this girl. She knows how to read me like a book. She is also the only person I have told about my family’s secret. Opening the door to let her in, I was greeted with her usual candor. "Lilian, it's time for you to get your blonde ass out of the house," she declared, her tone both playful and insistent. "It's just depressing with you in here, and you're starting to depress me. We are going out tonight, and do not argue with me. You are 23 years old not 83 years old, you need to get your ass out of this house. We are going to find you a sexy man who will make you forget all about Sergei." I couldn't help but smile at her straightforwardness, grateful for her unwavering determination to pull me out of my slump. Olga's enthusiasm was infectious as she practically dragged me into my bedroom, insisting it was time for a makeover. "Sit down, Lilian, it's time for me to style you," she commanded with a mischievous glint in her eye. "I'm going to get these men crawling at your feet." Taking a seat in front of the mirror, I couldn't help but acknowledge the truth in her words. I did look like a mess. My blonde hair hung limp and lifeless around my face, and my hazel eyes seemed dull without a hint of makeup. It had been far too long since I'd indulged in any form of self-care. But Olga wasn't about to let me wallow in self-pity. She returned from my closet with a determination that matched her reputation. "Lilian, I found the perfect dress for you," she declared, holding up a short red number that had been buried at the back of my wardrobe for ages. "This will make your breasts pop, and the guys won't be able to resist you." I hesitated for a moment, unsure if I was ready to step out in such a bold outfit. But deep down, I knew she was right. I needed to break free from my rut, and tonight was as good a night as any. With a sigh, I changed into the red dress while Olga set to work on my makeup. She expertly applied a smokey eye, accentuating the hues of my hazel eyes, before adding a bright red lipstick to match the dress. As she worked her magic, styling my hair into soft waves, I couldn't help but marvel at her skill. By the time she was finished, I hardly recognized myself in the mirror. Thanks to Olga's touch, I had gone from feeling like s**t to feeling undeniably beautiful. Olga's excitement was noticeable as she twirled me around, her energy contagious. "Lilian, I am so excited! We are both going to find some fine men tonight!" she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. As we continued to chat, Olga couldn't help but inquire about my parents' whereabouts. "When are your parents going to be back from 'killing people'? And when is that sexy brother of yours coming back to town?" she asked, a mischievous grin playing on her lips. I couldn't help but chuckle at her curiosity. "My parents said their work is taking longer than expected, and as for my brother, he's always wrapped up in his work. Knowing him, he's probably knee-deep in some dangerous mission," I replied with a hint of amusement. "But when they do get back in town, I'm going to have some serious words with them. I'm still fuming that they kept this from me." Olga nodded in understanding, her expression sympathetic. "Yes, girl, I would be mad too," she agreed, her loyalty unwavering as always.