Torn Between The Alpha and The Demon lord

Chapter 2

Ava's Pov:

By the time I left the shop it was 8:20 PM. The cold winter wind bit at my cheeks.The streets were filled with couples walking hand in hand wrapped in each other’s warmth. I walked alone smiling a little… then sighing quietly when I realized how empty my hands felt.

My phone buzzed.

Liam.

“Sorry baby… I might not be able to meet tomorrow. Another office meeting.I’m busy.Don’t be mad sweetheart.I’ll see you soon when I’m free.”

Free.

When was he ever free?

I stared at the message then turned off my phone. He always had excuses.He never made time for me. Sometimes it felt like he was only my boyfriend in name.

“I’m home…” I muttered as I stepped inside my house.

It didn’t matter.

Julia,my stepmother never cared whether I came home or stayed out forever.After Mom died, Dad married her. They had a daughter.A perfect little family-except for me.

The moment I entered Julia muttered loud enough for me to hear,

“It would’ve been better if she didn’t come home at all.”

I heard it. But what was the point of replying?

I just climbed the stairs quietly and went to my room.

Closing the door behind me felt like shutting out the world. I lay on my bed and reached for the photo of my mom that I kept by my pillow.When I looked at her face the tears came on their own.

Ever since she died… everything good left with her.

Family.

Love.

People.

Nothing stayed. Nothing lasted.

Nothing was mine.

Dad believed every lie Julia told him. He scolded me…sometimes hit me.I learned to stay quiet.To keep my hurt inside. I didn’t have anywhere else to go so I buried myself in work anything to stop my mind from thinking too much.

Holding the picture close I cried until my eyes burned.

Somewhere between the loneliness and the tears… I finally fell asleep.

Morning 7:30 A.M.

I left the house without having breakfast.As usual, I didn’t want another argument with my stepmother so early in the morning.It was easier to walk out than to fight. It always was.

Every day I stop at the same small shop. A sandwich.One strawberry milk. That’s my routine.I sat outside the shop and started eating, trying to calm my restless mind. While I was drinking my milk I noticed a small piece of paper lying on the table beside me.

It read:

“When the first snowfall of the year happens if you make a wish from your heart it comes true.”

A weak smile touched my lips.

“Yeah… as if something like that would ever come true for me,”I whispered bitterly.“Nothing good ever happens in my life.This won’t either.”

I placed the paper aside and finished my breakfast.Keeping myself busy is the only way I survive. That’s why I work at two shops.Today I was free from one of them so I wore the ridiculous teddy costume and stood outside handing out balloons to couples and children.

A little girl came running toward me.I gave her a balloon, and she laughed happily pulling her parents to take pictures with me.For a moment her happiness made me forget my own sadness.

Then I saw him.

My whole body froze.

My heart stopped.

I recognized him in a single second.

“Liam…”The name slipped from my lips without my permission.

Right in front of me he was smiling.Laughing. Living.With her. His girlfriend.They posed for pictures, and then he kissed her.Right there. As if I meant nothing.As if my love had never existed.

They laughed together and walked away.

And I stood there,powerless trapped inside that stupid teddy costume.I couldn’t scream. I couldn’t stop him.I couldn’t even cry properly.

The moment they disappeared from my sight I ran.

I tore off the teddy head and collapsed on the side of the road.My legs gave up.My heart shattered. The tears came rushing down before I could stop them. I covered my face with both hands and cried like a broken child.

“God…why does this always happen to me?”I sobbed.“Don’t I deserve even a little bit of happiness?”

I lifted my tear-filled eyes toward the sky.