A place to begin again
1039 Words
Chapter 4
A heavy stillness settled over the room.
Every pair of eyes turned toward Ariana as though she had sprouted horns overnight.
Everyone's...
...except his.
Dominic stood with one hand tucked into his pocket, his expression unreadable. Not a flicker of surprise crossed his handsome face. His gaze moved from the sleeping child nestled peacefully against Ariana's shoulder to the lady who had spoken.
"What do you mean by that?" His voice was calm, but the air in the room instantly turned cold.
The young Lady swallowed before forcing out her words.
"How could Young Master Leo suddenly fall asleep in her arms? She... she must have rubbed some strange substance on herself before coming here."
No one dared breathe.
Dominic's eyes narrowed ever so slightly.
"So this strange substance also made my son climb into her arms on his own?"
"I... yes. Exactly."
The other ladies lowered their heads, embarrassed on her behalf.
Dominic let out a quiet scoff.
"Do you hear yourself?"
Her lips parted, but no words came.
"Get out."
His tone wasn't loud.
It didn't need to be.
The young Lady flinched before hurriedly leaving the room, her footsteps echoing across the marble floor.
The other ladies quickly followed.
Dominic lifted his eyes.
"I said all of you."
The remaining staff immediately bowed and rushed out, closing the doors behind them.
Silence settled once more.
Ariana shifted awkwardly, Leo's tiny fingers still clutching her shirt as he slept soundly against her.
Dominic watched his son for several long seconds.
"He hasn't slept peacefully in days."
His voice was quieter this time.
Ariana blinked.
"Did you... take him to a doctor? Maybe he's sick."
"I did."
His answer was immediate.
"Every examination came back normal."
His gaze remained on Leo.
"But every night he cried until dawn."
Ariana instinctively brushed a few strands of hair away from Leo's forehead.
The little boy only sighed softly and burrowed closer to her.
Dominic noticed.
After another long silence, he spoke.
"Since my son trusts you, I'll give you a chance. From today onward, you're his personal caregiver.”
His sharp eyes finally met hers.
"...you're hired."
Ariana's heart skipped. Relief rushed through her so suddenly that her eyes almost stung with tears. She had finally found a place to start over.
"I... thank you, sir."
She lowered her head.
"Don't thank me."
His voice regained its usual authority.
"Whether you remain here depends entirely on how well you do your job."
Without looking away from her, he called,
"Mr. Raven."
A man in his early fifties stepped forward from the hallway, his gray hair neatly combed and his posture perfectly straight.
"Yes, Chairman."
"Show Miss Ariana to her room. Explain her duties and discuss her salary."
"At once."
Dominic adjusted the cuff of his tailored suit before turning away.
Within moments, his footsteps disappeared down the corridor.
---
"This way, Miss Ariana."
Mr. Raven led her through the mansion.
The polished wooden floors reflected the crystal chandeliers overhead, while priceless paintings lined the walls. Every corner of the estate radiated quiet luxury.
He stopped before two neighboring doors.
"Young Master's room."
Then he pointed to the next one.
"Yours."
Ariana glanced farther down the hallway.
"And that room?"
"The Chairman's."
The answer came almost instantly.
Mr. Raven continued walking.
"The Chairman dislikes laziness."
His expression remained serious.
"If he believes someone isn't doing their job properly, he dismisses them immediately."
Ariana nodded silently.
"And one more thing."
Mr. Raven lowered his voice.
"When passing his room, keep your footsteps light."
"Chairman Dominic dislikes unnecessary noise."
Ariana couldn't help smiling a little.
"So... the Chairman's name is Dominic."
She repeated it quietly in her mind.
It suited him.
She looked down at the sleeping little boy.
"And what's his name?"
"Leo."
Mr. Raven's stern face softened just a little.
"Chairman Dominic's only son."
They stopped in front of her room.
"If you need anything, ask one of the servants."
With a respectful nod, he left.
---
Ariana stepped inside.
She froze.
The bedroom was almost as large as the apartment she had rented before.
Sunlight streamed through the tall windows, bathing the cream-colored furniture in warm golden light. Fresh flowers sat neatly on a table, filling the room with a gentle fragrance.
"...Wow."
The word escaped before she could stop it.
Carefully, she carried Leo to the bed.
The little boy stirred.
A small frown appeared on his sleeping face.
"It's okay."
She gently rubbed his back.
Within seconds, his tiny body relaxed again.
A knock sounded.
One of the servants entered with Ariana's luggage before quietly leaving.
After unpacking a few essentials, Ariana wandered toward the window.
Beyond the glass stretched endless gardens, sparkling fountains, and rows of towering trees swaying in the afternoon breeze.
For the first time in what felt like forever…
Everything was quiet.
No whispers.
No judgmental stares.
No reminders that she had been rejected.
Yet the silence felt unfamiliar. She had spent so long surrounded by accusations, ridicule, and endless disappointment that peace almost seemed unreal.
Part of her kept waiting for someone to burst through the door and remind her that she didn't belong here. But no one came.
The mansion remained still, and for the first time in a long while, she allowed herself to believe that perhaps fate was giving her a second chance.
Her fingers rested lightly against the cool glass.
Then—
A familiar voice echoed inside her mind.
"Too weak to be a Luna."
Her smile disappeared.
Her fingers slowly curled into a fist.
The pain still lingered.
Fresh.
Raw.
She had escaped the pack...
But she hadn't escaped the memories.
Somewhere in the werewolf territory, Damon was probably standing beside Selena as if nothing had happened.
The thought stung.
Ariana closed her eyes before taking a slow breath.
No.
She refused to let this be the end of her story.
The Lycan King would return to the werewolf territory in a few months.
Every werewolf would be expected to return to their pack before then.
When that day came...
She wouldn't return as the broken she-wolf they had rejected.
She would return stronger.
Strong enough that no one would ever dare call her weak again.
- Writer
