Aria’s POV
Mrs. Jennifer’s voice was gentle but firm, like silk over steel. "Ms. Aria, just forget her. She’s done. She made a mistake and has no right to hold that position anymore."
She stepped closer, her hand brushing my shoulder.
"Thank you," I murmured, my throat tight. Around us, the other cleaning ladies were beaming, giving thumbs-up and words of praise.
"Well done, Aria!"
"You showed them!"
Their voices buzzed like bees. I didn’t feel proud. Pride was a luxury I’d long stopped indulging in. Instead, I felt a bit fearful.
If Mrs. Jennifer hadn’t stepped in... if fate hadn’t turned its head toward just once... I might’ve been the one cuffed, humiliated and cast aside.
All I’d wanted was to survive here — to carve out a quiet corner of safety in Asterfell for and Lana, nothing more.
Jennifer’s warm smile drew back. "Good girl," she said, her voice carrying a matriarch’s pride. "You’ve helped a great deal. Is there anything you want as thanks?"
For a heartbeat, my wolf stirred — ask for protection, for safety, for freedom — but I only shook my head.
"What I wanted, I’ve already got," I said softly.
Seeing justice done... reclaiming my three thousand dollars... it was enough. Maybe even too much good fortune for soone like .
Jennifer studied for a mont, her sharp eyes full of thought. "But are you really planning to sweep the streets here for the rest of your life?" she asked, her tone kind, not condescending. "My grandson has so connections in Asterfell. Maybe he can help you find a better job."
The maid chid in eagerly, "Yes, you should accept. Mrs. Jennifer’s promise isn’t sothing just anyone can get."
I smiled faintly, shaking my head. "No, thank you. I actually like my current job."
It was the truth.
There was sothing healing about it.
When the broom moved in my hands, steady and sure, I could forget the past for a while. Forget the night my pack fell apart. Forget the blood, the loss, the ache that never stopped.
For those few hours each morning, I wasn’t a hunted wolf. I was just Aria Thorne, a woman keeping her little world clean.
Mrs. Jennifer sighed softly, a note of regret in her voice. "Then I suppose this is goodbye, Ms. Thorne."
Her gaze drifted down to Lana nestled against . My little one was half-asleep, her tiny hand curled against my chest, her breath warm.
Jennifer’s eyes softened, and I saw sothing flicker there.
Her voice was almost a whisper when she asked, "Ms. Thorne... where is your child’s father?"
My pulse quickened.
I looked down at Lana, her tiny fingers curling in her sleep, and replied softly my voice barely above a whisper.
"He passed away."
And in my heart, that was the truth — or close enough to it.
Jennifer’s eyes softened. She hesitated for a mont before murmuring, "My condolences."
Then she turned and walked away.
When she was gone, I picked up my broom again and went to work.
---
The next afternoon, I went to the Community Board office that oversaw the sanitation workers, Lana cradled in my arms.
The mont I pushed open the door to the finance office, Frances Lawson looked up from her desk. "Aria, you’re just in ti," she said, motioning for to co closer.
"The matter with Anita docking your pay has been reviewed," she said briskly. "The penalty’s been revoked. Take a look here and sign. You’ll get your deducted wages back."
I nodded silently, a ripple of joy bubbling within .
Frances wasn’t done. "Oh, and regarding your police claim — the officers confird it was Anita who slandered you. You’re innocent. Keep working hard. You’re young and have a bright future ahead."
Her lips twitched, a smile too thin to be kind. The way she said bright future made my fur prickle beneath my skin.
If working as a cleaner was a bright future, I thought bitterly, then I suppose anyone can dream of being the wife of California’s richest man.
Frances sipped from her cup, content and smug. "Alright, sign the form and close the door on your way out. Don’t let the heat escape. It’s freezing in here."
Her words buzzed past like gnats. My hands, red and cracked, trembled slightly as I took the pen. The callouses tugged against the cheap plastic barrel. I signed my na and pushed the paper back.
When i stepped out, the whispers around swelled. My wolf ears caught every word, every sneer.
"Aria sure made a scene this ti. Mrs. Jennifer had to step in for her."
"Wasn’t it Aria who cleared her na and kicked Anita out?".
"Please. Anita’s got powerful connections. You think a cleaner could pull that off alone?"
"Who’s backing Anita, anyway?"
"Who knows? I heard she’s got soone really high up behind her."
"Aria’s playing a dangerous ga. Her bad days are coming. She’s pissed off more than just Anita."
My pulse beat heavy in my chest, and for an instant, I wanted to snarl at them,
But I didn’t.
I just gathered Lana closer and kept walking, tuning out the gossips.
I’d learned that trick the hard way. If I let every whisper sink its claws into , I’d never stop bleeding.
The air inside the building as I stepped into the hallway was thick with the stale scent of coffee, paper, and envy.
I didn’t know much about Mrs. Jennifer as people thought. All I knew was that she carried an air of power. The kind that could either crush or save. Back when I was soone — when the world still called Attorney Aria Thorne or even when I beca Luna Aria Hemsworth — I might’ve t her at a gala, maybe even spoken to her. But that woman was gone now. Dead, in her own way.
All I wanted was peace. A quiet life where my daughter could grow up.
The docunt in my hand trembled as I looked down at it, the official reversal of my penalty. My fingers shook so hard the paper crinkled. I clutched it tighter, afraid that if I loosened my grip, it would vanish like a dream.
A whole month’s wages. Enough to buy food, formula, maybe even a blanket that didn’t sll of rain and tal.
For once, I’d won.
For once, justice had clawed its way back to .
My chest swelled with fierce relief. I glanced down at Lana, her cheeks flushed, her little hand tangled in my sleeve. You see, baby? We did it. We’re safe, for now.
But safety is a fragile thing.
Just then, a looming figure appeared in my path.
It was him.
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