When Skylar opened her eyes, she was greeted by a sea of white—the walls, the ceiling, even the man in a white coat pacing around. The movement made her head throb.
She slowly turned her head, and the sight outside didn't disappoint. The sky was a clear, brilliant blue. Small clouds drifted lazily, birds soaring high above them. A ringing sound buzzed in her ears—annoying and relentless. But she couldn't tell if it was coming from her mind or somewhere else.
Staring at the dull white ceiling, she recalled what had happened yesterday.
"Why didn't I die?" she thought, sighing.
Her breath must have been louder than she realized because the girl speaking to the pacing doctor suddenly glanced at her, whispering something to him.
"Are you okay?"
A voice—smooth, gentle—pulled her attention. Skylar turned and met a pair of striking blue eyes. The man had fluffy white hair, his features soft yet refined. An omega, she noted immediately.
The scent that followed confirmed it—strawberries, milk, and a faint hint of roses.
She stared at him for a moment before speaking, her voice cold. "Who are you?"
The man only smiled.
"I'm Jordan, and this is Techna. We—"
Before he could finish, Skylar cut him off, her face pulling into a frown.
"Were you the ones who saved me last night?" she asked, her voice wary.
"Yes," Jordan said simply.
Skylar's heart clenched. What do they want?
She had learned the hard way that no one helped without expecting something in return. Her eyes flickered to the ceiling as she asked, slow and cautious, "Why?"
Jordan's gaze didn't waver.
"I want you to be part of my team. I want to work with you, Skylar LaRosa."
Why?
Why would they want someone like her?
She didn't know what kind of job it was, but she already knew one thing—she wouldn't bring them any luck.
As she turned to look at the stranger again, recognition struck her like lightning. Her eyes widened.
"Are you… Young Master Lee?"
The last thing she wanted was to be tangled with high society again. She was fed up. All she wanted was to rest. Was that too much to ask?
Jordan nodded, but before she could ask why he wanted her, he answered as if he already knew.
"I saw what they did to you… and I hated it. I may not have been treated badly or used, but I'm also a resilient omega. I can't give birth… but just because of that, does it mean I should be treated as less? Does it mean you should?"
His voice wavered slightly.
"I want them to pay. I want them to feel the very same pain you felt. Just let me help you."
A single tear slipped from his crystal-clear eyes.
Something sharp twisted in Skylar's chest. No one had ever said something like that to her.
A part of her wanted to trust him, to believe that his words were genuine and that, for once, someone truly wanted to help her without hidden motives. But the scars of betrayal ran too deep, etched into her soul like wounds that refused to heal.
She had been hurt too many times before—lied to, abandoned, used as nothing more than a pawn in other people's games. Every time she had reached out, hoping for kindness, she had been met with disappointment.
So how could she trust now? How could she believe that this time would be any different?
She was exhausted—not just physically, but deep in her soul. She couldn't keep going in this cruel world, where the line between good and bad blurred.
She had never done anything to deserve such hatred, yet she was never loved. Never wanted.
She didn't belong here.
She shook her head slowly, her voice rasping, "The only thing I want right now is death."
Jordan's eyes widened. He reached out, taking her hand in his. His warmth contrasted starkly against her cold skin.
"The worst decision you can ever make," he murmured. "You'll regret it. Trust me."
Skylar shook her head.
"It's one of the best decisions I've ever made, Mr. Lee."
She turned her gaze back to the ceiling.
"Look at me!"
A sharp, commanding voice cut through the quiet. Skylar flinched, caught off guard. She followed the voice, her eyes landing on a girl sitting on the couch.
Her expression was unreadable—eyes calm as a still lake, lips pressed into a thin line.
"Do you really think death is the easiest way out?" Techna's voice was firm, unwavering. "Do you think you'll die in peace? Don't be foolish. I know the pain you're going through, but that doesn't mean you should act rashly."
Skylar looked away, but the words struck her deep.
"If your family did this to you without remorse, don't you think another resilient omega will be born? And they'll be treated just like you were. And you? You'll be up there, watching… powerless to stop it."
Skylar's breath hitched.
"No…" she whispered. It wasn't true.
But Techna wasn't finished.
"But what?" Her voice cut through the air like a blade. "Do you think taking your life is insignificant? Do you know how many people dream of just one more day to live?!"
Techna leaned forward, eyes burning with intensity.
"I could let you jump in a river or slit your wrists—it's none of my business. That's not my problem. I won't lose anything if you die, Skylar LaRosa."
Skylar felt something inside her shatter.
She had convinced herself that dying was the perfect solution. But deep down, she knew—Techna was right.
What if another child was born?
What if they suffered just like she did?
If she ended her life, there would be no one left to stop the madness. She would be forced to watch from hell as another innocent life was crushed—just because she had been too weak to fight back.
Techna's voice softened, but the weight in her words remained.
"Do you really think you can die in peace?" she asked. "With your so-called family living their lives like they did nothing?"
No.
No, she couldn't.
Skylar slowly turned to face the fierce girl.
"No," she whispered.
Techna's lips curled into a small smile.
"Then stop thinking nonsense."