Juana caught my agonized demeanor. "Mi amor," she said, pulling my cheeks into her palms. "You can't let them get to you. You're stronger than this. One day, maybe... maybe there'll be someone who'll come and sweep you off your feet. A prince charming of sorts, who'll save you from all this."
What?
She gave me a hopeful smile, but I could hear the pain behind her words. She still thought there was some kind of fairy-tale ending for me.
"This isn't a fairy tale, Juana. This is real life. And real life doesn't have happy endings for people like me."
"Hmm, have you forgotten so quickly? That Beta at the Luna Hunt Gala. He sure seemed like a prince charming to me, didn't he?"
I froze. That night. That beautiful, confusing, awful night. The night Axel had stood up for me, had defended me against the crowd. My breath gave a pause. Was it possible? Did Axel care? Or had he just been some momentary knight in shining armor?
I found myself lost in thought, imagining his face—his eyes… they were powerful and protective.
Where was he now? Would I ever see him again? Would I ever get the chance to thank him properly?
Juana's voice broke through my daydreams, and I snapped out of it, my cheeks suddenly hot. "Oh, you're looking dreamy now. Tell me, were you thinking of Axel just now?" She leaned forward with a cheeky smile, clearly enjoying the flustered expression on my face.
I quickly looked away, trying to collect myself. "I—what? No, I wasn't thinking about him!" I quickly added, though the heat in my cheeks betrayed me.
"Oh, really?" Juana's grin widened. "Well, you DO look like you were dreaming about him. You know, if you're thinking about him, you could always go talk to him. He might be waiting for you to come back and say thank you for, you know, saving your butt at the gala."
No. No. No.
I groaned and buried my face in my hands, trying to hide how embarrassed I was. "Stop teasing me, Juana. I don't think he's waiting for anything from me."
Juana's voice then eased, losing its teasing edge. "It's alright, María José. You're allowed to have feelings. And if he's someone who treated you well, maybe... maybe he's someone worth knowing."
Who said anything about wanting to know him? Oh, please. A hopeless and worthless Omega is probably the least on his dating list.
I shook my head, not wanting to entertain the thought any longer. I had enough to worry about without daydreaming about some Beta who probably didn't even care.
"Please, let me help you with your bruises." Juana suddenly reached out with gentle hands, her gaze full of concern. "I don't want you to go out like this."
I looked at her, torn. "I don't want to get you in trouble, Juana. You've already done enough for me."
She shook her head firmly. "Don't worry about that. I'll do it in a way that won't get me caught. Let me help you."
I was skeptical, caught between wanting to be cared for and logic. The inner child in me won.
You know, I should have refused, but there was something in her expression—something that made it hard to say no.
"Okay," I finally relented. "But I'm really not sure if I want you to do this... You shouldn't be risking your position for me."
Juana smiled, giving me a reassuring nod. "You deserve it. Let me help you look after yourself."
After she'd tended to the bruises on my face and arms, she looked at me, still not quite satisfied. "Will you let me come with you to the butchery? I don't think you should go alone."
What?! This girl must not love her job! Father would have her head if she helped me with that!
That was one of his many plans of getting me disciplined and making up for all the years he 'wasted' on spoiling me and giving me the 'princess' treatment.
I shook my head immediately. "No. You can't. What if someone sees you with me? It's not worth it."
Juana's face was soft, but the stubborn glimmer in her eyes didn't wean. "But you've never been to the butchery. It's not a pretty place. And I don't think you'll be able to handle it alone. Let me come with you. Please."
I opened my mouth to protest, but the thought of that horrible stench, the grimy floors, and the sound of the slaughterhouse doors slamming shut stopped me.
For a moment there, I would have agreed, but when I thought of Dad, I couldn't put Juana's job in danger like that.
"No, Juana. I'll be fine. I've got to face this. It's just another task. I can handle it. Just... don't worry about me."
Juana looked at me for a long moment but she didn't argue. "Alright, but I'm still wishing you luck," she said, and then, as if to lighten the mood, she added, "And when you come back, let me really help you. I'm not finished with you yet."
I smiled faintly, my heart warmed by her care. "Thanks, Juana. I don't know what I'd do without you."
"You'll never have to find out, María José. I'll always be here for you."
****
I stepped out of the house, the chilly evening air biting at my skin as the door slammed shut behind me. My heart was thumping—whether from the anticipation of leaving or the unease of what awaited me, I couldn't tell.
For a moment, I stood motionless at the front step, staring down the long driveway. The idea of taking my car, of driving away from this place and into the unknown, was tempting. But the very idea of freedom—of doing something for myself, felt almost absurd in my current reality.
As I approached the garage, my hand brushed against the black convertible, the one that used to make me feel alive, in control. I could already picture myself behind the wheel, the wind in my hair, the road spread out before me… far away from all this.
But just as I reached for the door handle, a voice held me back.
"Señorita María José!"