The rain poured relentlessly, as if the heavens themselves mourned alongside Sabi. The cemetery ground was muddy, the scent of wet earth clinging to the air. A small crowd had gathered, mostly neighbors and a few distant relatives, but Sabi felt alone. More alone than she had ever felt in her entire life.
She stood still, her black dress soaked, her fingers clenched into tight fists. Her best friend, Vicky, stood beside her, holding an umbrella over them both. But the cold that seeped into Sabi's bones had nothing to do with the rain.
The priest continued speaking about life and death, about finding peace, but Sabi wasn't listening. All she could see was her mother's coffin, being lowered into the ground. Her mother had given everything to Jupiter Hotel, her time, her energy, her very life. And for what? To be tossed aside like she was nothing. To die of exhaustion while scrubbing floors that would never remember her name.
A fire burned in Sabi's chest. A fire she had never felt before. And as the final shovelfuls of dirt covered her mother's coffin, she whispered a vow under her breath.
"I will make sure they pay."
Vicky turned to her. "What did you say?"
Sabi's face was stone-cold, her eyes dark with rage. "Jupiter Hotel," she said, voice firm. "I will bring them down. I will burn everything the CEO and every shareholder built to the ground."
Vicky hesitated, searching her best friend's face. "Sabi…" she started, unsure of what to say. "That place took your mother, I get it. But you don't have to…"
"No," Sabi cut in. "You don't get it. You didn't see her break down day after day, barely able to stand. You didn't see how they worked her to death, how they humiliated her, drained her physically, mentally, emotionally. She cries every night from exhaustion. You don't get it, Vicky. But I do."
Tears welled in Vicky's eyes. She had never seen Sabi this way, so angry, so filled with hatred. But what could she say? The pain in Sabi's voice was real, and the injustice of it all hung heavy in the air. So instead of arguing, she wrapped her arms around her friend.
She knew it's almost impossible for a pauper to find victory fighting with the wealthy but when Sabi has made up her mind, there's nothing to say that can change it.
"You're not alone," she whispered. "I'll be here. Whatever you do, wherever this path takes you, I'll be here."
Sabi finally allowed herself to cry, burying her face in Vicky's shoulder, sobbing until there was nothing left inside her.
From that day forward, Sabi changed. She was no longer just a grieving daughter. She became a girl with a mission.
She buried herself in studies. She read every book she could find about business, hospitality, and empire-building. She wanted to know exactly how Jupiter Hotel functioned, how it thrived. More importantly, she wanted to learn how to destroy it.
While her classmates partied, she stayed up late, scribbling notes, drawing business models, mapping out weaknesses in luxury hotel chains. Vicky watched in awe and worry. Sabi was relentless, and nothing seemed to be able to pull her away from her obsession.
***
Meanwhile, across the city, Levi Callahan was proving just how cruel he could be.
Paris, his brand-new wife, stood before him in their grand penthouse, dressed in the most delicate silk nightgown, the soft fabric clinging to her body in all the right ways. But Levi barely looked at her.
"Levi," she said, stepping closer. "It's been weeks."
He sipped his whiskey, unbothered. "And?"
She swallowed, searching his face. "We haven't… you haven't even touched me. I understand that this is a contract marriage but, I am human, you are human, don't you feel horny sometimes?"
His cold blue eyes finally met hers. "We had an agreement."
Paris clenched her fists. "Yes, a contract. A business transaction, fine. But we're married. Don't you think…"
"No."
Her heart twisted. "No?"
"I married you because it was convenient," he said, setting his glass down. "You bring financial security. You come from a powerful family. That's all I need from you."
Her cheeks burned with humiliation. "So I'm just a trophy wife?"
Levi's lips curled into a cruel smirk. "No, Paris. A trophy is something you win. You were handed to me. There's a difference."
Tears pricked her eyes. She had known Levi was cold. But she had hoped, foolishly, stupidly that maybe she could warm him. That maybe, with time, he would look at her the way she looked at him.
But now she saw the truth. He would never love her. He would never even care.
She turned on her heel and stormed out of the room, her heart pounding. She didn't stop until she reached her bedroom, slamming the door shut behind her. Her breath was ragged, her entire body trembling.
How dare he? How dare he dismiss her like that? Like she was nothing? Like she was just some business arrangement, not a woman with needs and desires.
She fell onto her bed, her body burning with frustration, her mind spinning with anger and longing.
She ran her hands over herself, the need clawing at her insides. If Levi wouldn't touch her, then fine. She didn't need him. She could take care of herself.
But just as she slipped her hand under her nightgown, throbbing on the most sensitive part of her coochie, a sound at the door made her freeze. A soft gasp.
Her eyes snapped open, locking onto the maid standing in the doorway, mouth agape.
The girl fumbled, her face turning bright red. "I-I'm sorry, ma'am! I was just…"
"GET OUT!" Paris screamed, throwing a pillow at the door.
The maid fled, slamming the door behind her, but the damage was done. Humiliation crashed over Paris in waves. She buried her face in her hands, hot tears spilling down her cheeks.
She hated Levi. She hated how he made her feel. And more than anything, she hated how much she still wanted him.