Is this destiny?

Sarah realized that without the bond of trust she shares with Aiden and without Eve's help, both Sarah's marriage and their business would be shaken up because of Kaia and Bryn. At these thoughts, Sarah's mood dropped, and she was glad that Aiden noticed it and he enveloped her in his hug.

She took in deep breaths and inhaled his woody-flowery scent that calmed her nerves as he rubbed her back gently.

"Thank you...", Sarah whispered.

"Anytime, my love. That is why I'm here...", his deep and soothing voice spoke directly to her soul.

Sarah realized that they are standing and hugging in the middle of the Blanc store and she stepped away, unsure how to look at her employees. This frail and needy woman is not matching the image of a fearless Goddess Nyx she is trying to project. 

What Sarah didn't know was that three soldiers of the Army of Chaos (now salespeople) watched her and Aiden with smiles on their faces, happy to see that their Nyx and Erebus are getting along well. Only by having solid leadership, the organization can flourish, and Sarah and Aiden are providing them with a firm and stable foundation. Seeing them support each other, gave everyone in the Army of Chaos confidence that they will also get support in their time of need.

"What do we do if she comes here looking for trouble?", salesgirl Tina asked Sarah while looking at Kaia who was seated at the table across the hall.

"Capture her and keep her in the dungeon until someone from the center comes to get her. If after all this she still retaliates, then she is beyond salvation. That applies to the other girl as well.", Sarah responded.

JoAnna is always looking for test subjects that can try out her concoctions and if Kaia and Bryn keep on poking the hornet's nest in search of trouble, JoAnna can make use of those two foolish women.

Tina and two guys confirmed that they understood the orders. They all looked at Sarah with sparkles in their eyes, it's not every day that they get to interact with Goddess Nyx up close. Sure, Aiden was there as well, but Sarah's presence held a bigger significance in the Army of Chaos.

Sarah and Aiden stayed in the Blanc store for a bit longer.

To Aiden's delight, Sarah picked jewelry set for her, and Aiden added to it a necklace in a similar style with a request to be delivered to their home after 'Logan' is engraved into it.

After that, Sarah and Aiden took a stroll through the mall that ended with a meal in the Greek restaurant. They did what they planned on the previous day, and it was relaxing, but not over.

…

Later that evening…

Bryn was twisting and turning in her bed. She was exhausted, yet sleep was eluding her like a luxury she does not deserve.

Her mind was restless and didn't allow her to relax and sleep.

Many things happened, and Bryn had no idea how everything spiraled out of control.

When she arrived home that morning, she took a long shower to wash off remnants of the previous night, and then she sat in front of her PC to see the outcome of the smear campaign that she and Kaia launched on the previous day.

Do Bryn's horror, instead of negative coverage on Blanc and its owners, the trending articles were about her and Kaia with graphic photos from the previous night. What happened? How was that possible? Who took those photos and posted them online?

She thought that she was about to pass out when she saw notifications from social media. Everyone knew about her indecent behavior. Everyone.

It all looked like a nightmare, and it got worse when her mother stormed into the room and started beating her with a leather belt while shouting curses at her.

"How did your soul become so wretched?"

"Who tainted you? Is it Kaia? Is she the devil who made you do it?"

"Do you know that I'm getting messages from people who are asking me how is it possible that I raised a slut?"

"How am I supposed to show my face outside after this?"

Her mother raged and the only thing Bryn could do was to roll herself into the corner and hug her knees tightly in order to reduce the surface her mother can hit. Sharp stings where the belt met Bryn's skin told her that she was bleeding through the fabric of her t-shirt. Over time, her body became numb as Bryn stared into space, like a broken doll, waiting for it to stop.

Bryn didn't have answers to her mother's questions, and it's not like her mother wanted to hear any explanations anyway. What can explain those photos? Nothing.

Eventually, her mother stopped hitting her and spoke breathlessly in rage: "You have two options. Get out of my sight and never come back or start praying and not come out until I tell you that it's OK."

Bryn wanted to leave, but her appearance was pitiful, and she didn't have a place to go. The only person who could understand her plight was Kaia, but after all those photos, Bryn was aware that Kaia is not in a position to help her out, so Bryn decided to stay home and endure whatever her mother has in the store for her. At least she will have a roof over her head and food, hopefully.

Her mother took her phone, wallet, and disconnected the computer from the internet, cutting off Bryn from the rest of the world.

Bryn knew that she will be punished harshly if she steps out before her mother calms down, and she stayed in her room obediently. She was not surprised that her mother didn't call her for lunch or dinner, but Bryn didn't dare to come out of her room out of fear that she will provoke her mother further.

Bryn ate one granola bar and a pack of mints that were in her room and decided to sneak into the kitchen around midnight when her mother should be sleeping.

She turned the lights off and laid on her bed, pretending to sleep, in case her mother checks on her.

Through the open window, Bryn listened to the sounds from the street. It was after 10 PM and things became quiet. In a small town like Fairfield, people go to bed early and there is not much nightlife on weekdays.

Bryn sobbed silently over her misfortune. Since she got fired, her life turned into a big rollercoaster that is going downhill in general.

She dreamed of a rich boyfriend and a life of glitz and glam, and she thought that she got it, but it all slipped away. Instead of partying on a luxury boat, she was curled up in her bed, and her body ached from the beating her mother inflicted on her. To make everything worse, she had no one to turn to. Bryn was confident that people will judge her and scold her because of those photos. She was all alone.

"I almost feel sorry for you."

Bryn froze when she heard an unfamiliar female voice in her room. She turned in slow motion and stared at the shadow in her room. Two shadows, standing next to each other.

"Who are you?", Bryn asked in a shaky voice.

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