Forsaken Ties

Reign flinched as the black sports car inched forward. The gate groaned ope, inviting the vehicle inside. Instinct told her to move aside and let the car pass, but after a second thought, driven by fear and desperation, held her in place.

The driver honked once, twice, then repeatedly in frustration. The sound echoed into her ears but Reign forced herself to stand firm. Her body trembled and she could feel her legs grow weak with each honk, but she didn't step away.

After what felt like a century, the car door clicked open. A tall, young man stepped out, the sharp sound of his shoes tapping against the pavement. With a fast motion, he removed his black sunglasses.

His gaze locked onto her, as he tilted his head slightly, nudging his chin upward as if silently as well as annoyed, asking, What do you want?

Reign swallowed hard and her voice wavered as she forced the words out. "C-Can you… can you take me in with you?"

The man didn't respond immediately. Instead, he walked closer, his expression unreadable. He placed one hand on the bonnet of his car, narrowing his eyes.

"Why?" His voice was smooth yet edged with curiosity and something else. Amusement? Yes. Shrewdness? Double yeses.

Reign clung to her dress tighter, struggling to keep her voice steady. "I… I need to meet Mr. Vale."

Another question came from the man. "Why?"

She hesitated, her lips parting but no words coming out. A lump formed in her throat wondering how to phrase her words, in a way that she would be able tk convince him. Finally, she managed to whisper, "He might know where my family is."

The man gazed at her carefully exhalingharply, then suddenly leaned closer to her face.

Reign's stopped breathing, as she squeezed her eyes shut, fear clenching her stomach. What was he planning to do to her?

A moment passed, before a low chuckle filled her ears. She slowly opened her eyes, heart pounding fast and loudly. The man shook his head grinning widely, before stepping back. Without another word, he turned and walked toward his car.

"Get in," he said casually, opening the driver's seat.

Reign blinked in confusion. "H-Huh?"

The man glanced over his shoulder, arching a brow. "Didn't you just beg me to take you in?"

Reign took a few seconds to record what he was saying, then her lips parted in shock.

Realizing he wasn't joking, she gave a hurried nod. "T-Thank you," she stummered, the words slipping out before she could stop them.

She climbed into the passenger seat, gripping the fabric of her damp dress nervously, an the car rolled forward through the open gates.

The car smoothly came to a stop inside the vast estate.

"Follow me," the man instructed, stepping out without waiting for a response.

Reign hurriedly nodded and did as she was told, trailing behind him through the grand entrance.

As soon as they stepped inside, an agonizing scream pierced the air making Reign freeze. She was quite familiar with that voice.It was Ivy, her cousin.

Without thinking, she pushed past the man, nearly knocking him aside and ran towars that direction, her legs moving before her mind could catch up.

She cane to a halt when she caught sight of a really terrifying scene.

Her uncle, aunt, and cousin. All three of them were kneeling on the cold floor. Her cousin sobbed uncontrollably, her body trembling as she clutched at her mother. Her aunt, though silent, had a haunted look in her eyes, as if she was on the verge of losing her mind.

But that was not what sickened her. It was her uncle. His wrist was profusely bleeding, fresh crimson staining his sleeve, and a smear of blood trailed down from the corner of his mouth. Reign gasped in shock, as her eyes slowly traced upwards, looking at the culprit.

Dressed in all black, King looked down at trio like a god passing judgment on his disobedient subjects, sitting on his high end coach.

Reign barely had time to process the scene before Ivy let out another broken cry, due to heavy kick landing on her stomach.

"Aaaah!"

Reign snapped and instantly ran towars them, and dropped to her knees beside her cousin, gripping her shoulders. "I... Ivy."

Ivy only sobbed harder, clutching to her mother, who was equally crying, watching her daughter suffering like this.

Reign eyes shifted to her uncle, when Ivy's cries died down a bit. Seeing his injuries, she crawled toward him, worry evident in her eyes.

"Are you okay, uncle?" she asked softly.

But the response Reign got was swift and brutal. A resounding slap cracked across her face, sending her sprawling onto the floor. Pain exploded in her cheek, and she tasted blood on the corner of her lips.

Reign gasped, her hand flying up to her stinging skin as she turned her wide, innocence and fearful eyes toward her uncle.

Xavier's expression twisted with rage at her sight. "You ungrateful wretch!" he spat. "You had one simple task, and you failed!"

Reign's stomach turned. "Uncle... I..." she tried forming words, her voice shaking.

Xavier sneered down at her. "You shouldn't call me 'uncle' anymore," he said coldly. "We are no longer related. I have tolerated you for years, not anymore. Find somewhere else to go."

Reign felt her blood ran cold. Her uncle was disowning her. She crawled closer, her hands grasping his pant leg. "Please," she begged, her voice barely above a whisper. "I didn't mean to fail. I—"

"Shut up!" he snapped, yanking his leg away from her.

Reign's breath trembled as she stared at him, at his wounds. This was all her fault and she deserved everything. If only she had not been too foolish. She owed her uncle gratitude of taking care of her when no one else wanted to, thus, she felt guilty and regret for exposing him unknowingly. Even though he had sold her to the cruel man before them, she still did not want to hold any resentment against him. Even though he had decided to abandon her at the last minute, she convinced herself he was still family. After all, she deserved it for being stupid.

A choked sob bubbled in her throat, but before it could escape, another voice cut through the air.

"How did you get in here, little one?"

The room fell still, before Reign turned her head slowly. King Vale's empty gaze was fixed on her, dark and demanding.

She sucked in a shaky breath, unable to form an answer. Her eyes darted to the doorway, where the man who had brought her in now stood, leaning casually against the frame.

A slow smirk tugged at the stranger's lips. "Well," he mused, "looks like I picked up an interesting stray."

King's gaze flickered between the two of them before settling back on Reign.

"Didn't I tell you not to let me see your face again," he stated, his eyes narrowed at her dangerously.

Reign swallowed hard, a new sense of fear rising in her. For some reason, she felt like those eyes could see through to her deepest secrets, and it scared her.

She felt her throat close up, and no words came.

And in front of her, King Vale continued to watch. Waiting, scrutinising and deciding.