Free Web NovelChapter 16: Chapter 16
Aria’s POV
When Mrs. Mrs. Jennifer left, my gaze snagged on the other street cleaner — the man everyone said had no family, living off scraps and favors. He lounged lazily on a bench near the hedges, his arms folded behind his head, his tools abandoned at his feet. His name was James, Anita’s nephew. fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm
Anita. The woman who’d cost me three thousand dollars with the snap of a finger. My fingers closed around the broom handle until the wood creaked.
James had slipped something into his pocket ten minutes ago. Now, he sat there like he owned the world. freewebnovel.cσ๓
I had no choice but to risk it all. It was either risk or retreat — and I’d promised Lana I would not let anyone take away what kept her alive. So risk it was.
Dusk bled into the streets. Under the street light, I kept sweeping, each stroke a counting of minutes until I could go home, until I could tuck Lana into something warmer than this thin blanket.
I was just finishing my section, nudging a stray wrapper into a neat pile, when the voice came. It was loud, arrogant and carried a deep sense of entitlement.
"Hey! You — the one with the kid. Come sweep over here too. You hear me?"
Popcorn skittered across the pavement as he spoke. My eyes found James across the street, stretched out on the bench, the limp obvious in the way he favored one side. His clothes were too clean for a cleaner’s, his posture too relaxed. He shoved the empty tub of popcorn aside and watched me like I was a show.
"Sorry, who are you?" I said, and meant it. I let my confusion slide across my face like a shawl as I pretended not to know who he was.
James scowled, his eyes full of lazy contempt. "My aunt’s Anita. Does that ring a bell?" He jerked his chin toward me, then nudged a broom across the pavement with his boot. "Go sweep this area too. And when you’re done, let me know. If I catch you slacking, I’ll have her fire your ass."
He picked up his phone and started watching some nonsense, a live-streamer giggling, the screen flashing bright. He smirked, satisfied, as though the world owed him obedience.
I caught a glimpse of his phone screen. Top donor. Figures. He was the kind of man who threw money at strangers online but couldn’t buy a shred of decency in real life.
My fingers tightened around the broom and I just started sweeping again in slow, mechanical strokes.
Prison had burned a lesson into me: sometimes, survival meant bowing your head. It meant knowing when to act small, when to let your pride rot in your gut and pretend you didn’t feel the sting. Because one wrong look, one word too sharp, and the whole world could crush you for daring to fight back.
So when James barked the order, I obeyed, broom in hand, head low, shoulders tight.
But after a few strokes, the fury started simmering in my blood. It hummed beneath my skin, hot and electric, my wolf stirring, restless.
Why are you bowing, Aria? she whispered in the back of my mind. You’ve served your time. You’re free. Stop letting them step on you.
I clenched my jaw. The air was thick and hot, my throat burning with thirst. I reached into my bag and pulled out my water bottle, unscrewing the cap. Just one sip — that’s all I wanted.
Before the rim even touched my lips, a rough hand snatched it away.
James.
He tipped the bottle back, gulping half of it in one go, some of it spilling down his chin. "What’re you drinking for?" he sneered.
"And what’re you staring at, huh? Hurry up and finish sweeping so I can clock out. You’re holding me up from watching hot girls."
He laughed, shoving another handful of popcorn into his mouth.
I stared at him in silence. My heartbeat slowed, heavy and cold. He was a tall man and looked quite ruthless. I had a baby in my arms. If it came to fight, I might be nothing but a punching bag.
He drained the rest of my water, then crumpled the empty bottle and tossed it at my feet like garbage. "Pick it up," he muttered, already glued back to his screen, laughing at whatever filth he was watching.
I said nothing. Just looked at him.
Lana stirred against my chest, letting out a soft sigh. I brushed my hand over her hair and whispered a silent promise to her. Soon. Just one more day. Then they’ll see.
Because I had a plan now. Jennifer Mrs. Jennifer wasn’t some ordinary woman— and tomorrow, her power might be the weapon I needed to finally make them pay.
Then, suddenly, James cursed, clutching his stomach. "Damn it—why the hell’s my stomach acting up now?" He glared at me, his eyes wild. "Did you put something in that water?"
A deep, loud growl echoed from his gut — not the kind that came from anger, but from agony. His face went pale, his knees buckled, and he clamped his legs together, gripping his backside as if his life depended on it.
