Chapter 2 Feeling Shattered

“Hah… hah!” Sirena opened her eyes, gasping for breath. She sat up, wiping the sweat from her brow. "W-Was it all just a dream?" she wondered, still feeling confused. But her entire body felt sore and stiff. She pulled back the blanket covering her, and her eyes widened upon realizing she was wearing nothing. "So, it wasn’t a dream?" she thought to herself. "Where are my clo–" Before she could finish her thought, her eyes landed on her torn clothes discarded on the floor. In an instant, memories of the previous night flooded her mind like an unexpected storm. Vivid flashes of her and James spending their first night together resurfaced clearly, each painful detail impossible to escape. She remembered the mixed feelings stirring within her heart, reflecting on the dire circumstances and the pain she had been forced to endure. What should have been a beautiful moment in their relationship had instead become a bitter reminder of the price she had paid for her family. To help them, Sirena had felt forced to take this painful path, hurting herself far deeper than she could have ever imagined. It wasn’t just her body that felt broken by the choice she had to make; her heart, too, lay shattered and aching, struggling to accept the bitter reality of everything that had happened. In the quiet morning, as she stared at the scattered clothing, she knew that this wasn’t just about a decision she’d made; it was about the loss of a part of herself that could never be reclaimed. As she focused on the scattered remnants of her clothes on the floor, she heard a noise beside her. When Sirena turned, her eyes widened at the sight of a man’s bare back, lying asleep facing away from her. Pain and disappointment surged within her. She felt as though her future was destroyed, unsure whether to blame the man beside her or her beloved father, whose actions had left her saddled with his debt after he disappeared. Sirena was forced to shoulder this burden, compounded by her mother’s illness and hospitalization, leaving her utterly powerless. Moving slowly, careful not to wake the man beside her, Sirena climbed out of bed and walked toward the bathroom, holding back the stinging pain and soreness in her hips. Each step felt heavy, like the weight of her emotional burden, reminding her of the bitter reality she’d just experienced. In the bathroom, Sirena stepped into the shower, letting the icy water pour over her as if it could wash away the scars on her heart. She lowered her head, letting the water flow over her body, hiding the tears that silently fell. The water seemed to carry away the turmoil within her, yet somehow, the feelings of shame and filth would not fade. She felt so weak, as if her life no longer had meaning. As she looked at her reflection in the mirror, fogged by steam, she saw a woman pushed aside, no different from the others shunned by society. With every drop of water, Sirena poured out the pain in her heart, letting her tears mingle with the cold water, hoping that one day she could find her lost sense of self. Knock! Knock! Knock! “You’re not dead in there, are you?” The loud banging on the bathroom door startled Sirena. She quickly ended her shower and wrapped herself in a towel. She opened the door with her head down, not daring to look at the man standing there who had barged in without a stitch of clothing on. Seeing him, Sirena quickly exited the bathroom, avoiding eye contact or conversation. She heard the water running, signaling that he was now showering. Sirena was at a loss for what to wear—her clothes were torn, and there were no replacements except the towel she had on. Soon, James emerged, a towel tied around his waist. "Why aren’t you dressed yet?" James asked casually. "Tsk, did you forget, Mr. James? You tore my clothes!” Sirena responded with a sarcastic tone, causing James to chuckle. “Oh, I forgot about that,” he laughed with a mischievous glint, making Sirena turn her face away in annoyance. The man walked over to a large wardrobe and opened it. “Choose any outfit you like.” After saying that, James took a pair of men's clothes and went back into the bathroom. Sirena rose from her seat and approached the wardrobe. She looked inside and saw several dresses and women’s suits. To her surprise, they were all her size. "How did he know my size?" she muttered, grabbing one of the outfits. "And when did he prepare all this?" she wondered as she put on the clothes without further thought. *** As James had requested, they had breakfast in a private room at the hotel restaurant. Vaul brought over two sheets of blank paper and placed them on the table. "What’s this?" Sirena asked. "A contract. After all, our business will run more smoothly with a written agreement. I don’t want you running off after receiving money and plenty of assistance from me," James replied casually, smiling sweetly. “I’ll pay off all the debt within three years and make sure the company recovers with the expected profits. That way, I can split your share,” Sirena replied. “Are you sure it’ll only take three years?” James asked with a smirk. “Yes, of course. No matter what, I’ll repay it quickly. And whenever I clear all my debts, end the bedroom partnership as well,” Sirena stated firmly. “Alright. Three years, then,” James replied. “I want you to free up your schedule twice a week.” “W-What? Why does it have to be twice a week?” Sirena protested. “If you don’t agree, we can cancel the contract. How about that?” James asked with a cunning grin. Clearly, Sirena couldn’t back down, especially since James had already become the first man in her life. “Fine!” Sirena replied, glaring at James with hatred. “I’ll arrange a special apartment for our meetings. I’ll contact you for the days, so keep your schedule open,” James said, leaving Sirena speechless. "I’ll take care of your uncle to settle the company’s debts. I’ll also pay part of your mother’s medical expenses,” James added. “Alright.” “Are there any conditions you’d like to add to our contract?” James asked. “I want us to keep out of each other’s personal affairs. Apart from the scheduled days, there will be no other meetings,” Sirena stated firmly. “Agreed.” Sirena let out a sigh. “Then I’ll leave now. Just let me know when the contract is ready for signing,” she said, standing up. James also rose, extending his hand to Sirena. “Glad to be working with you, Siren,” he said with a wide grin that Sirena found irritating. “Yeah.” Sirena accepted his handshake, her eyes sharp with resentment. As she tried to pull her hand away, James held on. “Just a bit of advice. Don’t hate me too much, or you might end up falling for me,” James teased with a smirk. Sirena quickly pulled her hand back. “That will never happen!” she replied, storming off with her bag. James returned to his seat, chuckling. “Isn’t this just delightful, Vaul?” James laughed. ***