Episode 7

LEILA

My final six months at the boarding school loom, and it seems they're intent on seeing me dead before I reach eighteen. I spent a week in 'The Hole' without food or water because of what reason? Well, Ivone claimed I stole something, and the headmistress searched my room, where they found a stupid bracelet I would never touch. But Ivone made sure it was there, which landed me a week in that vile place.

When they finally let me out, it was Sunday evening, and Katya had returned. It was late, and I thought I wouldn't eat that night, but Katya had cereals and cookies stashed away for me. I thanked her profusely. I'm not very emotional, but I trust Katya. After that, I was perpetually punished or beaten for reasons I couldn't fathom as my departure edged nearer.

"Happy birthday," Katya offered me chocolate.

"Thanks," I said, as she looked at me with sadness.

"I don't know what I'll do without you for the next three months," Katya.

"Nothing. Just get bored within these four walls. But for me, it’s strange. I've been here for eight years, and I don't know Russia at all. It's like I've been living in a box all this time," I remarked.

"Tomorrow, my grandparents will wait for you outside the school. I showed them your picture, and you've seen theirs, so recognizing each other should be easy," Katya.

"Well, I'll see you on weekends for three months, and then my revenge will begin," I stated.

"You still don't know if Mr. Romanova will accept your proposal," Katya.

"He will. He wants to clear his name, show everyone he didn't hit anyone, especially not his ex. Plus, he needs a wife to retain his power and influence," I commented.

"I truly hope everything works out for you," Katya.

"So do I. Now, let's sleep—it's my last night here," I said, and we both headed to bed. The next morning, they threw me out with nothing but the uniform I was wearing.

I walked to the entrance of the boarding school, and there was a luxurious black car and an older couple waiting.

"LEILA?" the lady asked sweetly.

"Mr. and Mrs. Smirnov?" I queried, and the lady gave a warm smile.

"Yes, our granddaughter has told us a lot about you. Thank you for being her support in the school," the lady said with emotion.

"I believe she was more of a support to me than I to her," I replied.

"Regardless, we are grateful, and now, let's head home. Katya will join us over the weekend, and she insisted we give you access to her things," the gentleman spoke.

"Thank you," they took me to their mansion.

It's large and beautiful, reminiscent of the Villareal’s. Not that I'd seen the inside much—just once when I was eight. The whole family had been on vacation, and my mom left me in the garden. Yet I ventured inside the mansion, where I glimpsed how that man and his family nearly slept on pure gold while my mother, brother, and I lived off their leftovers. Well, especially me; my mom got plenty of money on top of her salary but was forbidden to spend it on me, and she obeyed, whereas my brother reveled in everything Mr. Villareal gifted him.

Mrs. Smirnov showed me Katya's room, where I'd be staying—two big beds, lots of new clothes, and everything I could need.

"Katya said you could use any of the new clothes. She didn't tell us much about your past, but if she cares for and trusts you, we do, too," Mrs. Smirnov.

"Thank you. I promise I won’t let you down," I said.

They left me alone to settle in—really to take a long shower and abandon that uniform I'd never wear again. After my shower, I picked out comfy pants, a shirt, and shoes, leaving my hair loose. Then I took Katya’s computer to research my future husband—important to know him well when we'd meet face-to-face. During my search, I stumbled onto someone embezzling from his company’s finance department.

📨 "Dear Mr. Romanova, I know you have doubts about wedding a stranger like me, but to show that I'd be a wife who safeguards her husband's interests, here are evidences someone is stealing from you," I sent the email, and his immediate reply made me wonder if he lived glued to his computer.

📨 "I don’t know where you came from, but I'll give you the benefit of the doubt. At the upcoming party, I’ll grant you a chance to convince me to marry you—a chance I’ve never given anyone. Make it count," Mr. Romanova.

📨 "Worry not, I know how to seize an opportunity. See you in three months," I closed the exchange and shut down the computer, then headed down to enjoy a meal with Katya’s grandparents—a truly sincere and kind couple who allowed me to eat my fill after two years of stale bread and oatmeal.

They inquired about my family; I told them they were dead and that my late father's wishes were for me to study here until I came of age. So now, finished with my studies and eighteen, I had no one to turn to—they were, in a way, all dead. When my brother betrayed me, he died to me, as Mr. Villareal always had been. Dead to me—I have no family. From the day my mother died, I've been alone. Now all I have is a single goal: revenge.

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