Chapter 3 – Silent Rebellion

The next morning, I woke up to the sound of footsteps outside my door.

For a second, I lay still, listening. The house was already awake—distant voices, clinking plates, and the usual morning routine. My stomach ached slightly from hunger, but I ignored it.

I sat up, stretching my arms.

So, they expected me to stay locked up today?

Fine.

But that didn’t mean I would sit here and do nothing.

I stood up and walked to the mirror. My reflection still looked fragile, but my eyes were different. There was fire there now—a spark that hadn’t been there before.

They think I’m still weak.

Let them believe that.

A knock on my door made me turn.

Mila again.

She peeked inside, looking uneasy. “Breakfast is ready.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Oh? I thought I wasn’t allowed to leave my room.”

Mila shifted nervously. “The Madam… changed her mind.”

I almost laughed. Of course, she did.

My mother loved control, but she also loved appearances. If I stayed locked away too long, people might start asking questions.

I walked past Mila without another word.

As I stepped into the hallway, I immediately noticed the shift in the air.

The maids avoided my gaze. My siblings—Marcus and Cassandra—were already at the table, eating as if nothing had happened. My father was absent, as usual. And my mother…

She was watching me.

She didn’t say anything as I took my seat. But I could feel it—the way her eyes scanned me, searching for weakness.

I picked up my spoon and started eating, completely ignoring her stare.

Let her look. Let her wonder.

She expected me to be grateful, to be obedient.

I wasn’t giving her that satisfaction.

Cassandra scoffed. “Took you long enough. What, were you too lazy to get up?”

I smirked and took another bite. “Nah. Just didn’t see the point of rushing.”

She blinked, clearly not expecting that response.

Marcus snorted. “Since when did you start talking back?”

I met his gaze, my expression calm. “Since when did you start caring?”

He frowned, but before he could say anything, my mother cleared her throat.

“That’s enough.” Her voice was sharp. “Clarisse, after breakfast, you’ll go to the market. I expect you to come back quickly.”

I wiped my mouth with a napkin and set it down. “Give me money, then.”

The table went silent.

My mother’s expression darkened. “Excuse me?”

I leaned back in my chair. “You want groceries? Fine. But you’ll have to give me money for it. I’m not going to beg strangers or use my own savings like before.”

Her fingers tightened around her fork.

Cassandra let out a laugh. “Wow. What’s gotten into you?”

I smiled at her. “Nothing. Just tired of being treated like a servant.”

My mother’s jaw tightened. For a moment, I thought she might lash out. But instead, she pulled out her wallet, took a few bills, and placed them on the table.

“Take it. And don’t test my patience.”

I picked up the money and pocketed it. Then, without another word, I stood up and left the table.

As I walked away, I could feel their stares burning into my back.

Good. Let them wonder what else is about to change.

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The moment I stepped outside, I felt the weight on my shoulders lighten. The house—no, that prison—had suffocated me the moment I woke up in this body. But now, with the open street before me, I had space to think.

I clutched the money in my pocket and started walking.

The market wasn’t far, just a few blocks away. As I moved through the streets, I took everything in—the smell of street food, the sound of vendors calling out their prices, and the chatter of people going about their day.

It was strange.

I had lived another life before this, yet I couldn’t recall ever walking these streets as Clarisse. Her memories were hazy, like a bad dream I was slowly waking up from.

But one thing was clear.

She had never been free.

She had always walked with her head down, avoiding people, afraid of taking up space. She had let herself become invisible.

That won’t happen again.

I reached the market and started picking out what we needed. I moved quickly, calculating each purchase, making sure I wasn’t overspending.

Old habits died hard.

As I handed over some cash to a vegetable vendor, a familiar voice sneered behind me.

“Well, well, look who finally grew a spine.”

I turned slowly.

Cassandra.

She stood there, arms crossed, her expensive purse hanging from her shoulder like she was some kind of queen. Her usual fake smile was in place, but her eyes were sharp.

She wasn’t here to chat.

I smirked. “What do you want?”

Cassandra scoffed. “I should be asking you that. You’ve been acting strange. What, you think one night of silence will make everyone respect you?”

I met her gaze, unbothered. “No. But it’s enough to make you pay attention.”

Her fake smile twitched.

She didn’t like that.

Good.

I turned back to the vendor, grabbed my change, and started walking away.

Cassandra wasn’t done, though. She stepped in front of me, blocking my path. “I don’t know what kind of game you’re playing, but don’t forget your place, Clarisse.”

I tilted my head. “And what place is that?”

Her eyes narrowed. “The one beneath me.”

I chuckled. “That’s funny. I don’t remember ever agreeing to that.”

Cassandra’s jaw clenched. She was used to me cowering, used to me staying quiet. She had no idea how to handle this new version of me.

I leaned in slightly, my voice dropping to a whisper. “You should get used to it, Cass. I’m not going back to who I was.”

Then, before she could respond, I stepped around her and walked away.

I could feel her burning stare on my back.

Let her be angry.

She wasn’t the only one who needed to realize that Clarisse was no longer the weak girl they once knew.

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