Chapter 1 A Painful Betrayal

__prologue__

Delina's childhood was a tumultuous journey, shaped by the chaos of her foster home. Her foster parents were locked in a constant cycle of argument and anger, their toxic relationship festering like an open wound. The source of their conflicts often centered around money-her foster mother's insatiable desire for luxuries, particularly jewelry. With each extravagant purchase, Delina's foster father's temper grew more volatile, until one fateful night, the tension reached a breaking point.

In a fit of rage, her foster father confronted her mother about the missing funds, accusing her of stealing his hard-earned money. His voice thundered through the house, drowning out Delina's attempts to calm them. The argument escalated until, in a moment of unthinkable violence, he took her life. The aftermath left Delina traumatized, not just by the brutality of that night but by the stark reality that her foster father would be imprisoned for his crime, leaving her utterly alone in a world that felt increasingly unsafe.

With her foster parents gone, Delina was thrust into the system, forced to confront her painful past. She longed for a fresh start, away from the memories that haunted her. After completing college, she made the brave decision to move in with her best friend, Bella, in a new city, hoping to escape the shadows of her childhood.

The transition was both exhilarating and terrifying. Bella, ever the supportive friend, welcomed Delina with open arms, eager to help her begin anew. Together, they sought financial stability in a city buzzing with opportunities. It was Bella who introduced Delina to the job at "Dias de Glamour," a glamorous event known for its upscale clientele and generous pay. The excitement of working in such an elegant setting sparked a glimmer of hope within Delina, as she envisioned a future free from her troubled past.

As they donned their waitress uniforms for the first time, Delina felt a mix of anticipation and nervousness. This new chapter was a chance for her to redefine her life and find her place in the world, far removed from the horrors of her childhood. Little did she know that this new beginning would lead her into the complicated and unpredictable world .

Delina's POV

I sat on my small bed, my mind haunted by the memory of that night. I could still feel the sting of my tears as I begged him to stop, but my pleas fell on deaf ears. His bloodshot eyes, filled with raw desire, left me powerless. I tried my best to endure the pain, but it became unbearable, and I passed out. When I woke up hours later, he was gone. The room was empty, except for my torn clothes beside the bed. My body ached all over as I tried to get dressed, but I had no choice but to put on some of his clothes that were left behind.

Walking down the street, I felt the eyes of strangers on me. A part of me feared they knew what had happened. When their stares became too intense, I glanced at my reflection in a nearby window. My neck was covered in hickeys. Embarrassment washed over me, and I wished for the ground to swallow me whole.

As I hurried away, I spotted my best friend, Bella. She stared at me with disgust. Her face twisted into a scowl as she uttered, "Oh my God, what happened to you? You look a mess."

Her eyes drifted to my neck, widening in shock. "Jeez, what's that? Don't tell me you're this cheap," she sneered.

I felt anger rise in me as i stare at her in disbelief "Do you even care about me? Are you here to help or mock me?" I snapped still wondering what has gotten into her .

Bella scoffed, "Help you? Look at yourself. What will people think if they see me with you? They'll call me a prostitute too. You look pathetic."

Her words cut deep. Tears welled up in my eyes, and I couldn't believe this was the same friend who had once been so kind. Ignoring her, I turned to leave. But then, I felt a sharp pain in my head. I spun around to see Bella holding a hockey stick, her face plastered with a cruel smile. She said something, but my vision blurred, and I collapsed.

The next thing I remember was waking up to the strong smell of antiseptic. I realized I was in a hospital. The small room was bare except for a chair, a table, and a tray of medical supplies. A drip was connected to my hand, nearly empty. I sighed in frustration as questions flooded my mind, but they were interrupted by the door opening.

"How are you feeling?" asked a nurse in her late thirties, her voice soft and gentle.

"I... I don't know," I whispered, tears filling my eyes.

"Hush, my dear, you'll be okay," she said, sitting beside me and gently holding my hand. "Thank goodness they brought you here on time. We almost lost you."

I stared at her, overwhelmed with emotion. "Do you know who did this to you?" she asked, her voice cautious.

I froze. I knew who had raped me. He had been drugged that night, but I couldn't forget. Yet, I couldn't bring myself to fully accept it. After a moment, I nodded slowly, my sobs making it difficult to speak.

"It'll be alright," she said, trying to comfort me, though I knew that nothing about this situation was alright. The person I trusted most had hurt me, and my best friend had betrayed me when I needed her the most. The pain was suffocating.

The nurse seemed to sense my turmoil. "Don't worry, you're out of danger now. What about your family? Shouldn't you contact them? They must be worried."

"I don't have a family," I whispered, feeling more lost than ever.

She smiled kindly. "It's alright. You can stay with me until you recover."

Tears of gratitude filled my eyes as I looked at her. I hadn't expected kindness after everything. "Thank you, ma'am" I said, my voice cracking.

"Call me Karen," she said with a warm smile with light in her eyes .

I nodded, my heart swelling with a mix of pain and relief. For the first time in a long while, I felt like there might still be some good left in the world.