𝑽𝒆𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒂 [M.Kaiser x reader]

• Chapter 25 •

"You didn't think of the consequences, did you?"
-Vespera

*(Warning: Descriptions of abuse/slapping and verbal abuse. I am not promoting this type of behavior)*

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"Are you ready?" Her mother's voice was deceptively calm, but Vespera could sense the storm lurking beneath those measured words.

Vespera nodded eagerly, forcing a confident smile to her lips. "Don't worry, Mommy! I've got this all handled," she said, her voice bright with false bravado.

Her mother's sharp gaze didn't soften. Instead, she looked past Vespera her eyes narrowing as if she sensed something amiss. "Really now?" she mused, her tone laced with quiet suspicion. "Then why are some of the slaves running out of the district right now?"

Vespera felt her stomach drop. Running? What does she mean, running? Panic twisted in her gut as she turned to look where her mother was pointing.

The sight that met her eyes made her blood run cold. Down the narrow, dimly lit street, she saw them, dozens of figures bolting through the shadows, their movements frantic and desperate.

The boys from Blue Lock.

No, no, no! Her mind raced, scrambling to make sense of the situation. Just moments ago, everything had been under control. The boys had been securely locked away, subdued and broken ready for the auction. How could this be happening?

"M-Mommy, I promise you I had them under control, I..." Vespera began, her voice trembling with fear and desperation. Before she could finish her plea, a sharp crack echoed through the air as her mother's hand struck her across the face.

The force of the slap sent Vespera reeling, pain blossoming across her cheek. She barely had time to register the sting before her mother's fingers tangled in her hair, yanking her head back with brutal force. Fear gripped her heart as she looked up into her mother's furious eyes.

"Ouch, Mommy, please! I'm sorry!" Vespera cried out, tears welling up in her eyes as she struggled against her mother's grip. The pain was sharp, but it was the cold disappointment in her mother's gaze that cut the deepest.

Her mother leaned in close, her voice a low venomous whisper in Vespera's ear. "You're lucky I have plenty of other girls and boys that I procured myself. Otherwise, I'd really punish you."

The words sent a shiver down Vespera's spine. She knew all too well what her mother meant by really punish. Her mother's punishments were the stuff of nightmares, whispered about in hushed tones among those who knew better than to cross her. Vespera's body trembled.

Would her mother really do that to her too?

As her mother released her, Vespera stumbled back her heart pounding in her chest. Her cheek throbbed with the memory of the slap and she could feel the sting of tears still burning in her eyes. She clenched her fists at her sides, nails digging into her palms as she fought to regain her composure.