Eliana clutched her elbow, screaming. While the others rushed over, she lifted her foot. Her stiletto heel came down hard on my hand.
She ground it in, twisting.
Pain exploded up my arm. Blood pooled on the white tiles.
Before I could move, a heavy boot slammed into my chest.
Hudson.
He kicked me backward, face twisted in disgust. He didn't recognize me—only saw a clumsy servant who'd hurt his precious Eliana.
"How does a Michelin-starred restaurant let trash like this inside?" he roared. "This filthy lowlife got my sister's shoes dirty!"
The manager came running, bowing and scraping, apologizing profusely for my existence.
"My deepest apologies, Sir, Miss. I'll have this trash removed immediately," the manager stammered, bowing low. "Your meal is on the house. Please, let me know if there's anything else I can do."
Eliana didn't look at him. Her gaze locked onto mine, malicious excitement lighting her eyes.
"We don't need your charity," she sneered. "But since this filth ruined my shoes, she can clean them. On her knees. With her tongue."
The manager stiffened but didn't dare object.
Noah stepped forward—to onlookers, a concerned gentleman intervening in a dispute. I knew the monster beneath the mask.
"Miss Sanchez is right," he said, smooth as velvet. "A mess requires proper cleanup."
He grabbed a fistful of my hair and yanked, forcing my head down to Eliana's heels. Pain radiated across my scalp as he bent close, breath hot against my ear.
"Refuse," he whispered, "and I'll drag you to the basement and train you right here in front of everyone."
Trembling, I leaned forward and opened my mouth.
Metallic tang of blood and dirt coated my tongue.
Eliana watched with sadistic glee. When the heel was clean enough, she pulled away as if granting mercy, then threw herself into her parents' arms.
"Daddy, Mommy, I missed you so much!" Her voice transformed into a sweet, spoiled whine. "Studying abroad was exhausting. Promise you'll stay home and pamper me."
Tears blurred my vision.
Hudson told me she was suffering, I thought. Working herself to the bone to pay off the family's debts.
My adoptive parents called me a curse. A jinx who destroyed everything. The Sanchez family's ruin was my fault. I had to work harder. Make more money. Bring Eliana back so my brother could see our home whole again—even if I had to sell every part of myself.