Mated to My Fiancé’s Alpha King Brother

<

164 Chapter 164

164 Chapter 164

Seraphina’s POV 1

The next morning hit me like a sledgehammer.

My alarm screamed at six AM, dragging me out of a restless sleep filled with dreams about empty bank accounts and angry landlords. My

body ached like I’d been hit by a truck. Every muscle protested as I rolled out of bed.

Everything would be fine by Friday.

The walk to work felt longer than usual, my feet dragging against the cracked sidewalk. The morning air was crisp and sharp, cutting

through my thin jacket like it had a personal vendetta against me.

I pushed through the automatic doors at exactly 7:58 AM. Two minutes early, like always. No matter how shitty my life got, I was never

late.

Gary stood behind the customer service counter, his face already red with whatever crisis had ruined his morning. When he saw me, his

expression soured even more.

“About time,” he grunted.

“I’m early,” I pointed out.

“Don’t get smart with me.” He waved a dismissive hand. “Mia called in. Family emergency. She’s taking a few days off.”

My stomach dropped. “A few days?”

“That’s what I said. Which means you’re covering register two and three today. Think you can handle that without attacking any

customers?”

The jab about yesterday

incident made my jaw clench. “I can handle it.”

“Good. Because I’m not in the mood for any more drama.”

I stared at him, processing what this meant. Two registers. Double the work. Double the stress.

“Will I get overtime pay for covering Mia’s shifts?” I asked.

Gary looked at me like I’d suggested he donate a kidney. “Overtime? You’re not working overtime. You’re just doing your job.”

“But I’m covering two registers–”

“You’re covering one register. Register two. Mia’s register. Same hours, same pay.” He turned away, clearly done with the conversation.

“That’s not fair,” I said.

Gary spun back around, his face purple with irritation. “Fair? You want to talk about fair? How about the three hundred dollars I’m taking out of your paycheck because you couldn’t keep your hands to yourself?”

Heat flooded my cheeks. Other employees were starting to stare. I could feel their curious gazes like little needles in my skin.

18-36

164 Chapter 164

I walked to register two with my cheeks burning and my hands shaking with suppressed rage, Other employees looked away quickly, pretending they hadn’t witnessed my humiliation.

But I needed this job. I needed the paycheck, even if it was pathetic. Even if Gary was a power–hungry asshole.

I turned on the register and forced my face into a customer service smile. “Next!”

and went. No

a haze of cranky customers and broken price scanners.

Friday afternoon, worry was eating

the tenth time

reached Mia! I’m probably doing something way more fun than talking on the phone, so leave a message and I’ll

you when I remember!“*

made my chest ache. Where was

I tried texting instead.

Haven’t

No response.

me know you

Nothing.

need that money back today. My

Still nothing.

promised. Cross her

Friday.

It was Friday.

clocked out and walked to the bus stop with dread sitting in my stomach like a lead weight. The

stretching

in the fading evening light. Peeling paint.

of garbage

legs feeling like lead. Outside my door, a bright pink slip of paper was taped to

My heart stopped.

18:36

275

<

164 Chapter 164

An eviction notice.

with shaking hands, my eyes scanning the typed

QUIT – You are hereby notified that your tenancy is terminated. Rent for the month of October is past due. You are required to quit and surrender the premises to the owner. If you fail to do so, legal proceedings will be instituted against

*Amount Due: $450.00*

27th, or

Sunday. Two days.

dropping them twice before managing to

in around

threadbare couch and pulled out my phone, calling my bank’s automated line to check

balance is… forty–seven dollars and thirty–two

Forty–seven dollars.

needed four

due, and I had forty–seven fucking

swallowed my pride

found him in his office, hunched over paperwork and looking as miserable as I felt. When I knocked on the doorframe, he

with obvious irritation.

“What now, Sara?”

ask you a favor,” I said, hating how desperate

answer’s no. Corporate’s been breathing down my

hours.” I stepped into his office, my palms

shot up.

I’ll work

“No.”

word hit me like a

said no.” He turned back to his paperwork, dismissing me. “We

lose my apartment,” I

“Not my problem.”

純雞

164 Chapter 164

employee. I show up on time, I don’t call in sick, I cover other people’s

cost me money,” Gary interrupted without looking up. “Good employees don’t create

“That wasn’t my fault!”

your shift is your fault. His voice was flat,

there for a moment, staring at the top of his balding head. He didn’t look up. Didn’t acknowledge

to go fuck myself.

“Fine,” I said quietly.

Now get back to