OWNED by Obsession

Ravenna Lane had always known her family loved their image more than anything in the world, but she hadn't expected them to choose shame over blood.

"You've humiliated us," her father spat, his voice sharp, piercing through her eardrums "Do you even understand what you've done? Do you know how hard i worked just to make this family rise out of nothing?"

Ravenna stood frozen in the grand marble-floored foyer of the Lane estate. Her hands trembled at her sides, clutching the straps of her worn leather bag. Her hair was still damp from the rain, and mascara stained the skin beneath her eyes.

She still couldn't wrap her head around the situation.

"I didn't do anything wrong," she said, voice shaking. "He spiked my drink-I didn't even know he was taking photos-"

Earlier that day, Ravenna had an attended an evening party with some aquaintances. In the midst of the vibe, she somehow had gotten herself drunk. This she did not understand herself because she didnt even finish her first glass. And then towards evening, photos of her and her driver was trending all over the internet–the driver? –nowhere to be found.

Her mother crossed her arms, tight and cold as stone. "That's not the point, Ravenna. You let yourself be put in that position. Your judgment is a reflection of this family."

Her brother, Julian, leaned against the wall silently, arms folded, his eyes distant. Not even a glance in her direction. He knew how well his parents cherished their status, and always kept a low profile.

"You were seen leaving the party in that dress," her father continued, pacing like a lawyer giving closing arguments. "You think anyone cares about your side of the story? You've turned us into a scandal overnight."

Ravenna blinked back fresh tears. "So you believe them instead of me."

"I believe the photographs," her mother said. "And the headlines. 'Lane Heiress Caught in Hotel Scandal with Politician's Son.' What are we supposed to do with that?"

"Protect me," Ravenna whispered, the tears finally dropping–slowly

"Protect you?" Her father laughed bitterly. "You are no longer our responsibility."

The words hung in the air like a death sentence.

"What...?" she whispered,

"You'll pack your things and leave. Today." He pointed toward the door, as if the world beyond it would magically erase her from their legacy. "Your trust fund is frozen. Your card has been deactivated. Do not come back." Mr Lane said finally while stomping his way up the marble staircase.

Ravenna stared at her family, surely she was expecting some sort of scolding, but she never knew they'd disown her. It was shocking-her mother's narrowed eyes, her father's disgust, Julian's silence. There was no warmth. No trace of love. Just walls and legacy and shame.

She didnt take much along, just a tiny suitcase which contained some valuables and her essentials. She packed it up properly and then took a look at her reflection in the mirror

'W'hy does the universe hate me so much. What have i done wrong to deserve this fate''

And with these thoughts, she walked out of the house. No plan. She was only 20 years old, and she had invested herself in her fathers corporation, not necessarily working, but she was learning with plans to start up her own company someday. She wasn't really the type to mingle, so she didn't have anybody that she could call a friend.

She walked out of the Villa silently. She looked back expecting to see her mother's worried face but unfourtunately, no such thing. She felt like a hollow shell.

---

The city felt a lot colder than she remembered.

She spent the night on a friend's couch. Janet was more of a party acquaintance than a friend. She didn't bother asking questions, only tossed her a blanket and then reminded her, "You can only stay two nights. My boyfriend doesn't like guests."

The next morning, Ravenna woke up, she opened her eyes to see a new environment, but then the horrible memory of the past night came rushing, she wept bitterly, staying curled up in her bed throughout the whole day and then evening came.

Ravenna picked up her brown worn out leather bag and wandered round the city pushing her suitcase, distraught.

No money. No home. No future.

She wore a large trench coat over her dress, boots half-zipped, the world around her felt grey and indifferent. She passed cafes, high-end boutiques, the familiar glittering life she'd once belonged to-and kept walking until the streets turned unfamiliar and the buildings turned to shadows.

The sky broke open and rain poured from the heavens like punishment.

She didn't even have an umbrella.

She ducked under a rusted awning in a narrow alleyway, waiting for the storm to soften. That's when she heard it.

Voices. Harsh, male and angry. One pleading and the other, though silent and cool toned–still sounded dangerous.

Then-

A single, deafening gunshot.

Ravenna's breath caught. She backed into the shadows, trying her best to be invisible, her heart pounding so violently she thought it might give her away. Peering just around the edge of a dumpster, she saw them.

Three men stood over a fourth who was now on the ground, pleading for his life, the bullet had gone through his leg. With an iron rod, they plucked out one eye, and then cut out his tongue before finishing him of with a stab to the heart. Each movement felt like it was being inflicted on her own body.

The tallest one-dressed in a black trench coat, broad shoulders, head bowed-tossed the gun to one of the others, then knelt to pick something from the dead man's pocket. His movements were calm, methodical.

And when Ravenna least expected, he turned.

Her heart stopped.

Even from a distance, she could see his face clearly. The sharp jaw. The slicked-back dark hair. The cruel grace in his features. There was a scar beneath one eye-small, pale-but it only made him more dangerous-looking.

He looked like a painting. Beautiful, cold, but haunting.

And then he saw her.

For a heartbeat, they stared at each other. She felt her breath leave her body as if his gaze alone had stolen it.

And then-

"Shit-someone's there!" one of the men shouted.

Ravenna ran as fast as her legs could carry her.

Her boots slipped on the wet pavement. Her lungs burned. She turned corner after corner in blind panic, splashing through puddles, ignoring the pain in her legs and the panic in her chest. Behind her, footsteps. Voices.

She was going to die.

She could feel it in her bones.

---

She didn't even hear the car that pulled up beside her until the door slammed open and someone grabbed her by the arm.

"No-please-!" she screamed, kicking, fighting, but she was pulled inside.

The door slammed shut and then the car sped away.

She was pinned against the seat by a hand so strong she couldn't move, couldn't breathe. The lights from the city blurred through the rain-covered window. She was terrified.

Her captor didn't speak at first.

Then, from the shadows, with a voice like silk and smoke he said:

"You should've kept walking."