The sun had just begun to rise, casting soft orange hues over the quiet neighborhood. Commander Elizabeth Zed stood in her modest kitchen, buttoning her crisp police uniform. Her movements were precise, almost mechanical, as she balanced a cup of coffee in one hand and a phone in the other. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the faint scent of her perfume.

Across the hall, her son, Daniel Zed, was just stirring. The sound of his alarm had failed to wake him, but the clinking of dishes in the kitchen succeeded. He rolled out of bed reluctantly, running a hand through his messy curls as he yawned. Throwing on a plain blue shirt and jeans, he shuffled out of his room, the wooden floor creaking beneath his feet.

“Mum,” Daniel called softly, leaning against the kitchen doorframe.

“Good morning, sweetheart,” Elizabeth replied without looking up. She was busy checking the zipper on her uniform jacket.

Daniel stepped forward, his eyes scanning the neatly packed flask on the counter. “You’ve done it again, haven’t you?” he asked with a smirk, reaching for the flask.

Elizabeth finally looked at him, raising an eyebrow. “Done what?”

“Being the overachiever. Breakfast and lunch ready before I’m even awake? You’re making the rest of us look bad,” he teased.

Elizabeth chuckled, shaking her head. “Someone has to keep this house running smoothly.” She took a sip of her coffee and gestured at the flask. “Eat up. You have a long day ahead.”

Daniel hesitated before speaking, his tone turning serious. “Mum, do you ever slow down? You’ve been going nonstop lately. It’s like you’re carrying the weight of the entire precinct on your shoulders.”

Elizabeth sighed, setting her coffee down. “Daniel, every time someone calls the police incompetent, it stings. I can’t just sit back and let the Varian pack continue their chaos. They’ve taken too much already. If I don’t stop them, who will?”

“But at what cost, Mum? You’re one person. You barely sleep, you’re constantly stressed—”

“I’m doing this for us,” Elizabeth interrupted, placing a hand on his shoulder. Her petite frame was almost swallowed by her commanding presence. “One day, you’ll understand. But for now, trust me, okay?”

Daniel bit his lip, clearly torn. “Fine. But at least drop me off at school today?”

Elizabeth smiled faintly. “Not today. The driver will take you. I have an early briefing.”

Daniel sighed but didn’t argue further. “Alright. Be careful out there, Mum. Love you.”

“Love you too,” Elizabeth said, kissing his cheek. With a final glance at the clock, she grabbed her car keys and briefcase, her boots clicking against the tiled floor as she made her way to the door.

Just a few houses down, in a slightly older, more worn-down home, Seraphine Theron was rushing through her morning. The kitchen was small and cramped, with peeling dull pink wallpaper and a faint smell of dampness lingering in the air. Seraphine had managed to prepare a basic breakfast—bread with margarine—and stuffed a few slices into a faded plastic container for lunch.

Her stepsister, Solene, was still in her room. The faint sound of pop music spilled into the hallway as Seraphine approached, carrying a plate of toast. She paused at Solene’s door, hesitating before knocking softly.

“Good morning,” Seraphine said, pushing the door open just enough to peek inside.

Solene was seated at her vanity, meticulously applying mascara. Her room was a stark contrast to the rest of the house—pink walls, matching curtains, and a fluffy rug that looked brand new.

“Your breakfast is ready,” Seraphine added, holding up the plate.

Solene didn’t bother looking at her. “Just leave it on the bed.”

Seraphine’s fingers tightened around the plate for a moment before she complied, placing it on the neatly made bed. “Your lunch is ready too. It’s in the fridge.”

“Good. Make sure it’s not soggy like last time,” Solene muttered, adjusting a ribbon in her perfectly styled hair.

Seraphine nodded, biting back a retort. She turned to leave but stopped at the door. “Could you wait for me? I don’t want to be late again.”

Solene finally looked at her, her eyes scanning Seraphine’s disheveled appearance. Her black hair was uncombed, and her white school shirt was slightly wrinkled.

“You can’t seriously expect me to be seen with you looking like that,” Solene sneered. “Go brush your hair, at least.”

“I don’t have time,” Seraphine replied softly. “Please, Solene. I’ll fix it at school.”

Without another word, Solene grabbed her pink car keys and strutted out. Seraphine followed her to the driveway, clutching her bag tightly.

“Wait—just give me a minute!” Seraphine called out, fumbling with a comb.

Solene slid into her car, turned up the volume on her stereo, and reversed out of the driveway. Seraphine stood frozen, watching as the car disappeared down the street.

“Great,” she muttered under her breath, slinging her bag over her shoulder. With no other choice, she began the 30-minute trek to school.

The walk was long and uneventful, with only the occasional honk of passing cars to break the silence. Seraphine kicked a pebble along the sidewalk, her thoughts drifting. She missed her father, Jackson Terron, a man who had once been the town’s pride. He had been a dedicated sheriff, always chasing justice, until the mob had taken his life.

Her mother, Rosanna, had remarried, seeking stability for herself and Seraphine. But Sebastian, her second husband, had turned out to be a wolf in sheep’s clothing—a man connected to the same criminals who had killed Jackson.

Rosanna’s death had been sudden and mysterious, leaving Seraphine and Solene under Sebastian’s care, though she never knew her mum. Fifteen years later, the scars of that time were still fresh, and Seraphine felt like a stranger in her own home.

By the time Seraphine arrived at school, the first bell had already rung. She slipped into her 12th-grade classroom, her face flushed from the walk.

“You’re late,” the math teacher said without looking up from the attendance sheet.

“Sorry, sir,” Seraphine murmured, quickly taking her seat next to Daniel Zed.

Daniel turned to her, his brows furrowed. “Tough morning?” he whispered.

“You could say that,” Seraphine replied, pulling out her notebook.

Daniel nudged her lightly. “If you want, I’ll talk to Solene. Maybe I can convince her to stop being such a—”

“Don’t,” Seraphine interrupted, shaking her head. “It’ll only make things worse.”

Daniel frowned but didn’t press further. Instead, he slid his notebook toward her. “We’re working on equations. Want me to catch you up?”

Seraphine offered him a small smile. “Thanks, Daniel. I’d appreciate it.”

As the lesson continued, Seraphine found herself relaxing slightly. Despite the chaos of her morning, there was comfort in Daniel’s quiet support.