Betrayed by My Ex, Marked by His Alpha Emperor Brother novel Chapter 159

Chapter 159: Chapter 159

Elara’s POV

At register three, the clockwork dial above the exit doors read exactly 8:47 PM.

I was still here, exactly thirteen minutes past my continuous eight-hour shift. But Mia was somewhere across town with "Tuesday Derek," leaving me to cover for her absence. Register two sat dark and empty, and the chaotic line at my register snaked back past the bread aisle like a living, breathing accusation.

My feet had stopped hurting a while ago. Not because they felt better, but because they had gone completely numb.

I scanned a tin of preserved vegetables. Beeped it through. Dropped it in the bag. Reached for the next item. My hands moved on their own now, mechanical and efficient, disconnected from the rest of my aching body. Behind my pleasant, fixed customer-service smile, my mind was already at home. I was already dreading my upcoming dinner—boiling water for cheap instant noodles. The kind that came in paper packets with a little seasoning pouch that tasted vaguely of salt and deep regret.

I was physically drained and financially strapped, and the sheer sadness of it weighed on me. But I tried not to think about it.

"Next, please," I called out, striving to maintain my professional composure.

The boy who stepped forward was eighteen years old. He had the gangly, unfinished look of someone still growing into his own limbs, and he looked entirely flustered. He placed two items on the counter with trembling hands.

One energy potion. One candy bar.

I scanned them both. "Twelve gold, 67 copper."

He nodded too fast. Panicked, he reached into his pocket and fumbled, attempting to pay for the 12 gold 67 copper purchase with a single gold coin. He stared at it, his face flushing deep red in blotches that climbed up his neck.

"I—sorry. Hold on." He patted his other pocket, then his back pockets, digging frantically for the rest of his money.

"Take your time," I said gently.

"You gonna take all night, kid?" a voice boomed from behind him.

The boy flinched.

The man waiting behind him was an imposing six foot three inches. Enormous. Not just tall—broad. He wore stained work clothes covered in grease, and everything about him radiated an aggressive, deeply intimidating sense of entitlement.

The teenager’s hands fumbled further, and a few copper coins scattered on the counter.

I looked right past the boy to the massive man, gently defending the nervous teenager. "He’s almost done. Just another moment."

I helped the frantic boy gather his coins, counting them out quickly. "That’s it. You’re all set," I told him kindly. He took his bag, whispering a breathless thank you before rushing toward the exit.

Next was an apologetic working mother. She stepped up, placing her items on the belt with tired, careful movements.

"I am so sorry for the wait," she murmured politely.

"It’s no trouble at all," I replied, my compassion aching for her as I recognized the familiar exhaustion in her eyes. I scanned her milk, bread, and baby food. "That comes to 21 gold and 48 copper."

She paid quickly, offering a grateful smile before leaving. My brief moment of pleasant interaction vanished as the big man finally stepped forward.

He didn’t place his items on the counter. He shoved them. A six-pack of cheap ale, a pack of cigarettes, a lottery ticket, and beef jerky.

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