Once the bakery opened, Cordelia stepped outside and started walking down the street.

"Good morning, Cordelia!" an elderly woman called out.

Cordelia smiled and waved back, "Good morning, Miss Rosaline!"

"Where are you off to in such a hurry?" Miss Rosaline inquired. She had almond-brown skin, jet-black hair with gray streaks, and dark green eyes. She wore a red robe and a green and purple hat.

"I'm just checking the mail," Cordelia replied. "How are you?"

"I'm doing alright, dearie," Miss Rosaline replied. "Please tell your mother and sister I said hello."

"I'll do," Cordelia nodded and hurried to the mailbox station. She retrieved the family key and unlocked the mailbox marked with the number 752.

Opening the door, she took out some pamphlets and envelopes. She sighed deeply as she flipped through them.

She started walking back down the street, clutching the papers in her hands. "Another day, another pile of pointless mail," she thought with a frown.

She glanced at the sky for a moment, hoping things would get easier today.

"Hey, Cordelia!"

She silently cringed at the voice as a twenty-six-year-old man approached. He had porcelain skin, brown hair, and green eyes.

"Hello, Hans," she sighed as she continued walking. "Why do you keep bothering me?"

"Come on," Hans pouted. "We were supposed to hang out today."

Cordelia glared at him. "My family and I have a bakery to run. I can't just hang out. Besides, I'm sure the rest of your friends would prefer it if I weren't there. I'm not that outgoing."

"But still," Hans said, jumping in front of her. She glared up at him. "I'm sure they wouldn't mind this time."

"What part of the word no doesn't make sense to you?!" Cordelia hissed.

Hans frowned before huffing. "Fine. But you should know you're missing out this time."

He stepped aside, and Cordelia bumped his shoulder as she stomped past him. Hans watched her with a deep frown and shook his head.

Cordelia strolled into the bakery, grumbling under her breath. She nearly slammed the mail onto the counter, causing Claudia to stare at her in surprise.

"What's gotten you so agitated this afternoon?" Claudia inquired.

"You can probably guess," Cordelia sighed, rubbing her face. "Where's Mom?"

"She went to the store today," Claudia replied as she sorted through the mail. "So, we're in charge of the bakery until she returns."

"Okay," Cordelia nodded and stroked Mellos's head. She sighed softly before looking up as the bell rang and the door swung open.

A twenty-five-year-old man entered the bakery. He had porcelain skin, shoulder-length raven-black hair, and striking turquoise eyes. He wore a gray and white jacket over a brown shirt, dark gray jeans, and red and white boots.

"Hello," Claudia greeted him with a smile. "Welcome to Bryk and Rye's Bakery. Would you like anything?"

"Do you have a Red Velvet cake?" he asked.

"Yes, we do," Claudia nodded. "I'll get that ready for you." She headed into the back room.

Cordelia watched her sister before turning her attention to the man.

He surveyed the bakery, his hands tucked into his pockets. He glanced at her, and she quickly averted her gaze, her cheeks flushing a light shade of red.

He raised an eyebrow before looking at the clock. "So, this is your place?" he asked.

Cordelia looked back at him and cleared her throat. "Well, yeah. My sister, Mom, and I live here. I'm Cordelia Bryk."

"Harlan Douglas," he greeted with a smile, "have you been a Londoner all your life?"

"Born and raised," Cordelia chuckled, "what about you?"

"Well, I live somewhere in the neighborhood," Harlan replied with a shrug, "it doesn't really matter."

Cordelia raised an eyebrow, puzzled by his nonchalance. Why wouldn't it matter?

Claudia emerged from the bakery with a box labeled 'Red Velvet'.

"Here we are," she announced. Harlan retrieved his wallet and asked, "How much do I owe you?"

"Twenty dollars," Claudia replied, "is there anything else I can get for you?"

"No, thank you," Harlan said, placing twenty dollars on the counter and taking the cake box. He glanced at Claudia and Cordelia before walking out of the bakery. Claudia chuckled as she deposited the money in the register. "Well, he's certainly an interesting person."

"Yes," Cordelia hummed in agreement.

It was a quiet day, and their mother had returned from the store.

"Hey, girls," she greeted, placing some grocery bags on the counter.

"Hi, Momma," Cordelia said, washing dishes.

"How was shopping?" Claudia asked as she settled into a table.

"Honestly, it was boring," Abriana chuckled, "but I managed to get some things. Is there anything noteworthy that happened while I was gone?"

"Only one customer came by today," Claudia replied, sorting through papers. "He bought a Red Velvet cake and left."

"Well, that's nice," Abriana said. Cordelia responded with a soft hum.

"There's going to be a gala," Abriana announced, "and I'd like for the three of us to attend."

Claudia's eyes sparkled with excitement as she exclaimed, "When is it?"

Abriana chuckled and replied, "In a few days, specifically on December 23rd." She then pulled out a purple and silver envelope.

Cordelia sighed, "I think I'll pass on this one."

Claudia's expression softened, and she pouted, "Aww, what? Come on, sis. I know big parties aren't really your thing, but you gotta live a little."

Cordelia chuckled, "I do live, thank you. But parties aren't really my thing."

Abriana's eyes softened, knowing her daughter wasn't much of a social butterfly. Even as a child, she hadn't seen Cordelia make any friends.

Hans had only tried to be her friend because they had met during childhood. Abriana hummed softly.

She placed a comforting hand on Cordelia's arm, making her daughter look at her. "I know you enjoy your alone time," she began with a smile, "but I think it'll be nice to go out occasionally. Just to feel good and be yourself. I want you to try it, for me?"

Cordelia bit her lip before sighing softly and nodding.

"Okay, Mama," she conceded. Abriana smiled softly and kissed Cordelia's forehead.

"Thank you, lovely," she said.

Cordelia smiled softly and nodded. Suddenly, a shrill scream echoed through the house, causing the three women to jump in surprise.

Abriana spun towards the door, her eyes narrowing. "Stay here," she instructed. She hurried out of the door.

Cordelia felt her heart pounding as she and Claudia looked at each other before slowly going out the back door.

There were sirens blaring, and people were gathered outside. Cordelia glanced around before the smell of smoke and blood hit her nostrils, causing her to nearly gag.

Claudia widened her eyes, "Is that... blood...?"

Cordelia followed her gaze, her eyes widening in horror and shock. There was a man lying on the ground, his lifeless eyes and bloodied clothes revealing a horrific scene. His throat had been torn out.

Cordelia's breath caught in her throat as she let out a fearful scream.