lle'

en the same si

els like shattered glass-broken beyond repair. Every time

en to me," I beg, my voice

sgust. His eyes, once filled with warmth and pride, now hold nothing

words slamming into me like daggers. "And I'm

s well up in my eyes. The one person who had always stood by

el l

my father's love. They made my life difficult, but as long as I had him, I felt s

Bella. Never trusted her lie

would still be fine be

efend me against their cruelty. But now? He acted like I didn't exist. Even when Bel

more tha

ed eyes followed a couple stepping out of the house across the street. They were laughing, their h

ave this house," I

y husband-to-be would come and take me away from this misera

self in the cracked mirror, real

r. Hollow cheeks. Sunken eyes. My once radiant skin had lost its glow, and my clo

ant me when he s

ched, exhaustion weighing me down like chains. Just as I was about to c

mil

immediately, I rushed out of my room, my

a and her mother sat together, th

ille's place?" Bella asked hesitantly, he

ile spread across

me. I've already planted the seed of doubt in his heart. He

t. If there was one thing she knew for certain,

would lose

g against fine porcelain, laughter humming in the air. But as always, I sat apart. Cross-legged

no longer surprised me-it w

to retreat to my room, my father's

come to

ne acknowledged my presence beyond commands and punishments.

e dimly lit corridor, my bare feet barely making a sound against

cigarette between his fingers, his back turned to me. His posture was bot

r me?" My voice held

his chair. The glow from the desk lamp flickered over his stern face, ca

oming tomorro

ile stretched across my

h excitement. I had dreamed of this moment-of escape, of

his eyes made

" he said simply, flicking hi

lips. A cold, sinking feeli

ther?" My voice barel

lasses, his expre

ll take y

hit me l

ll

favored one.

haking my head in disbelief. "I-I was supposed to be the one getting mar

nly indifference as he inhaled

tion, my hands clenching at my sides.

ped to me-sha

ust talk b

w better than to challenge hi

" I whispered, m

I want you to behave yourself tomorrow. No outbursts, no foolishnes

ds burned deeper tha

lea

ers-but the steel in his eyes warned me that

d, and turned away, dragging

inally let the tears fall, my silent cries fil