Antheia POV:

"Antheia, you wench. Where are you? It's been an hour since I asked you to bring my coffee." Aunt Niran shouted at the top of her lungs. 

I ran from the kitchen to her bedroom with a cup of coffee after hearing her venomous voice. 

"Sorry, Aunt. I was doing laundry." I told her. 

"Laundry? You bitch. You should wake up earlier." It was just 6am. Aunt Niran never get up early. Today she did, just to make my life hell.

She got up from the bed and grabbed my hair. I winced in pain and struggled to free myself but her grip started to get harsh and harsher. "You are free loading on us and now you are talking back. I will throw you out on the streets." She released me and pushed me away, "Go and die."

I fell back due to the force that Aunt Niran had just used now. I gathered myself and slipped away from the room of witch before she changed her mind and started to assault me again. 

That's how I start my day. This is my daily routine. I listen to their killing words and sometimes become a victim of physical abuse.

I am the daughter of Uncle Scarlet's sister. So, basically I am his niece. My father left me and my mother for another woman and my mother could not bear this trauma and committed suicide. Since then, Uncle Scarlet decided to raise me. 

Uncle is always loving and caring but his wife is a monster. A vampire, she is ready to suck my blood all the time. 

I studied in the cheapest school in the town, maybe in the whole country. When their kids studied in the best schools possible. Despite the fact that I am a good student and I can get a scholarship anywhere, Aunt never allowed me. Since, she doesn't want me to reach the level of her kids.

Niran has two kids. A son and a daughter. Their daughter Crystal never liked me. She is just like her mother and she is of the same age as me. I am 20 years old. I am telling you as a reminder.

I don't want to say this but I am actually prettier with dark and long hair, dark eyes and they turn into a crescent when I smile and that's rare. I stand at the height of 5.6 and have fair skin. But that's all I have.

Their son Orman is 17 years old. He is a dirty player. Even though he is just 17 he goes around fucking all the girls and one day when I warned him that I will tell uncle Scarlet, he threatened me.

"I wouldn't mind fucking you in the same way as them." 

And then I really got scared and kept my mouth shut. It is better to die than to lose my virginity with him. 

I kept myself clean and pure for the love of my life but I had no time to go around dating. The house chores and part time jobs keep me hell busy. 

And if, even if I meet the love of my life, Aunt Niran will definitely kill me that day. 

I shrugged off these thoughts and got busy doing laundry, cleaning the whole darn house and making breakfast for the precious kids of her Uncle and Aunt.

It was already 8am. Finally, the witch made her entrance in the dining room. I placed the whole fucking feast in front of the table for her. There were toasts, fried eggs, bacon, sausage, 5 different types of juices, pancakes and whatnot. 

The witch did an inspection of the dining table and examined every corner of the house. She checked every nook and cranny to find the dust. Actually, that was just to find faults and to abuse me. 

I followed her nervously. I was fiddling with my fingers when I heard her fucking voice. I closed my eyes and prayed for my own well being. "You bitch, what is this?" She pointed towards the table, where a few crumbs of cookies were visible. 

Damnit!!!

They were left by her monstrous kids. They did it on purpose. They did it before going to school and university. I am not continuing her studies because my aunt told my uncle that I do not want to study anymore, when I am dying to continue my studies further. However, Crystal is studying fashion designing. They spent a whole damn sum of money on her admission. It really broke her heart and now I am their 24/7 slave.

Meanwhile, Uncle Scarlet went on a business trip last night. He will come back at night today.

"I WILL KILL YOU TODAY." Aunt Niran shouted while I stayed on my spot biting my lips and waited for the punishment. 

Aunt Niran raised her hand and slapped across my face. That stung badly. I could feel my burning skin. These ruthless bastards. 

"You wench." She grabbed a metal vase and started to beat me with it. 

"Plea-please let me.... go." I pleaded, "I will-" I gasped hard after I was hit on the abdomen. The tears, which I tried my best not to let them fall, started to roll down my face. 

"Let you go?" This time the same spot was hit with a harsh kick, "I will kill you today. Only that will bring me peace." 

I could feel the pain coming out from every single pore. I had no courage to fight back and accept my fate. 

After Aunt Niran was tired of beating me she said, "Now, stop acting like a victim you bitch and get lost from my sight." 

I dragged her body and ran away. Even though I was hurt like hell. That wasn't the first time I have been beaten this way. But actually a custom in this house. This is how I am being treated. 

I returned to my room. Room....let me correct it. It isn't a room but a tiny storage room in which there is nothing. Just a few books of mine, 3 to 4 dresses that are more like a rag or they are passed down by Crystal, a tiny mirror and a bed sheet. Which I used to lay on the floor while sleeping. There is no heating system and during winters, I freeze to death here. There is no window, so no sunlight. Just like my life, the room is also filled with darkness. 

I shut the door and plopped on the floor and cried uncontrollably. Today, I was sad. No, I was actually angry. Angry at my parents for leaving me alone in this cruel world. First, the father left me then the mother too. 

'They were selfish and in order to satisfy their needs they lost me. They threw me aside. What was my fault? It was their choice to give me birth right? Then why? Why the fuck they did that?'

My eyes were turning red and the pain was getting too much. I also needed to go to my part time job at the cafe. Then I had to come back in the evening, to cook them  dinner and after that I went to a job at a convenience store that works 24/7 and finally the hectic day ended at 12 am. 

I sat in front of the mirror. The cold floor was sending shivers down my spine, enhancing the pain. I gazed at my  reflection and that was terrible. 

The eye bags were sagging all over my face. The tip of my nose was now red from the continuous crying. I could see the tear stain on the cheeks and my chapped lips.... that was really terrible. 

I sighed loudly and ran my tongue over the dry lips and that helped a bit. I had no make up. 'How will I go to my part time job with this face?' I thought. 'Whatever, it doesn't matter. I have never dressed up in my life. If I go like this today too, it wouldn't make a difference.' I gave up. 

I searched everywhere but there was no ointment which I could apply on my aching body to soothe the pain. However, I found a painkiller and that was enough. I swallowed the pill on the empty stomach. I was getting late so I just grabbed my bag and left the house quietly. 

The bus stop from the place was very far. Orman and Crystal use cars so it is none of their concern. It is only her who has to walk for more than 30 minutes just to get to the bus stop. 

The painkiller hasn't started to work, which made it harder for me to walk. 

I was in her own thoughts when the loud horn of the car shook me. "Darling, where are you going? Hop in." Luna said. 

Luna lives in my neighbourhood. She is my only friend. She knows everything about me and also the behaviour of Aunt Niran and her kids towards me.

"I don't want to trouble you. Thanks for the offer." I declined even though I wanted to take this offer. 

"Don't talk to me again. Okay?" Luna faked anger. 

That made me smile, "Stop emotional blackmailing me. Okay?" I said in the same manner as her.

"Never. Hop in before I drag you inside the car." Luna threatened and I knew these are not just empty words. Luna will really drag me inside. 

So, I opened the back door of the car and got inside. But, I was surprised. There was someone whom I have never seen before. 

"Luna... who-" I wanted to ask. 

"Let me introduce him. He is my brother, John. I told you about him before, remember." She reminded me.

I made an 'O' after sudden realization. 

"Hello, Antheia. Pleasure to meet you." John said in his raspy voice while driving again and I could only smile in response. 

He was more of a pretty boy than handsome. Dark hair with dark brown eyes. A little muscular and all of these features complimented him well.

"So, what did Luna tell you about me?" John was a little curious. 

"She told me you are studying in England and you are her only brother." I told him the major details.

John chuckled. "That's it?" 

Luna glanced at her brother, "Bro, stop it. Don't hit on her." She warned him. 

"Okay. Okay." John raised his hand in the air. 

I just look at him. I don't know what this sibling duo is upto. 

"Antheia are you okay? You don't look well to me. Did something happen?" Luna was concerned. 

"I am fine." I faked a smile. 

Luna knew she would never share anything due to John. "Okay. We will talk later." She told me at which I nodded.

We were already at the bus stop, "Please drop me here." 

"We will drop you at the coffee shop." Luna denied.

"No, you will get late from your classes. I will take the bus." I do not want to take favours from anyone. Even if she is my friend. 

Luna sighed. "Okay. Bro please drop her." 

John was a little disappointed but he did it, according to my wish. "Bye, Antheia." The sibling duo said in unison and I waved my hand at them with a smile.

After they left, I took the bus and went to the coffee shop.