Chapter 2. Leaving it all behind

I snuck into the house, like a thief, making sure not to awaken my mother. She did not know that I had snuck out just hours ago. I looked at the silver clock above the arch , it was already 5am.

Jumping straight into the shower I scrubbed myself until the skin broke and droplets of blood oozed out. The pain from the bruising could not compare to the pain o felt inside.

I dressed in my pajamas and headed straight for bed. Drawing the blinds shut, I drifted into a dreamless sleep.

3months later.

I spent three months of my life crying. Who would want a pregnant ,tainted woman like myself. I was spiralling down into a deep dark place. If it was not for the baby I carried in my womb, I would have ended my life.

It broke my mother's heart when I finally found the courage within me to tell her the truth.

I never went back to the mansion after that day. My mother,being a single parent was like a superhero but I felt the depth of her wound. She blamed herself for my misfortune.

" I have made arrangements for you to go to your aunt Tess in Canada." My mom told me." A fresh start will do you some good."

I did not want to argue. Living here made me feel miserable,maybe a fresh start would bring peace to my life.

I packed up and took the first flight to Canada. As I hopped of the plane ,the fresh air reached my lungs and the summer breeze brushed against my skin. I felt like a new person.

No one here knew me or my story.

I smiled as I took my luggage and walked to the entrance.

A short stubby old lady stood holding a sign board with my name on it.

As I walked towards her ,I realised it was aunt Tess. I hadn't seen her in years. I had only seen her a few times when she visited. She has aged out nicely. Her grey hair was almost silver. She was much older than mom but I didn't expect her to be looking much older several years later. Maybe Seth was right, I was niaive,I was still innocent and still a child.

Aunt Tess squealed with excitement when I approached her.

"Look at you dear. You have grown up."

"I hear we have a baby on the way!"

I held my stomach out of instinct and lowered my head in shame.

"Now child. It doesn't matter how it happened. A baby is a blessing."

"It's time to pick yourself up, dust yourself off and get back onto the saddle ,child. You cannot live your life grieving the past. As soon as you are settled in I will take you to the little coffee shop I own. You can work there . It will help keep your mind occupied. Maybe you might meet someone." Aunt Tess winked.

I didn't want to meet anyone. Love wasn't for me anymore.

As I jumped of the car, my jaw felt as if it had dropped to the ground. Aunt Tess lived in a mansion bigger than Seth's.

" Close your mouth child." Aunt Tess laughed." I will tell you all about it at dinner."

I looked at the time, it was already past five in the afternoon. I was excited, since dinner would be soon. The curiosity was killing me.

Hartley, the butler took my bags and led me to my room." Dinner will be served in a bit."

I sprawled myself on the bed, looking up at the mural on the ceiling. It was so classy and vintage. The bed was soft, molding around my body.

I felt as if I had died and gone to heaven and the little angels painted on the ceiling made it feel so realistic. I had to pinch myself.

I freshened up and joined aunt Tess in the dining hall. It was as big as our entire home back in New Jersey.

Julie served us a hot bowl of soup. The aroma made my eyes watery. It was strong.

"Eat it all up dear. It's good for the baby."

I picked up my spoon and took in a small amount.

It has a musky kind of taste with an occasional burst of egg.

I smiled at aunt Tess, waiting for the story she was going to narrate .

"Oh child, where do I begin."

"How about this cool mansion." I burst out.

" Well you see, this is the family mansion. We are Luna's."

" Wait. You must be joking aunt Tess. My mother is a servant to the Rollins family back in New Jersey. We can't be Luna's."

" Your mom didn't tell you,now did she?" Aunt Tess asked a rhetorical question.

" Tell me what? If she was a Luna she wouldn't be working so hard ."

" Well, she has always been full of pride. I had asked her to come back home but she refused. I am glad that she sent you." Aunt Tess smiled.

"But how?" I was now very curious.

"Well, child. When your mother was just about your age, she fell in love with a beta,your father. They eloped and was never heard off again. Your mother and I still kept in contact when she had you. Your grandparents had passed away about five years ago and I asked her to come back home. I had heard about the accident and the passing of your father and I just wanted your mom to come home. It would have been just like the old times." Aunt Tess's eyes glimmers in the light. I could see the memories tugging at her heart as she tried to hide a sniffle ." We are Luna's ,my child."

I stared at aunt Tess for what seemed like a lifetime as I digested what she had told me.

" Finish up your soup before it gets cold. It's getting late. We have an early start tomorrow."