Chapter 1

I stretched because of my back pain. I finished answering Chontel's homework and I also finished cleaning her room. I stood up and stretched.

I was holding the end of the desk because I was dizzy. I just realized that I haven't eaten all day.

I got down and immediately went to the kitchen. I looked for food. I gasped when I saw what food was left. Small rice and fish head.

I ate that little bit of food and just drank a lot of water. After I finished eating, I thought of throwing our garbage outside.

I'm already outside. It's night. I'm feeling tired, so I sat next to the stored garbage.

"Life, why are you tough on me?" I asked sadly and just lay down on a big garbage bag.

I looked up at the sky full of stars. When I was young they said, when a person dies it will become a star in the sky. It was said to guide you and protect you from people who do not treat you well.

"Dad, where are you among those stars? Why didn't you protect me from your evil sister and your niece?! They kept on hurting me, d-dad," I cried.

My eyes were dazzled when the two lights of a car suddenly focused on me.

I wiped away my tears and immediately stood up. My hand was blocking my eyes.

When the light of the car went out, a mature man got out of the car. If I'm not mistaken, he is in his forties. He has a few strands of hair that are now white and his beard has also white strands. He has an elegant body and is handsome even though he is quite old compared to me.

I stepped back as he approached me. He took money from his wallet and immediately handed it to me. I swallowed because I was scared. He might think I'm a pick up girl.

"S-Sir?"

"Don't be afraid. I'm kind to beggars."

My eyes widened because of what he said. I looked at my clothes. I just closed my eyes because of what he thinks of me.

"Don't be ashamed. Get it so you can have something to eat. And you won't dig through the mountain of garbage anymore."

"Sir, I'm not—"

He himself took my hand and made me hold the money.

"It's alright. Don't be ashamed of what you're doing. I admire people like you compared to young people who steal," he told me.

I just stood still and couldn't believe what he said.

He turned his back on me and immediately took out the garbage bags he was carrying.

"Go home because you are not safe here." He took something from his wallet. "I have a charity for people who need help. You can call me anytime. The number is there. I can help you, miss."

I just nodded. I don't know what to say to him. Until he left, I was still staring at the calling card he gave me.

I walked lazily in the middle of the road on my way home. Only a few street lights illuminated the surroundings. I feel at peace when I am here in the middle of this dim lighted road.

That oldman really left me quiet. He did think I was a garbage woman and a beggar! My clothes are old but I look good. My almond eyes were inherited from mommy and my nose was inherited from daddy. My skin is fair. I only had scars because Aunt Milie and Chontel caused them. I'm not tall but my height is suitable for the pageant.

I sighed and lazily stepped into the gate. I closed it and immediately headed home.

I was just surprised when Aunt Milie suddenly pulled me by my hair. She dragged me towards the living room. She threw me so that my side hit the end of the table.

"Aunt Millie, what have I done wrong, why are you hurting me?"

She turned to me and bowed. She slapped my cheek so hard. I was almost deafened by the force of that slap.

"You don't need to ask that, stupid! To feed you here and make you live is your big mistake! I hope you die with your father or you'll just go with your prostitute mother!"

I was constantly in tears. My hair was messy and my face was wet from a mixture of tears and sweat. It hurts when she speaks that way. I couldn't seem to swallow what she did to me and what she said.

"I don't live here for free, Aunt Milie. We both know what role I have in this house! In fact, I'm more than a maid if you treat me! I've paid through my hard work too much to stay in this house and the food you feed me! I've worked hard in this house! While you're sitting around all day smoking cigarettes, I'm working hard at home! I don't feel like you consider me family," I said.

I couldn't take it all anymore so I got those words out. I respect her because she is my aunt but she is doing wrong deeds too much to me.

"You have the guts answering—"

"Mommy! Let it go! Don't give in to your anger! When she dies, we won't have a maid here anymore! We won't have a servant if you beat her to death! The coffin is expensive now and embalming the corpse is also money spending, so let it be!"

Aunt Milie pulled my hair hard around the back of my neck while her right hand slapped me three times.

"You should be grateful and Chontel stopped me!" She released me and faced her daughter who just arrived from a party. "Fuck! I lost the gamble earlier!" she complained.

"That's why you're so eager to kill that bullshit!"

Chontel looked at me.

"You, Veronne. Fix yourself! As if that you are not used to it! Go now and I'll be the one to beat you if you're not gonna leave in front of me!"

I slowly stood up and slowly walked to my room. I sat on my bed and immediately burst into tears.

I locked myself in the bathroom and immediately took a shower. When I finished, I wore a red dress. I can not take it anymore. I will end my life as soon as I can escape from this house.

If killing myself means freedom. I would like to do so.