All Chapters of SOUL TANGLE: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

FLASHBACK. ABOUT SIX YEARS AGO “Let’s see. I will forget all this ignominy that you have brought upon me and this entire family. I will forgive you, Ayana, if you only tell me that that moron you were shamelessly fooling around with is on the way right now to marry you." My father’s despotic tone echoes, shooting an arrow directly into my bleeding heart. How I wish that was the case. At least I would leave this house, and he wouldn't have to look at me with this shame and hurt. Ooh, how I wish! “No, Dad! I am sorry, but there will be no marriage. He won't take responsibility either.” I hiccuped, my face almost sweeping the floor with shame. I cannot bear to look my father in the eye again. The scorching heat of his breathing on the side of my face is cogent evidence of how enraged he is right now. My eyes are pools of tears. My nose is all red from blowing it. And my head is a whirlwind of emotions. The shame I am feeling right now is immeasurable. I wish the ground would open up

“You never learn, do you?” Cynthia says, standing in front of me. Her tone is full of hatred, as is her stare. But I am used to this. Ever since I became the family’s bad omen, she has forgotten even her respect for me as her elder sister. “I can't believe that you are now fooling around with your student. Where did your morals go, Ayana?I closed the tiny gap that was between us, my heart throbbing with anger. She does not have any right to speak to me that way.“You watch your mouth before I shut it for you, Cynthia! I am still your elder sister before anything. I demand some respect!” I fume, and for heaven’s sake, she better not stroke my demons.“Respect?” She sneers, taking a step back and smirking sarcastically. “Does that word even exist in your vocabulary? Did you stop even for a second to think of respect when you almost dragged our family name into the mud? When you were shamelessly throwing yourself at that nobody,A resounding slap across her face sends her staggering back

The sun is kissing the sky, bidding goodbye to the light of day, and ushering in the darkness of night. Another day is gone. Another miserable day is behind me. Unfortunately, I still have no idea when bright days will come my way. The day I break free from this cursed cage. I spent the whole day banging my head about what my family would be interested in speaking to me about after so many years of treating me like a bad omen. The black sheep. The only stain in their stainless name. Like a stain on gold. But all I managed was to hurt my head because nothing came to mind. And since I knew they were not worth ruining the little peace I have in this cage, I dropped the issue and carried on with my day like I always do—with my paintings and my precious daughter. One thing was amiss, though. My student is Robby. He did not come for lessons today for the weird reason that I can’t wrap my fingers around. It is the first time that he has missed his lesson since we started. How so? That is wh

Hello, heaven! Are these games or what? They will let me do all that? Even giving my child their name? They finally want to expose the bad omen that they have been hiding for years. Expose the stain that they have pulled all strings to cover? At the expense of what? I should perhaps be melting with glee and hope, wondering what sort of miracle has been achieved, but, naah! I am not that stupid. When the deal is so enthralling as this one, summon your ninth sense. What is the deal here because I know they cannot just develop some damn consciousness overnight? “I thought, as a loving parent, you should be jumping up and down with the news. This is what you have always wanted for your child, right?” I turn to my mother, then I cruise my eyes around them. Seriously? What do they think of me? What kind of idiot do they think I am? “I am not as stupid as you people think I am. There is more to this sugarcoated offer. What is it? What do I have to sacrifice in return?” I quiz. They trade

Minutes have passed, and I am beginning to relax after managing to calm Lyana down. My left cheek is still burning, and honestly, I don’t even want to imagine how it looks because I feel like the skin is peeling off. However, despite the pain, I have been able to suck the tears back just to pretend to be a strong gem for the sake of my daughter. But I swear, even my head is spinning now from the impact of that slap.And all for what?What earned me that, huh?Because I stood my ground? Because I refused to be traded like a piece of trash? Because I spoke my mind? Well, they might as well go get a gun and shoot me right in the head because nothing, and I mean nothing whatsoever, will make me allow this injustice. I am not bowing to their evil scheme for anything.“Child? Come to…”I grab my mother’s hand and slap it away before she can even touch the hem of my daughter’s dress. Filthy hands! Worthless grandmother! The nerve!I rise up slowly, my teary eyes glued to her. I toss my quive