Next morning, April lay on her thin mattress, her body aching from the abuse she had endured the previous night. The pain was relentless, a constant reminder of her new reality. Suddenly, a bucket of cold water was dumped over her, jolting her awake."Get up, slave," a rough voice barked. April blinked, shivering from the cold, her body protesting every movement as she struggled to stand.She made her way outside, her steps slow and painful. As she exited the quarters, she noticed a girl with similar scars, her walk labored and unsteady. The girlâs face bore the same haunted look April had seen in her reflection, a look that spoke of suffering and despair.Before she could approach the girl, a woman in her mid-thirties, with stern features and a no-nonsense demeanor, stepped forward. "I am Lydia, the chief maid," she announced, her voice carrying authority. "You will follow my instructions to the letter, or face severe punishment."Lydia began assigning tasks to the gathered slaves. "
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