Willow’s POV

Nobody wanted me in this world.

My biological father raped my mother, and she died giving birth to me. That was the story my brothers repeated whenever they wanted to remind me I didn’t belong.

I killed her. I was the reason everything went wrong. Every time they said it, something inside me cracked a little more. I couldn’t argue. I had long since accepted this fact, but it still hurt.

I wiped the tears off my cheeks and looked over at the bed and then at the lampshades, trying to drown out my brothers’ harsh words.

A knock came at the door.

“I’ll be there,” I said softly.

It was the same every night. One of the staff knocked to tell me dinner was ready. It was also their way of reminding me it was time for the usual. They never laid a hand on me physically, but they broke me with verbal abuse and emotional manipulation.

I pulled my biggest hoodie over my head. The hood swallowed most of my face and made me feel a tiny bit safer. I walked downstairs slowly. I already heard their laughter before I even reached the dining room.

The moment I stepped through the doorway, the laughter stopped. Like someone flipped a switch.

I sighed, kept my eyes on the floor, and pulled out the chair at the very end of the table. The table was huge, long enough for twelve or more people, but I always sat as far from them as possible. Even from there the air felt thick and heavy. I couldn’t breathe right.

I didn’t dare look up, but I knew exactly who was where. Damian sat at the head, like always. He was the oldest, ran a hotel chain worth billions, and never said much to me. He didn’t need a reason to look at me with malice. The way he looked through me was worse than yelling.

On his left sat Ryker. I was most scared of him. He could be calm one second and explode the next. I never knew what would set him off. On Damian’s right sat Grayson. He was closer to my age and already a doctor. Whenever they decided to “punish” me with words, Grayson usually started it.

They all hated me. That was the one thing they agreed on.

The moment I picked up my fork, I smelt a faint sour from the vegetables. A thick slice of bacon sat on the edge, but I’m allergic.

This had to be Alice’s doing. In front of my brothers, she played the dutiful maid. But behind their backs, but when they weren't around, she made my life a living hell in all the small, cruel ways she could manage. Spiking or ruining my meals was just one of her favorite ways to break me.

She knew I am allergic to it too. It happened when I was seven. It was the first time I ever tried bacon, I was so excited, because I rarely got meat in the house. It was so delicious I still remember the favor of it now, but a few minutes after I finished it, I couldn’t breathe, my whole body broke out in hives.

When I woke up, I was in the hospital. My brothers were sitting beside me, staring at me with pure disgust. The first sentence seeing me wake up Damien said was “Are you a pig? How do you not know you’re allergic?”

“Or are you trying to die right in front of us just to make us feel guilty? Nice try. That’s never going to happen. You’re going to stay alive and suffer every single bit of pain this world has to offer.”

So in the last decade, I became extremely careful with everything I ate. It left me painfully thin.

“Get out if you don’t want to eat,” Ryker said suddenly, voice low. “Stop touching the dishes like that. It’s annoying.”

My hands shook. I tried to hold the fork steady, but it slipped. The knife clattered to the floor with a loud bang.

Grayson gave a short laugh. “See? Can’t even hold a knife right. Must be those bad genes from her father.”

Ryker clicked his tongue. “Why can’t this bitch just leave already? She’s like a curse on the house. Ominous. Always has been.”

‘Just survive it as usual' I tried hard to tell myself.

Grayson leaned forward a little. “Mom would still be here if it wasn’t for her. Every time I look at her face I remember what that monster did. And now we’re stuck feeding her, paying for her, watching her ruin everything just by breathing.”

Ryker snorted. “Yeah. Thank God Mom’s gone. At least she doesn’t have to see this… thing… wasting our money every day.”

I cautiously picked up the knife, lowered my head, and started to force myself to eat the spoiled vegetables. I hoped them would lose interest in me.

But they kept going, voices overlapping.

“Every bill she runs up is a reminder,” Grayson said.

“Should’ve been left at the hospital,” Ryker muttered. “Would’ve saved us all the trouble.”

I swallowed big bites, fighting the disgusting taste. My stomach started cramping, but I kept forcing it down. By the time I finished everything, my insides were churning violently.

“Why the fuck did you leave the bacon?” Grayson snapped. “You really think you can waste our money like that?”

I tried to explain that I am allergic to it, but the moment I open my mouth, a wave of nausea hit me. I clamped a hand over my mouth, terrified that if I opened it, I’d throw up right there.

That only seemed to make him angrier. He kicked the leg of my chair hard. “What the hell are you doing?”

I crashed to the floor, sharp pain shooting through my body. I couldn’t hold it in anymore, a violent dry heave ripped out of me. Panicking, I covered my mouth with both hands, desperate not to throw up on their expensive floor.

Ryker snarled in disgust, “You’re fucking gross. Get the hell out.”

I couldn’t take another second. I scrambled up and ran.

The moment I stumbled into my bathroom, I dropped to my knees and threw up violently into the toilet. Nothing was left, but I kept heaving until streaks of blood mixed with the bile.

I collapsed onto the cold floor, I cried hard, then furiously wiped my face and covered my mouth so no one would hear me sobbing. I don’t know how long I cried, but eventually the sobs turned into hiccups.

When I finally pulled myself up, I walked over to my bedside table. I opened the bottom drawer and pulled out the small stack of university admission posters I’d been hiding.

Bright pictures of campuses. Lecture halls. Libraries. People my age laughing together, free.

I wanted to leave.

I wanted to graduate high school fast.

I wanted to get into a good university and never come back.

Willow’s POV

I lay in bed staring at the ceiling the whole night, tried to find out a way that I can leave, but I didn’t know exactly what I can do. I had tried to leave more than once before, but every single time they dragged me back and punished me even more severely.

The next morning, I slipped out of the house very early. The sky was still pale gray. Luckily, I did not run into anyone on my way out. I had no idea where I was going. It was too early for school to open.

I wandered the streets, until I suddenly realized I was standing in front of Harrison’s house. He’d been my best friend for years, I had come to think of him as my real brother.He was always kind to me, and his parents treated me like their own daughter. They were the kindest people I had ever known, They were like angels God sent just for me.

I was still hesitating at the front door when it suddenly swung open. Harrison jumped out with a loud “Boo!”, I nearly jumped out of my skin. He burst out laughing. “Did I scare you?”

I couldn’t help smiling a little. But the second he got a good look at my face, his grin disappeared. He stepped forward and gently cupped my cheeks with both hands. “Your eyes look like two walnuts. Were you crying again?”

I forced a small smile and looked down. “It’s nothing. Just didn’t sleep well.”

But Harrison kept watching me. He wasn’t going to let it go that easily, but right then his dad walked out. I let out a small breath of relief and quickly greeted him, “Good morning, uncle Jason.”

He gave me a gentle smile, but the moment his eyes landed on my swollen, red eyes, his smile faded, his brows pulled together tightly.

“Your brothers have been at it again, haven’t they?” His voice was lower and angry. “What they’re doing to you is completely out of line. It’s not how brothers are supposed to treat family.”

“It’s nothing.” I smiled bitterly. I suddenly remembered what I’d been thinking about last night. Uncle Jason is one of the best lawyer in our country. If anyone can give me suggestions, he must be the the most professional one.

“Uncle Jason, Do you know How...How can I move out of my brothers’ house?” I asked eagerly.

He looked a little relieved and said, “You can move out as long as your current guardian signs a document relinquishing guardianship.”

Getting Damian to sign would not be easy, but it’s y only hope.

I looked at him and asked, “Can you prepare that document for me?”

"Yeah, sure and one more thing if you really want to get out of here that much and if he didn't by chance signed it. Then I will fight for your custody kiddo. You are just like my own daughter." Jason's voice brought a strange relief to me.

"Thank you so much uncle. That meant a lot to me. " I said quietly.

It was really a good news to me. I couldn’t help to wonder my future life on my way to school with Harrison.

Harrison glanced at me and asked, “So, what are you going to do after you leave your brothers’ house?”

I looked down at the sidewalk. “I don’t know... Maybe I’ll find some part-time jobs. But I need to find a safe place to stay at first.”

“You know you can stay at my house, right? Mom and Dad would love having you around full-time. Hell, Mom already calls you her bonus daughter. ”

I gave him a small smile, but quickly shook my head. “I appreciate it, Harrison. Really. But I don’t want to bring any trouble to your family. If my brothers ever found out I was staying with you... it would get messy. I don’t want them coming after you or your parents. I need to do this on my own, somewhere they can’t easily find me.”

He let out a long sigh, running a hand through his hair. “I get it. I hate it, but I get it.” Then his tone lightened again as he nudged me playfully. “But seriously, if things get too bad before you leave, just say the word. I’ll help you pack and sneak you out in the middle of the night if I have to. No questions asked.”

I couldn’t help but laugh softly. Harrison grinned, “There she is. See? That’s the reaction I was going for. You can’t stay all gloomy when I’m around.”

“Thank you Harrison,” I said quiet, “really.”

He waved his hands casually.

At school, Harrison and I split up for class. I waved goodbye and turned the corner toward my locker. But just as I did, I ran straight into Lilith. She was standing there with two of her friends, blocking the hallway.

She was Grayson’s ex-girlfriend, and she knew way too much about me. She loved hurting me, it was her twisted way of showing Grayson how much she loved him. At first it was just occasional shoves and slaps. After they broke up, it only got worse. She started beating me so badly I’d be covered in bruises.

In the beginning, I secretly hoped Grayson would step in. We were family, after all. I used to imagine him pulling me behind him and telling her to stay away from his sister. But I was wrong. Dreams don't come true. Not for me.

He just smirked lazily and said, “She really is the rapist’s kid. Everyone hates her.” Then he told Lilith to hurry up so they wouldn’t be late for their party.

Luckily I had a way to escape them now.

I quickly turned to leave, but it was too late.

“Hey, bitch! Don’t you dare walk away,” Lilith shouted behind me.

I didn’t stop. I sped up, almost jogging, desperate to reach my classroom. The next second, someone kicked me hard from behind. I flew forward and slammed into the ground. Sharp pain exploded across my knees and palms, they were definitely scraped raw. My back throbbed too.

“I asked you to stop, are you deaf?” she sneered.

I nervously told her, “Leave me alone.”

“Aww, listen to her. ‘Leave me alone.’ So polite. Too bad no one wants you around, not even your own family. I heard they all hate you. Is that why you smell like trash every day?”

She laughed and grabbed a handful of my hair, yanking my head back. “Look at this ugly face. No wonder your brothers can’t stand the sight of you. You’re like a curse, aren’t you? Born to ruin everything.”

I winced in pain. “Please… stop.”

She clamped her hand hard around my throat and squeezed. Black spots danced in front of my eyes. I clawed at her wrist, gasping for air, but she only laughed louder.

Suddenly she punched me hard in the face. Then her friends joined in. They punched me again and again. My lip split open. My cheek swelled instantly. One eye started to shut. I curled up on the cold floor, covering my head with my arms, while they kept laughing and kicking me a few more times in the stomach and legs.

“Pathetic,” she hissed, her face inches from mine. “You can’t even fight back. No one’s going to save a loser like you.”

She held on until my legs started to shake and I thought I would pass out. Only then did she let go and shove me hard against the lockers. I slid down the wall, coughing and gasping.

I stayed on the floor for a long time. I breathed hard, every breath hurting. Pain shot through my face with every small movement. I touched my cheek and felt warm blood on my fingers. My vision was blurry.

After I could stand up, I went to the nearby washroom to clean myself, I didn’t want anyone else saw me like this.

Soon, I told myself. I would be out of here soon. I just had to hold on a little longer.

Willow’s POV

That evening, when Harrison’s father came to pick him up after school, he handed me the guardianship relinquishment document in a plain envelope. He looked at me with real concern in his eyes and told me to contact him anytime if I needed help. I was overjoyed. I held the envelope tightly against my chest and thanked him again and again.

When I got home, I went straight to my room. I packed a small bag with my most important clothes so I would be ready to leave at any moment. Then I changed into an oversized hoodie that belonged to Harrison. I often wore his clothes. They were big and soft and made me feel safe, like someone actually cared.

I paced back and forth in my room for almost an hour. Damian was home tonight, and he might leave for a business trip tomorrow. I had to get his signature tonight. There was no other chance.

I stood outside his office door, taking deep breaths. In seventeen years, I had never dared step into his room on my own. My hands shook. I told myself this was for my future freedom.

I checked my appearance one last time. I had covered the marks Lilith left on me with makeup and let my hair down to hide them. I really didn’t need extra attention and taunt.

I knocked softly, then pushed the door open and walked in. All three of my brothers were inside. Their eyes widened when they saw me standing there.

“Umm… I ha-ve some...” I tried to say it out properly but Grayson interrupted me rudely.

“Just say what you want to and stop wasting time. We don’t have time for this.”

Ryker just stared at me with pure disgust on his face, like I was something dirty he had stepped in.

I clenched my fists tight until my nails dug into my palms. I forced myself to speak clearly this time. “It is my report card. My teacher needs a guardian’s signature.”

My heart was racing so fast I could hear it in my ears. I had never asked them to sign anything like this before. I did not know if they would get suspicious.

Damian reached out his hand without a word. I quickly placed the papers on the desk in front of him. He flipped through them casually. My heart was in my throat the whole time. The guardianship relinquishment form was mixed in there among the other sheets. He could see it at any moment and everything would be ruined.

I stared at the papers, barely breathing.

Finally, he picked up a pen and signed.

I stepped forward fast and grabbed the documents, letting out a quiet sigh of relief, “Thank you.”

Then Grayson’s voice suddenly sounded right beside my ear. He asked, “Why are you acting so sneaky? Is there something wrong with the documents?”

My heart leapt again. I instinctively said, “No.”

I saw him reach out toward me, and I thought he was about to hit me. I turned my head away tightly and shut my eyes, clutching the papers to my chest as hard as I could.

But a few seconds passed.

The pain never came.

Instead, I heard Ryker ask, slightly angry, “What is wrong with your face?”

I quickly opened my eyes and said, “It is nothing.”

Grayson pushed my hair aside without asking. He must have seen the bruises. He sounded irritated as he asked, “Who did it?”

I quickly said, “Nobody.”

Damian stood up and walked over. He stared at my neck. His expression turned cold as he asked, “Did someone try to strangle you?”

I quickly denied it, I didn’t want to cause any troubles.

And I really did not want them to notice anything wrong with the documents.

“It is really nothing. I can handle it myself. I’m sorry for the troubles.”

I bowed again, apologized once more, promised I would not cause trouble again, and ran out of the room as fast as I could.

Back in my room, I closed the door and locked it. I took out the guardianship document, looked at Damian’s signature, and hid it carefully in my bag.

Damian’s POV

Looking at Willow’s bruised and swollen face, the anger burned so hot in my chest. Willow was a curse. If it were not for her, my beloved mother would still be alive. Just seeing her face every day made me want to make her disappear forever.

All these years, I made sure she felt every bit of hostility from this family. She deserved it. She should live in pain every single day. Even then, it could never wash away what she had done.

But this was our family’s matter.

We could treat her however we wanted inside these walls.

That did not mean some worthless outsider got to put hands on her.

That would be an insult to our family name. And no one can do that.

The next day, after I finished the most important company meetings, my two brothers and I drove to the school.

The principal received us in her office. She looked nervous and fidgeted with her hands as she stammered, “Mr. Damien, w-what brings you here today? Has something happened?”

I sat down in her chair, crossed my legs, and said calmly, “Yes, there is something very important.”

I leaned back slightly and added, “I am extremely dissatisfied with the safety in this school.”

She nervously replied, “Student safety is our top priority, Mr. Damian. We take it very seriously.”

I scoffed.

Ryker leaned forward in his seat, his voice cold as he sneered, “Then why has our only sister been beaten black and blue at your school for years?”

The principal gasped, “That’s impossible!”

Ryker continued without missing a beat, “Your student Lilith has been brutally assaulting Willow for years. We have the bruises to prove it.”

The principal’s face turned pale. She stammered, “That… that cannot be true. There must be some mistake.”

I looked straight at her and said, “I want Lilith’s parents here within half an hour. And I want Lilith herself to personally apologize to Willow in front of everyone.”

“Okay,” She said, “Mr. Damian. I would handle it immediately.” She then hurried out of the office.

I told Ryker to go bring Willow to the school.

After today, no one would dare bully her again. That much I would make sure of.

But soon Ryker came back alone. He closed the door behind him and said, “Willow has not come to school today.”

No way. She wouldn’t dare. I warned her she had to study hard. Our family doesn’t need a useless idiot.

I stood up from the principal’s chair and immediately pulled out my phone. I called home right away. The maid who answered sounded surprised by my question.

She said, “Miss Willow left for school as usual this morning. She was wearing her uniform and carrying her bag like every day.”

Did something happen on the way?

I sent people to search the entire route from home to school. I sent others to check every corner of the school building and grounds.

If I found out anyone else had dared to hurt her, they were dead.

But by the end of the school day, there was still no sign of Willow anywhere. I began to feel uneasy. A strange worry settled in my stomach. So, we decided it was time to involve the police.

At first, the officers at the station did not take it seriously. One of them leaned back in his chair and said, “She has not been missing for more than twenty-four hours. We cannot start a full search yet.”

But the moment I gave my full name and the name of my company, their attitude changed instantly. The lazy expressions disappeared. They sat up straight and exchanged quick glances.

They asked, “What is your exact relationship with her?”

Impatiently, I said, “I am her guardian. Now hurry up and start the search.”

But one of the officers looked at me with suspicion. He typed something on his computer, frowned, and then looked back at me.

“According to our system,” he said slowly, “you have already signed a guardianship relinquishment document for Willow. You are no longer her guardian.”