The word spread in the whole town again. There were times in the month when Sydney used to go out with Ben and Abigail. But this time it was different. There were voices behind her. She was mortified when she came to know that everyone knows about her getting married to that scary person.

She lay on the bed awake that night. She missed her father and the comfort of her home. It's been three years that she was practically homeless. Abigail and Ben were not her families. Only if her father was still alive. Next morning, she woke up early in the morning. And start doing chores. By the time Abigail was awake, there was nothing left to do. That day Abigail look into her eyes and she knew that she was looking at a living corpse. Sydney stopped talking to Abigail, Ben, and Peter. They also didn't try. Because they knew that they have failed her.

The days passed. She became more silent. Almost mute. Abigail stopped telling her about the good times. Because Abigail realized it too that there were no good times for this kid. Even Ben and Peter start looking at her with pity in their eyes. It was when she stopped looking at people's eyes. She was always found with her head down.

She was 16 years old when there was a little get together at Blake's. Even this little party included more than 70 people. She saw Jennifer and Addison that day. They looked healthy and happy. But Sydney doesn't know about it. Because she never once looked at their faces. But she heard them talking to other people. When she was serving the food to the guest she looked like a robot. A lifeless robot. Wearing a blue colored apron and with her hairs enclosed in a cloth piece, she didn't look like some 16 years old. She was thin with dark circles and her hands were worn out.

A healthy young kid was playing in the fields. He was Addison's son. A while later he started crying. Everyone was still figuring out from where this voice was coming when Sydney carried the kid and handed him over to Addison. Addison whispered I am sorry. But Sydney starts serving the dishes like she can't hear her.

The evening passed and the guest left. Only leaving a man or two. She was serving them supper when a guest spilled some tea upon himself. Sydney was asked by Mariah to show him the bathroom. She was showing him the way when that person groped her from the back. Startled and scared Sydney gasped while that person caged her and started kissing her forcefully. For saving herself she tried to cry for help but he muffled her screams.

"Relax. I was just checking you out. Now I know why Hunt wants you. He will kill me if he came to know about this. So, keep your bloody mouth shut." He said while caressing her body with his other hand. He still had her caged as Sydney was trying to hide her face with her palms.

"You might be Mrs. Hunt next time I will see you. You see I am not in town so often. But we can have fun whenever you want. I am far better than him." He said while nuzzling in her neck while tapping his body on her little weak frame.

But then he left her. A smirk was plastered on his face while Sydney fell on the floor as she covered her mouth with her shaky hands. He left her but she heard him saying "lucky bastard."

She later came to know about this person. His name was Harriot Cobe and he was one of the close friends of Arthur Hunt.

She tried to cut herself that night but couldn't. Today was so much for her to take. Watching Addison and Jennifer happy was killing her. They left her. And now she was left alone to live this life where all the men were like some beast, all ready to attack her. She wanted to die but couldn't. So, she silently prayed for death.

Summer came after winter but not for her. Her nightmares got worse. And knowing that her 18th birthday was only 20 days away was killing her. It doesn't matter how much of work she does or how much she tried to get tired but nothing was working out. She was serving the food on the table when she heard the family talking excitedly about someone's arrival. She didn't pay much attention but she knew that after five days someone important was coming.

The very next day, there were a lot of people at home. Blake's mansion was being painted where ever the paint was needed. Furniture was being polished. She got loads of work to get her mind off of her coming birthday that was indeed a nightmare for her. She didn't ask anyone who was coming or how many guests were coming.

It was the night before the arrival of the guests when she was in Maria's room, sitting on her knees to give her a pedicure. Her knees hurt but she didn't dare to complain. Other girls were curling her hairs or having facial. They were giggling and having girls talk. They were talking about impressing someone. She didn't pay attention to their words. She was more focused on Maria's feet as she knew that she can't afford any mistake.

"I still can't believe that he is coming," Sarah exclaimed in joy.

"I have heard that he is the most amazing person. And like a gentleman that he is, he never says no to pretty ladies." Rose who was 25 years old now told her sister

"How do you know any of this?" Sarah asked excitedly who was now 22 years old.

"He was in Greenhut two days ago. My friend Ana met him. He was talkative. And listens very carefully. She told me that he is amazing in the looks." Rose was telling her sisters all about that guy.

"He sounds too good to be true," Maria commented.

"I don't care about anything. But one of us has to have him. Failure is not an option." Sarah said with enthusiasm while drying her nail paint.

After completing her pedicure Sydney stayed for a minute waiting if they need anything else.

"You may leave now Aunt." Maria said and all the girls broke into laughs.

"This never gets old," Sarah said in between her laughs.

"And it will never get old," Maria replied.

Sydney was leaving the room when Rose ordered her to iron her blue dress.

She simply nodded and left Maria's room. Her mind was revising the list of chores that are needed to be done before sleeping or the things that she has to do as a first thing in the morning.

She gets into the Rose room and took out the blue dress. It was when she recalled that Abigail called for her some time ago. She went to her room to look for Abigail.

She found Abigail sitting on the bed crying. She couldn't understand. But then she looked at her open closet. A long white maxi dress was hanging in there. It was a bridal dress. She looked at Abigail.

"I am so sorry." Abigail said.

She looked at Abigail blankly. She knew Abigail was weak and can't do a thing to save her. She didn't want her pity. So, she walked forward and closed the closet and get out of the room.

It was past 12 at midnight. The whole household was sleeping. While one window was emitting yellow light. A girl was ironing a blue dress. Her fingers were thin. While her feet were killing her for standing too long. And her whole body was soaring.

She was once her father's princess but now she was just no one. After hanging that dress carefully. She was dozing off badly. She lay on her bed to get some sleep but she never forgets to set her alarm for 4:30 am.

********************

Tell me how was the chapter?

Instagram: theashlehqueen

Facebook: Ashleh Queen

Twitter: Ashleh Q