Chapter 77
As a little girl, Celine had to take over the chores of Larry’s late wife. Each day, she washed clothes, cooked meals, and bore the brunt of his bearings.
Larry would yank her hair, kick her, and whipher with a belt. Those days were almost unbearable.
As Celine grew older, her beauty because strikingly evident in the countryside. But with her beauty came an even greater nightmare.
Larry’s lecherous gaze turned predatory. He would force her onto his lap, pressing his alcohol laden, sweat–drenched face against hers.
Bathing at night, she’d lock the door with trembling hands. But when she glanced back, she would only find his leering eyes peering through the crack, a sick grin spread across
his face
Those memories haunted her childhood like a recurring nightmare.
One day, Larry brought two of his drinking buddies home. They teased him, saying, “Tarry, why don’t you find yourself a new wife?”
Larry chuckled darkly. “My new wife’s already at home, just need a little more time to grow up.”
His friends immediately caught on, grinning knowingly, “Damn, backy you. We’d kill for that kind of luck.”
Terrified, Celine fled the house. Her hands trembled as she dialed Lucy’s number from a village payphone.
When the call connected, tears streamed down her face like broken beads. She sobbed and said, “Mom.. Mom, please save me…
But the voice that answered was Carly’s, haughty and gleeful. “Who are you? This is my mom’s phone, not yours. My mom only has one daughter, and that’s me”
Celine troze
Moments later, Lucy’s soft, doting voice came through.
“Carly, my sweet little princess, it’s your birthday today! Come see the pearl crown I got for you. Your classmates are here and asking for you. Don’t forget to perform that dance for them later, okay?
Carly nodded with joy. “Thanks, Mom!”
That day was Carly’s birthday,
Celine hung up in despair. She couldn’t return to Larry’s house, so she wandered aimlessly until she found herself in a forest.
That was where she found the gravely injured Adam.
Adam told her he’d take her away. He told her that if no one else wanted her, he would.
That night, they held onto each other for warmth. But by dawn, Adam was burning with fever. He kept muttering, “Water Water…
She left the cave alone to find herbs and water to lower his fever. But when she returned, the cave was empty
Adam was gone
She waited for him in that cave for days, convinced that he would return for her. She truly believed he wouldn’t abandon her.
But Larry found her first
He had been searching for her the entire time. He slapped her hard, sending her sprawling to the ground.
His lace twisted with rage. “You little bitch! How dare you run away! You’re mine, got it?”
Breathing heavily, he pinned her down and snapped, “Let’s see if you dare run away again!”
She shook violently, her teeth chattering with terror. Desperately, she reached for a sharp stick she’d kept for protection and drove it into Larry’s eye with all her strength. Larry collapsed, blood pouring from his face. One of his eyes was ruined forever.
Celine personally handed him over to the authorities, and Larry was sentenced to ten years in prison.
Celine closed her eyes, pulling herself free from the suffocating darkness of her past. They said an unhappy childhood took a lifetime to heal.
Over the years, she had worked tirelessly to drag her younger self out of that painful, helpless past.
She was going to save herself.
The evening breeze was cool and refreshing
Around her, couples and friends laughed and strolled down the lively streets. Feeling a sudden chill, Celine crossed her arms and held herself tight. She was all alone.
Chapter 70
