Broken vows Mended hearts

The wind hovered against the towering mansion, rattling the windows as dark clouds gathered above Hollywood, the grand estate of the Earnshaw family . It was a dreary November afternoon and it was also winter time which made the sprawling house seem even more colder and suffocating. Inside the common room was a thirteen years old girl named Anna. She sat curled in a corner, her hand pressed against the armrest of an old leather couch. The book in her hand, a romance novel, was the only escape she had from the cold, suffocating reality of her existence .

The warm cold glow of the atmosphere did little to ease the chill that had settled in her bones over the years. She had learned in her early life that kindness was not a luxury everyone had to give.

Her aunty,Mrs. Regina Earnshaw, had never hidden her contempt for the orphaned girl left in her care. From the moment Anna's parents died in a tragic accident, Regina made it clear that she was an unwanted burden . Unlike her own children,Victoria,Georgiana, and John who were pampered and filled with love. Anna was treated like a mere servant by her own aunty and cousins.

The words of the novel blurred before her tired eyes, but she forced herself to continue reading, determined to lose herself in a world where love and kindness existed,where orphans like her were not treated as burdens. But peace was a luxury that never lasted long in the house.

The sharp, mocking voice of her Aunt's child John Earnshaw flew as he burst hurriedly into the room without knocking. He was barely eight, but he carried himself like a king, commanding over the household with the certainty that everything and everyone within it belonged to him. " You again, hiding away with your silly books", John screamed at her, his voice filled with contempt. " You really think reading will change what you are? A nobody?". Anna sat where she was without moving an inch, but she refused to look up. Ignoring John usually made him lose interest faster. Unfortunately,today was not one of those days.

"I'm talking to you, Orphan," John continued, stepping closer. He collected the book from her hands and examined the back cover. "What's this? Another story about knights and princesses? Do you dream or imagine being rescued, Anna?No one's coming for you".

Victoria and Georgina laughed mockingly behind him. " You should thank us,you know", Victoria added, her lips curling into a wicked smile. " Without us, you have no roof over your head, no food to eat . Instead of acting like you're very important. You should be grateful". The words burned in her chest but she refused to act to Victoria's message. Grateful for being treated as less than a servant instead of a family member? Grateful for being locked away while the Earnshaw children are allowed to eat at the dining and attend special events with the elite? Grateful for being nothing more than a ghost in a house that never wanted Her? Anna shouted at John aggressively.

" Give me my book back, john". He raised an eyebrow in shock. " Oh? The little beggar is making demands? With an aggressive grin, he flipped the book open and without hesitation tore a page. The sound of the torn piece of paper sent a sharp pain through Anna's chest.

" Stop it!" She shouted, lunging for the book, but John easily held it out of reach. Her sudden movement infuriated his anger. He pushed her backward with a force that sent her stumbling against the table. Her body trembled, not from fear but from the rage that had been piling up for years, always ignored. John laughed a cruel, mocking sound.

" You're pathetic".

That was the final straw.

With a deep anger, Anna charged at him, her small fists striking his chest. The unexpected attack sent John stumbling. His pride left him immediately,he retaliated the only way he knew how, with violence. The slap came very fast and unexpected, the sharp sting spreading across Anna's cheek. She barely had time to recover before he slapped her again, sending her crashing onto the hard wooden floor. She tasted blood . The word blurred with anger and humiliation. Then a chilling voice shattered the conflict going on.

" What's going on here?" Mrs. Regina Earnshaw stood at the entrance, her eyes sweeping across the room. Dressed in an elegant silk gown, with beads labelled on the cloth , she looked every bit the sophisticated mother of the Earnshaw family. But Anna knew the truth. Beneath the expensive clothing and smiles, Regina Earnshaw was a woman made of steel and ice .

John immediately straightened,his expression shifting from cruel amusement to shocking innocence. He gave this innocent look as if it was Anna that started the fight. " Mother," He said calmly. " Anna attacked me". Victoria gasped dramatically , placing a hand over her chest . " She was so aggresive, Mother! She slapped John !". Anna's mouth widened in shock. She barely had time to process the lie before Mrs Earnshaw's gaze landed on her like a blade. "Anna", She called aggressively.

" Is this true? Anna confessed openly even though she knew Mrs Earnshaw will not take her side, but her child's own. " I didn't ". She said boldly. The single word cut through the air like a whip. Mrs Earnshaw's expression was unreadable as she slowly approached her." After all I have done for you, you choose to repay me with violence? Do you want to kill my only son for me?. Anna's stomach twisted in pain." Please, I ..."

" Shut up", Mrs Earnshaw said coldly. " If you insist on behaving like a fool,You will be treated as one". Before Anna could say a word,the woman turned to one of the housemaids standing nearby. " Lock her up in the dustbin room". Anna begin to panic heavily. The dust bin room was a place in the house that terrified her. It was full with a lot of waste dirt of the kitchen waste and the general house dirt. The room was close to the kitchen. There was no light, no fresh air. Just darkness,pressing in like a suffocating weight.She cried pitifully. "No–Please,I –".

" Take her away",Mrs Earnshaw screamed loudly.The housemaid looked at her out of pity as she grabbed her arm.

" Move," She whispered,her voice barely loud and clear. Anna's heart pounded in her chest as She was dragged down the long,empty corridors.The walls seemed to close in on Her,and with every step she began to remember her late mom, if she didn't die she will not be here living with her aunty. The maid gave her a sorrowful glance before pushing her inside and the door slammed shut. Darkness swallowed her whole. Anna sat on the cold floor, her breath coming in shallow gasps. The weight of loneliness pressed down on her as tears blurred her vision.

" If only my parents were alive", She said, her voice trembling. If only she wasn t alone in this world. If only someone would come and save her . But at that moment, locked away in the shadows of the Earnshaw mansion, hope felt like nothing more than a distant dream.