Chapter 4 Harper

Her fingers dug into my skin roughly and painfully and I began to whimper slowly. I held my pains and let them burn in my throat. I won't give her the satisfaction of seeing me in pain.

"Did I make myself clear?"

"Yes," I replied softly and zoned out from the space entirely. I tried to get my mind out of my body so she could do whatever she wanted and leave.

I'm no longer the six-year-old Harper who will cry and scream in pain as she laughs and drinks from her glass of Scotch.

I'm an eighteen years old woman and I'm strong enough to weather the storm. I've done most of my life alone.

Mrs. Marshall grabbed my hair forcefully and hit my head on the hard floor with a thud.

"Stupid witch! I asked you a question and you had the guts to keep me silent. Who the fuck do you think you're? Fool!" She yelled.

I could taste a bitter metallic taste hit my mouth as blood dripped from my forehead that earned a cut from the hit.

"Answer me!" She yelled pulling at my hair tighter that felt as though a chunk of my rich golden hair must have pulled out.

"I'm sorry mother." My strained pained voice managed to speak out. My hair hurt, my forehead hurts and my entire body hurt from the impact the slap caused that made me fall to the ground.

Why didn't I keep shut when mother was talking? I caused all this to befall me when I knew my mother's temperament and how much she hated anyone standing in her way of bringing a different opinion from hers.

"Shut up you little worm! Who's your mother? Call me Mrs. Marshall. My child can't be a dumb nerd like you. Clara is a million times bigger than what you can ever become or come close to in your entire pathetic life!" She screamed at me.

I didn't know when the tears started dropping from my eyes. The tears and pain I've held in and swore I won't let her see them anymore.

But her words have struck a chord in my heart that led the tide of pain to come crashing in like a tornado.

"I'm sorry Mother." Sobs racked my body as I nearly convulsed with the pain in my heart and the physical pain she was inflicting on me.

She pushed me to the side as I lay sprawled on the floor and hurting. "Get your lazy ass up from that stinky floor. Don't let me wait for you downstairs. I give you two minutes to get cleaned up and fix your mess." She yelled and straightened her suit. Her palms started dusting off whatever she thought she wanted to wipe out of her clothes.

"Yes, mother," I replied quickly before my cheeks would receive slaps and my scalp grabbed tightly.

My scalp hurts and I needed to apply some ointment to help reduce the pain I felt and heal scars if there's any.

"You're not going to school today. You'll stay home and help the maids take care of things. After all, it's your Aunt Matilda isn't that right?"

"Mom, I have an exam at school. Please let me go to school. I don't want to fail." I pleaded.

"Why should you worry about some exams? You're not smart at all. Your teachers complain about your inability to solve sums. You're a dullard under the sheepskin of a Nerd." She snorts irritatedly.

I crawled out of the floor. My throat felt dry as though I swallowed nails with tears streaming down my cheeks. I stood on my feet. "Mom, I have a suggestion."

"What is it? You better don't waste my time. I'm late for work!" She exclaimed and shot me a haughty glare as I nearly froze.

I began to fidget with the hem of my pyjamas. How will she take it? I hope I don't make her yell at me. "Mom, I'm the one writing exams at school. Clara is free from exams. So why doesn't she stay back and help with the preparations? Once I'm done with my exams I'll come back home immediately. Please, mother."

"Harper!"

"Yes, mother."

She motioned to me to come closer. I didn't waste time doing that. You dare not disobey Mrs. Marshall.

My body shook in trepidation from fear of what she was going to do to me. Did I say anything wrong? Why am I the only child getting beaten, abused, and having to do a major chunk of the work all the time?

Her hands gripped my ears tightly that made me grimace as tears welled in my eyes threatening to fall.

"Who are you? Tell me! Who are you to make decisions in my home?"

"I'm sorry mom."

Her hands twisted my ears tightly and I felt the blood pounding in my head.

"Clara is a classic act from you. Why would she meddle in washing and cleaning shits? You wanna know why?" She grabbed my neck and pushed my face to hers as I stared right into her brown eyes that turned deadly.

I nod.

"When I talk to you, answer me!" She pinched my ears.

"Yes, mom," I replied with my crying voice. My chest was congested with sobs that were threatening to escape.

She licked my ears with an awkward smile.

That felt gross!

"Good girl. Clara isn't a pauper. She acts like a young lady fit for royalty. She's a gem. Perfection embedded into a walking goddess. But you're the complete opposite. Your odd dresses, ugly big glasses, stupid Miss goody two shoes attitude is sickening."

"I'll change mother if that'll make you happy." I pleaded. I've always yearned for a mother's love. For her love.

I knew she didn't like me but today listening to her tell me how different I am from my twin sister broke me harder. We're Siamese twins so we don't look alike and in personalities, we are different individuals.

Clara is crazier. She's fun-loving and adventurous. Mom barely scolds her when she's in the wrong but when it comes to me any little thing sets Mom off no matter how hard I try not to get her upset.