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.

Anna's body trembled, her fragile fame curled up in the suffocating darkness of the locked room. The absence of light made the space feel smaller, the air heavier. Her chest tightened painful as she gasped for breath, her hands holding her throats. She had been holding back her pain, trying to stay strong, but now, terror clawed at her inside that she could not hold her pain. She screamed at the top of her voice. " Aunty!" Banging the dustbin room door. " Please ... I can't breathe well!" . There was no answer.

The house remained silent except for the muffled crackling of the dying fireplace downstairs. Her knees ached her as another wave of dizziness hit her. The shadows in the room seemed to dance around her, mocking her helplessness. She tried to take a deep breath but it only made her chest tighten further. Her vision blurred . The walls felt like they were closing in on her.

–-----------------------------------------------------------------

When Anna's eyes opened widely. She was no longer trapped in that suffocating room.

Instead, she was lying in a sterile, white walled space , the smell of Antiseptic entering her nostrils. The beeping of medical equipment rang softly around her. " You're awake", a voice murmured. She turned her head weakly to see a tall man in a white coat standing beside her bed. It was Dr. Collins, The Earnshaw family doctor. His face was filled with concern,his sharp eyes studying her calmly. Anna's throat was dry. She tried to speak, but her voice came out as nothing more than a deadly whisper. " Here, drink this." Dr Collins handed her a glass of water. She sipped it slowly,feeling the cool liquid soothing her dry throats. It was then she realized how weak she felt. Her arms were trembling slightly as she held the glass.

" Do you know where you are?" The doctor asked calmly. Anna nodded faintly as she looked round the place. " The hospital," She whispered. Dr Collins took a deep breath, pulling up a chair beside her. " Anna, do you know what happened to you?" She hesitated

before answering . " I ... I couldn't breathe", She admitted. " I felt trapped and everything went blank". " Well, you had an asthma attack", he said gravely. " A strong one. Why didn't anyone tell me you were asthmatic?"

Anna lowered her gaze. The truth was, no one cared enough to mention it. Dr Collins frowned his face in concern. " You shouldn't be locked in small, dusty rooms . That kind of environment is dangerous for someone with your condition". A lump formed in Anna's throat, but she forced herself to remain calm. The doctor stared at her slightly. "Tell me, Anna ... What's going on in that house?" She stiffened. " You're safe here,"he assured her. " No one can hurt you. But I need to know,how are you being treated at the Earnshaw estate?" . Anna's Lips shaked out of fear. She wanted to tell him everything. How her aunty barely acknowledged her existence, how her cousins treated her like a servant, how she was given the hardest chores and the smallest portions of food. Tears filled her eyes as she swallowed the lump in her throat. " Please... Please don't tell my aunt", She whispered."She will make things worse for me". Dr. Collins' expression changed.

" Worse? Anna, What exactly is happening to you?" She hesitated at first, but something about the Doctor's kind eyes made her feel assured and at peace.

She took a deep breath as she spoke. " I'm not treated like a family", She admitted. " My aunty doesn't want me there. She only took me in because of my mother". Dr. Collins looked nervous but he let her continue. " I cook, clean, fetch water and I do all chores all day". Sometimes I don't eat until late at night, after everyone else is asleep". The doctor stamped his feet on the floor. " You're thirteen, Anna. You should be in school. You should be cared for". She lowered her gaze, her fingers holding on to the hospital blanket. " Please", She whispered again. " Don't tell her. If she finds out I told you, she will punish me". Dr Collins took a deep breath, his eyes meeting hers. Finally, he nodded. " I promise I won't tell her". She had a soothing relief calming her nerves but it was short lived.

" But I'm not going to let this continue", He said firmly. " I will convince your aunty to send you to school". Anna's breath caught in her throat. School?

" She won't agree," she said quickly, shaking her head. " She thinks I am a burden to her and her family". " Then I will convince her and make her see it as a necessity," Dr Collins said, giving her a gleam of hope.

" You deserve an education, Anna. You deserve to have a better future". For the first time in years,a flicker of hope was Filled in Anna's chest.

That very night, as she lay in the hospital bed , She overhead gossp voices just outside her door. " That girl is nothing but trouble,"A familiar voice hissed. Anna's heart pounded. She recognised that voice, it was Martha, one of the Earnshaws maids.

" She's her mother's daughter", Another voice, softer but filled with sadness, replied.

" And you know how that ended". Anna tried to process their words. What do they mean?. Martha gave a mocking reply. " The Earnshaw never forgave her mother. That woman brought the family into pure shame by marrying a clergyman". " She loved him", The second maid argued. " And he was a good man. But you know how this family is. They wrote her off the moment she chose him". A chill ran down Anna's spine. The second maid exhaled. " Did you know that Anna's grandfather cut her mother out of the will completely?". Anna opened her mouth wide in shock. Her late parents never told her anything about this. The hallway outside felt silent. Anna's breathing left Her. Her mother had been erased from the family wealth? That meant, if her parents had been supported, they wouldn't have struggled. A cold realisation settled deeply in her chest. She had never truly been a part of the Earnshaw family. The following morning, Dr. Collins entered the room with a calm and reassuring look on his face. " I spoke to your aunty", he said. Anna sat up immediately in happiness. " She agreed," he continued . " Agreed to what?" She asked cautiously. " You're going to school, Anna". Anna's breath caught in her throat . This was exactly what she looked forward to. Her chance to leave the Earnshaw Estate. But before she could respond, she caught sight of something over the Doctors shoulder. Standing in the doorway,dressed in her long, casual gown was her aunt Regina. Her dark eyes stared at Anna's, her lips pressed into a thin, unreadable line. At that moment, Anna knew, this wasn't going to be easy. Her so-called freedom would come at a price.

Anna's heart pounded as her aunt stepped into the hospital room. The air grew heavier, and a cold chill crawled up her spine. Aunt Regina's expression was unreadable, her sharp eyes scanning through Anna before turning to Dr. Collins.

" You had no fucking right", Mrs Regina said,her voice calm but filled with anger. Dr. Collins didn't make a move. " I had every right, Regina. Anna is a child. She deserves an education, proper care, and a future and this is something you have been denying her of which is not fair". Regina's jaw tightened. She stared at Anna, and for a moment some silence stretched between them.

" You want to go to school?" She asked her.

Anna swallowed hard, her fingers twisting into the bedsheet. She had never been given a choice before. This felt like a trap to her.

"I...." She stammered out of fear.

Regina stepped closer, lowering her voice.

" You think school will change anything? Do you believe you'll be anything more than what you are?". Anna twisted her fingers confused on what to say. "I don't know," She admitted, forcing herself to meet her aunt's gaze. " But I want to try". Aunt Regina studied her, something unreadable flickering in her eyes. Then,She turned back to Dr. Collins.

" Fine," She said. "She can go to school". Anna's breath left her. Just like that?

"But," Aunt Regina continued, her lips curling " She will still fulfil her duties at home. She will wake before dawn to complete her chores before school, and when she returns, She will work until nightfall. I won't tolerate laziness". Anna's stomach twisted.

Dr. Collins grinned . " That's unacceptable. She needs time to rest and time to study.

" Or she doesn't go at all", Aunt Regina cut in smoothly. " Those are my rules and terms. Take them or leave them". Anna's chest began to shake. The hope she had felt just moments ago began to dim.

" You can't do this", Dr. Collins said, his voice lowering and filled with anger." After all She's not a servant, Regina".

Aunt Regina's stare deepened. " Oh, but in my house, She is".

There was silence over the room for a while. Anna could feel Dr. Collins' frustration, but she also knew her aunty too well. If he pushed too hard,She would take back her offer entirely. Anna took a shaky breath. " I will do it," She said calmly. Dr Collins turned to her.

" Anna,You don't have to". " I will do it," She repeated, louder this time. She met her aunt's gaze with quiet resistant. " If that's the price,I will pay it". Aunt Regina laughed out a mockery laugh. "We will see how long that lasts". Without another word, She turned and walked out of the room, leaving behind a suffocating silence. Dr. Collins ran a hand down his face. " Anna, this isn't fair".

" It's the only way," Anna said , trying to steady her shaking hands. " If I don't accept, She would not allow me to go at all. But by this way,I will have a chance". Dr Collins exhaled sharply. "Then I will check in on you. If I see that you're struggling". Anna forced a smile. " I've been struggling my whole life, Doctor. I can handle it". But even as she said the words , a seed of doubt planted itself deep in her heart. Because she knew Aunt Regina and she knew this battle was far from over.

The following week, Anna stood outside the grand gates of Brixton academy,a prestigious school reserved for children of the wealthy elite. The towering building loomed before her,elegant and intimidating, with polished stone walls and towering windows that shone in the morning sun. She clutched the straps of her worn out school bag, her stomach turning as she watched the other students arrive in pristine uniforms, their heads held high as they laughed and chatted with friends. She didn't belong here. The realization struck her harder than she expected. She was just the poor, unwanted orphan of the Earnshaw family. A girl who had spent her days scrubbing floors, not attending fancy schools.

"Move," A sharp voice whispered behind her. Anna barely had time to turn before a girl shoved past her,nearly knocking her off balance. The girl had pink curls and cold blue eyes, her uniform crisp and expensive looking.She stared at Anna's second hand clothes with a disgusting look. " Who let a beggar in?" Laughter erupted from the group behind her.Anna felt very embarrassed.

She opened her mouth to respond but stopped. She recognised the girl. It was Charlotte Earnshaw,Her cousin. Anna's heart pounded heavily. She hadn't expected Charlotte to be here. Charlotte itched her head, amusement flickering in her eyes.

" Wait... don't I know you?" She said mockingly. " Oh, that's right. You're the little maid who lives at Aunty Regina's house!"

There was a roar of laughter at the back. Anna didn't say a word, She just kept on staring at her. Charlotte smirked." You may have tricked Aunty Regina into letting you come here, but don't think for a second that you belong here".

With that She turned on her heel and walked away, her group of friends following closely behind.Anna stood frozen,her heart beating fast and confused on what to say.

Not long After, She got a call from the principal of the school. She went to her office, sitting stiffly in the chair waiting patiently for Mrs Thompson in her office. Mrs Thompson was a tall woman with sharp eyes and an air of authority,folded her hands on the desk and looked at Anna with a measured gaze.

Mrs Thompson:" Anna Earnshaw, I called you here for an important matter. Do you have any idea why I called you?". Anna hesistated, gripping the edge of her worn out school bag. " No ma". The principal sighed and passed her a letter across the desk towards Anna. " This is an office from the school administration department. According to our records, your school fees have not been paid in full. In fact, you still have a large outstanding balance".

Anna swallowed hard. "But.... I thought my aunt..." She cut her words, realizing the truth before she could finish. Of course, Aunty Regina hadn't paid.

Mrs Thompson:" Your guardian was informed so many times. This is the third letter we have sent home. Did she mention anything to you about this?". Anna shook her head, her fingers tightening around the paper. " No, ma. She never told me anything about it". The principal's lips pressed into a thin line.

" Anna, if your fees are not settled soon,you will no longer be allowed to attend classes". Anna's stomach twisted in pain, She had fought so hard to be here. And now, if things were not acted fast , it could be taken away".

Anna:Please ma, I didn't know about this. I will talk to my aunt, probably she forgot.

The principal raised a sceptical brow.

" Anna, your aunt is fully aware. I personally spoke to her on the phone last month and she assured me that the payment would be made". Anna felt her breath left her, at that point she didn't know what to say again.

Mrs Thompson:" I will give you to the end of this week. If your fees are not paid by then, you will not be able to return to Briston academy". Anna's heart began to beat fast . She knew exactly what her aunt would say. She would tell her that she never intended for her to stay in this prestigious school. That she had only placed her here temporarily until she found a better alternative for her. That she didn't deserve to sit in the classrooms as the rest of the wealthy children

" I understand ma," She said gently. The principal studied her for a moment before nodding her head." I truly hope this get resolved, Anna. You have potential. It would be a shame to see it go to waste". Anna forced a nod,but deep down inside her. She was afraid. She had come so far. But was it all about to slip through her fingers?