Prologue

Ava first cry was met with defiant silence, victor and catherine Ava's parent had been promised a boy, a key to unlocking a Lucrative deal ,they made a deal with a powerful partner.

They had been counting on it , planning their future ,and securing their legacy. But the ultrasound had lied and Ava was born a girl . Catherine's eyes narrowed, her mind racing with the cost of raising a daughter in a world that values first son and now she was stuck with a useless girl.

Victor's face twisted in disgust, his dream of wealth and power slipping through his fingers like sands, 'A girl' ,he spat angry ; as if the word itself was a curse.

They made a deal and Ava was a ddealbreaker.

"This useless piece of shit is going to pay the price of spoiling this deal for me" ,Victor said lowering his head to the baby face, his jaw tight and his expression angry. He said it like it is something already paid.

Chapter one : Ava's sufferings

The sun blared through the cracked window casting a rare light at Ava room.

Ava's room was a tiny, dingy cell with a narrow bed shoved against the wall. Boxes and old trunks overflowed with discarded clothes, dusty books and broken toys.

The air was thick with the smell of stale air and neglect. A single, flickering bulb cast shadows on the walls, making the room feel like a cave with an eerie sound.

The floor was cold, hard concrete and the only sound heard was the cracking of the old wooden bed frame, the blanket was thin and scratchy, which Ava often woke up with a chill running down her spine.

The walls were painted a full, institutional green and rough. The paint chipped and faded, revealing layers of old wall paper underneath. The room felt like a storage closet, a place where unwanted things were dumped and forgotten.

There was no poster on the walls, no photos, no hint of Ava's personality it was a space devoid of joy, a place where Ava ate, slept and cried in secret.

Cobwebs hung from the ceiling and the air was heavy with smell of stale air and decay, a miserable, tiny room where Ava have been forgetting.

Ava POV

The sun blared through the cracked window, a hot knife slicing into my skull , the urge to stand up ,to wake up but my body said no.

I groggy reaching for my phone, I opened my eyes a little to check the time. 7:45am .

'Shit, shit' I screamed internally and physically. 'No no I overslept, God I'm so dead '.

Dragging my feet off the bed

"Ava!!! , you wretched, fucking piece of shit !!! You are so dead" .my mother's voice Mrs Catherine screamed from downstairs. " Get your fucking self down here!".

I threw the off the covers , my heart racing . I stumbled out of bed , my feet tangling in the sheets , rushing down stairs with fear all over me , I almost tripped,I saw my mom glaring at me ,I quickly rushed to the kitchen to prepare breakfast and avoid trouble ,even though they were a lot of maids in the house I still had to serve.

The dinner room was tense, the air thick with unspoken expectations. All the family members were gathered, their faces a mix of indifference and entitlement. The visitor, Mr Daniel sat by the said of my father while my mother at the other side, his eyes scanning the room.

I rushed in with a tray of food balanced in my hands. My mother snapped, " About time Ava, serve us ".

my father didn't even glance at me , not like it was new ,I was use to it .

His eyes were fixed on Me Daniel. My brother Ethan smirked, his eyes gleaming with malice." About time, serve the food servant" , his voice dripping with condescension.

My heart squeezed at the word servant, but I brush it off, I can't afford to make a mistake. Ethan and Lucas were my father's pride, Ethan was 20, while Lucas was 19.

My hands shook slightly as I served the food, my eyes down refusing to meet anyone gaze. But still my mother criticized my every move, her voice sharp as knife. "Not too much, not too little, shit ! Just forget, you are sure a clueless child".

I didn't respond, who am I to respond unless I wanted to set my own grave.

the only person who acknowledge Ava presence was Lucas , he glanced at her ,his eyes soft with sympathy but said nothing .

Breakfast was over. I swiftly cleared the breakfast table, going to the kitchen. I scanned the room for any signs of notice, making sure no one was watching. I snatched a piece of bread and a slice of fruit from the kitchen, my hands moving quickly as I stuffed them into my apron pocket.

As soon as I made sure I was out of sight, I moved.

I slipped into my tiny room, locking the door behind me . I devoured the food in three bites,my stomach growling with hunger . the room was stifling ,the air thick with a musty smell. I didn't notice ,my focus was on the small meal I had with me .

When I was done ,I quickly changed out of my worn dress ,the poor fabric was torn and frayed.

I donned a slightly better dress, one that was still old but at least clean. It was one of the two dress I had reserved at least I will use this one to serve dinner. I said raising the dress to look at it.

My eyes darted around the room, I felt a wave of despair washed all over me, this room was like a prison, a constant reminder of my place in this family, 23 years of her hardship.

I often wondered if anyone would even notice, I disappeared, would they care. I laughed at myself, my miserable laughter echoed in the room "care" I said to myself, repeating the word like it was forbidden. 'doubt they would '

I took a deep long breath, steeling myself for the dinner ahead with their guest. " I have to be careful " I mumured to my self. " I have to be careful "I said again because my family temper was like a ticking time bomb .

DINNER AND ANNOUNCEMENT

LUCAS POV

My mind kept wandering to why our parents hated Ava so much, she did nothing wrong.

For years as much as I can remember, I have watched her suffered, it wasn't a new something, I just hoped it could end.

I looked up to her as my big sister, she has that confidence, that bravery and I really admires her as my sister, she is indeed beautiful if only she had her will. My thoughts were cut off by a knock on the door. " Sir, dinner is ready please proceed downstairs for dinner", she said.

I dismissed her and found my way down for dinner

*********

Dinner was a lavish affair, with multiply courses and fine chinese delicacies. the family was in a high spirits, everyone was joking and laughing, my father was chatting with Me Daniel.

Then I saw Ava, moving around the table, serving and clearing dishes trying to stay out of the way. But it was of no use because mother spotted her, her eyes narrowing. "Ava, you are spilling food on the table cloth, can you not see it is expansive, clueless girl can't even do one thing right". Mother spitted at her.

My brother Ethan chimed in, "yeah Ava, you are sure a disappointment, know where u belong".

Ava eyes welled up with tears, But she bit her lips and kept going, her tears threatening to fall.

"Mother maybe we should......"

But Mother cut me off," Mind your business Lucas and eat your food, Ava needs to learn her place".

"But mother this isn't right"

mother glared at me warning to shit My mouth.

"Yeah brother just eat your food "Sophia said

I glared at her but said nothing

Dinner continued, with my family treating Ava like servant. Mr Daniel watched, his eyes unreadable but said nothing. I looked at Ava with sympathy. Sadness but said nothing.

AVA POV

I felt a pang of happiness when Lucas tried to defend me. But I knew he couldn't do anything, he didn't have the upper hand.

As evening came, I felt tired, I felt suffocated under the weight of my family cruelty. When dinner was coming to an end. Plates were being carried, and the table were being cleared, my mother stood up, a broad smile spreading across her face.

" I have an announcement to make", she said her eyes sparkling with excitement." we are hosting a party tonight,,, and we will be expecting some important guests".

The family members exchanged glances, Mr Daniel raised an eyebrow," A party you say ? Sounds like a wonderful idea".

My heart sank as mother continued.

" We'll need everyone's help to make it a success, oh and Ava you will be serving of course".

Ethan chuckled," yeah, Ava's got plenty of practice being a servant".

Everyone burst out laughing, Ava face burned with embarrassment, but kept her eyes down, trying to blend into the background.

Mrs Catherine continued," The party will start by 8pm. I expect everyone to be of their best behavior".

As the family began to disperse, I felt a sense of dread wash over me. I pray that this party won't be a disaster.

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