I silently watched how the sun gave light to the world. The green mountain ranges and trees were soothing to the eyes, as well as the sounds of the splashes of water from the still lake every time I threw a stone. The breathtaking scenery brought comfort to my heart.

“This is my escape.”

A few hours from now, the sun will vanish completely. Darkness will prevail for the rest of the night.

For normal human beings, the night is something to fondly anticipate. But for some unusual creatures like me, it wasn’t.

As much as possible, I didn’t like the sun to set.

After realizing that I was still in reality, I hurriedly stood up, grabbed my bag which contained my scratch papers and some sort of old pens, then I started walking away.

It’s bad timing. The moon will be in full bloom when the evening comes. I shouldn’t be staying outside during these critical hours. I had to go home before it gets late. Not because I was afraid my father might kill me if he finds out I'm still not home. . . but solely because I didn’t want somebody to see me in my unusual form.

I was completely different from normal people. They would surely despise me after seeing me in that form. Or worse, they might hurt me or my family.

"Disrespectful! You’re indeed a monster! Your father must throw you out of this house!"

Suddenly, my evil stepmother's remarks flashed through my mind. Memories from our never-ending fight resurfaced in my head.

How could she call me names when She was the main reason why I became like this?

Can she be considered as a family?

I smiled bitterly as I continued heading home. I knew the answer. It would always be no and never. She will never be part of the family I had.

My heavy heart and teary eyes still badly wanted to spend my time sitting near the lake to freshen up. If only I could escape from home, then I would.

Our different cultures and beliefs couldn’t meet at the same point, that's why we always ended up arguing. And because my father was busy working during the day, he had no idea we were constantly fighting like cats and dogs for what seemed like an eternity.

Not until I went home.

Everything will surely have an end.

As the sun was getting ready to set, I had finally arrived home. I badly wanted to rest in my room but as soon as I opened the door, bewilderment lingered before my eyes.

Father was staring straight at me without any hint of joy in his eyes. Whilst, Belinda was sitting on the couch, sobbing.

Strewn papers, broken glasses, and other things were scattered on the floor. It looked like there was a storm that hit our home. I instantly frowned at the sight of these.

I couldn’t help but stare at the scene unbelievably. I was about to raise a question to my father when he abruptly cut me off.

“What have you done, Aurelia? I thought everything’s going well. Now, what did you do to your Aunt Belinda?” Father’s deep voice greeted my ears. It was the tone he rarely used. It means he was mad and dangerous.

I instantly scanned her from head to foot. She had bruises on the side of her lips, on her wrist, and even on her legs. It seemed like she got into serious trouble.

“What are you talking about, Father? What happened to her? And what happened here?”

I stared at Father blankly, perplexed and concerned at the same time. He just clenched his jaw, probably enraged at my reaction.

“Now you’re asking me what happened to her? No, Aurelia. What did you do to her?!” The infuriation in his voice was vivid. I almost trembled in fear.

But what struck me the most was his accusation against me.

My jaw dropped as I was trying to process his remarks. Hurt her?

His eyes were bloodshot as silence filled the air. His stares were full of anger. But he seemed like he was controlling his temper. He’s holding his grip, afraid that if he loses the last string of his patience, he might hurt me.

“She hurt me, Ignacio. We argued, she disrespected me, and she beat me,” Belinda continued crying like an infant.

I wanted to roll my eyes.

"How can she do this to me?!" she went on, overreacting.

My forehead creased to the point that anytime it might tear apart. My thoughts were haywire but I knew to myself I couldn’t make those things to Belinda. I loathed her but I couldn’t hurt her like that.

“I didn’t do anything to you, Belinda. Could you stop lying?!” I couldn’t help but raise my tone. “Father, she’s telling lies. You know I can’t do anything bad to her.”

My gaze was drawn to my father's dead serious expression. There has been no change. His eyes remained enraged, and it gave me chills. I'm starting to tremble in fear. My knees were deteriorating.

I'm not at fault, but being blamed for something I didn't do made me want to cry.

“You know me better, Ignacio. You have witnessed all the hardship I’ve gone through just to take care of your rebellious daughter. I did everything. I didn't even lay a finger on her but Aurelia did this to me in return for my good deeds and concerns! She disrespected me countless times!”

I bit my lip so hard, holding my grip tightly. I wanted to prove to my father that she was telling lies. But how can I when he was already blinded by the lies?

"Is that true?!" he yelled as his sharp gazes turned to me once again.

It was as if at any time, he could lay a hand on me. I’m damn afraid yet I wanted to defend myself.

"F-father..."

"Ignacio, listen to me. You should discipline her. Don’t tolerate that rebellious daughter of yours!" the best actress continued crying as if she was totally hurt.

Suddenly, my system was filled with uncontrollable rage. I desperately wanted to hurt her so that her accusations against me would be proven correct.

The last straw of my respect for Belinda was losing. I’m afraid I might attack her at any time now. I knew I couldn’t control myself once I’m in my werewolf form.

“Shut up, Belinda! Stop telling lies---” I continued defending myself.

“You shut up, ungrateful brat!”

“Stop it, you two!"

We were silenced by Father’s yell. I knew he was pissed. I must watch out for my words. But why would I though? I’m the victim here in the first place! I have no fault at all!

“I’m so done with your lies, Aurelia. I didn’t raise you to be this worst! Yes, you are the worst! You have disrespected your Aunt, told tons of lies, failed your studies, and now you’re trying to deceive me. You have never learned your lessons.”

I was taken aback by his words. I couldn't seem to keep up with everything. All I could feel was the pounding of my heart. I was in pain.

How could a man I used to love so much hurt me with his sharp words? After I forgave him for his past mistakes, this will be the exchange? He didn't even bother to listen to what I had to say. All he had believed in was her mistress.

That person was the reason I was stuck in this dreadful life.

If only my mother hadn't died so early...

If only my mother was still alive...

Things would be different if she was still here. I wouldn't have to put up with this never-ending agony. She was not going to let me get hurt. She was not going to let these things happen.

But when that mistress came into our life, she didn’t only steal my father’s love for my mother. But she also ruined our life. She ruined my life. And she wouldn’t stop destroying my entire existence.

Warm liquids were starting to form in the corner of my eyes as I repeatedly shook my head out of objection. My system was filled with anger especially when my Father muttered, “I have made up my mind. I’m sending you to Valle de La Muerte.”