The sound of shattering glass filled the room as a lady squatted down to pick up the broken pieces. The sharp edges of the glass pierced her finger, causing blood to immediately ooze out.

"Just look at what you did, Annabel! You broke my favorite vase. You are good for nothing, just like your useless mother," scolded her aunt from behind.

Annabel pleaded, her voice trembling, "Please don't talk about my mother like that."

"Oh, shut up! She is the reason for my brother's death!" her aunt barked, causing Annabel to lower her gaze.

"If only he hadn't married that woman, we wouldn't have had a worthless person like you," her aunt added, her remarks filled with rudeness.

"My mother is not a whore," Annabel finally voiced out, unable to bear any more insults against her mother.

"How dare you talk back to me, Annabel!" her aunt exclaimed, grabbing her tightly by the wrist and pulling her up, then landing a tight slap on her face.

Tears streamed down Annabel's face as she looked up at her aunt with teary eyes, her fists clenched in rage. "Don't you ever call my mom a whore with your filthy mouth," she warned, pointing her middle finger at her aunt, leaving her stunned.

"How dare you raise your voice at me, you ungrateful little twat," her aunt hissed, giving her a menacing glare.

"I don't care. Just don't ever talk about my mother ever again!" Annabel screamed at the top of her voice.

"Annabel!" her aunt screamed, slapping her hard on the cheek. Annabel lowered her head, caressing her cheek to ease the burning sensation.

She never believed she had it in her to talk back to her aunt. This newfound attitude of hers was influenced by her best friend Juliet, who had always encouraged her to stand up for herself.

"I need you to leave my house this minute," her aunt ordered with a commanding tone.

"Where will I go from here?" Annabel cried out, unable to believe her aunt would ask her to leave.

"I don't care, just leave!" her aunt yelled, disgusted by her presence.

After losing both of her parents in a fatal accident, Annabel had no other choice but to move in with her aunt, as she was the only family she had left. Living with her aunt was hell. She treated Annabel like trash, constantly taunting her and blaming her for the death of her brother.

As Annabel wandered aimlessly in the pouring rain, tears mixed with raindrops cascaded down her face. She didn't care about getting drenched; her pain overwhelmed everything else. Strange glances from people surrounded her, but no one dared to ask what was wrong. She stood in the middle of the road, watching as people hurriedly passed by.

Eventually, the rain stopped, leaving Annabel soaked and shivering. It was the middle of the night, and she had nowhere to go. She continued to walk aimlessly on the street, searching for solace.

"Pretty lady!" two men called out simultaneously. Annabel didn't respond and kept walking, but they walked faster to catch up with her.

"Come with us so you don't catch a cold," one of them sheepishly suggested.

"I'm fine. You don't need to do anything for me," Annabel refused with fear evident in her voice. She quickened her pace to get away from them, but they followed closely behind. She turned and threw her bag at them, hoping to create a distraction and escape. However, luck was not on her side as she ran into a dead end.

"We're gonna take it easy with you," they laughed, slowly approaching her with malicious intent.Just as they were about to lay their hands on her, a commanding voice suddenly boomed from behind, sending fear coursing through their veins.

"What do you think you're doing?" the voice yelled, causing the men to freeze in their tracks.

"We aren't doing anything. We're just trying to help this lost girl find her way," one of them awkwardly lied, their eyes darting nervously.

The stranger's gaze shifted from the men to Annabel, who was crouched on the ground, trembling uncontrollably. He gave the men a cold, piercing look, seeing through their deceit.

"We're just leaving," they stammered, their confidence shattered. Feeling intimidated, they quickly turned and walked away.

The stranger, about to approach Annabel, felt a hand on his shoulder from behind. He turned to find another stranger standing there.

"There you are! I've been worried sick, looking everywhere for you," the second stranger said, receiving no response. His gaze followed the first stranger's line of sight, landing on Annabel.

"Who is she?" he asked curiously, his eyes fixed on her.

"I have no idea. I heard someone scream, so I came here," the first stranger replied. "I think we should leave now. Mom will be worried sick. And have you fixed the car?"

Ignoring his question, the second stranger continued to stare at Annabel, concern etched on his face. "Are you sure you're okay?" he asked, his voice filled with worry.

Annabel, tears still streaming down her face, mustered a weak smile. "I'm fine," she assured him, her voice trembling.

They both decided to leave her, disappearing into the night. Annabel didn't get a chance to see their faces, and they didn't get a chance to see hers.

As Annabel's phone rang, displaying Juliet's name on the screen, she hesitated before answering the call.

"Hello?" she answered with a hoarse voice, still trying to regain her composure.

"Annabel, I've been trying to reach out to you," her friend Juliet's voice boomed from the speaker.

"I...am...fine," Annabel stammered, attempting to push back the tears.

"Wait... are you crying?" Juliet asked curiously, catching the sadness in Annabel's tone.

"N...no," Annabel lied, her voice cracking.

"Don't lie to me, Annabel. I know when something is wrong with you," Juliet stated firmly, her concern evident.

Annabel took a deep breath, unable to hold back the tears any longer. She sobbed loudly, while Juliet tried to comfort her over the phone. She explained everything that had transpired between her and her aunt, pouring out her pain and frustration.

"Everything will be okay. Come over to my house," Juliet assured her, her voice filled with warmth and support.

A few minutes later, Annabel arrived at Juliet's place. Juliet lived in a humble one-bedroom apartment in the Trenches, barely enough to accommodate both of them. Annabel knocked on the door, which swung open, revealing Juliet's caring presence.

Juliet told Annabel about a job offer she had received, realizing it could be a perfect opportunity for her. They discussed it while having dinner, finding solace in their friendship.

Suddenly, Juliet's expression turned serious as she warned Annabel to stay away from the notorious Torres brothers, who happened to be the sons of the woman who had mistreated her.

"What do you mean I should stay away from her sons?" Annabel asked, her curiosity piqued.

"That's because you have no business with them. They are narcissistic idiots who have no respect for women. I've heard stories of how they've mistreated and exploited female servants, causing them to lose their jobs," Juliet explained, her face contorted with disgust.

"I will stay away," Annabel quickly agreed, understanding the cautionary advice.

"You mustn't have anything to do with them. Just focus on your work and why you came here in the first place, okay?" Juliet warned, her tone firm.

"Okay, Juliet," Annabel replied, offering a warm smile to her supportive friend.

***

"Why did we stop here?" Annabel asked, her curiosity piqued.

"I only remember the house if I take this route," Juliet replied. She took out her phone to search for the address.

"What are you looking for?" Annabel inquired.

"Hush, I'm trying to find the address," Juliet groaned.

"Okay then," Annabel muttered quietly.

"Finally got it!" Juliet announced, earning a smile from Annabel.

"Let's take this route," Juliet said, walking in the direction, with Annabel following closely behind.

After a few minutes of trekking, Annabel and Juliet finally arrived at the place. Annabel's jaw dropped when she saw the breathtaking mansion in front of her.

"Oh my God!" she squealed, her mouth wide open.

"This is the house," Juliet told her, a smile on her face.

"This isn't just a house, it's heaven," Annabel exaggerated, amazed by the mansion's beauty.

The grand mansion was unlike anything Annabel had ever seen before. It sat atop a sloped yard, giving it a regal presence. The exterior decor was exquisite, leaving Annabel eager to imagine the magnificence that awaited.