Bared To You

EdwinaDuring my mother's pregnancy, the midwife confidently announced that a baby boy was on the way due to my lively movements, sparking great excitement in my parents. They had eagerly anticipated the arrival of a son after having two daughters and had even chosen the name Edwin. However, upon my birth, their expectations were shattered as I turned out to be a girl, leading to my name being changed to Edwina, much to my father's disappointment.At the age of six, I had a vivid dream where I envisioned myself as the queen of a magnificent kingdom, a vision that filled me with immense joy despite the unlikely prospect of encountering royalty. I confided in my mother about this dream, and she fervently prayed for its realization. Unfortunately, my older sisters ridiculed me, labeling me "Joseph the dreamer." Esther, my eldest sister, dismissed my dream as impossible, doubting that even a royal servant would take notice of me, let alone a Crown Prince. She explained that it seemed imp

LeonidasDear Mom and Dad,Writing this letter fills my heart with overwhelming emotion. It's challenging to convey the depth of my feelings as I bid you farewell. Expressing this pains me, but I cannot pretend everything is alright in my world when it's not.I regret to inform you that I am not in the right frame of mind to continue as the Crown Prince of our great kingdom. So, I am relinquishing my rights to the throne. The time has come for me to embark on a new chapter in my life, yet you will always be in my thoughts and my heart.You've been my pillars of strength, my guiding lights, and the source of unconditional love. I regret taking that love for granted and disappointing both of you. Leaving you is difficult, but it's something I must do. Please understand that I carry your love with me wherever I go. Thank you for your endless love and support. Please take care of yourselves and don't worry about me. My love for both of you is beyond words, and I will deeply miss you.Wit

I woke up in a dimly lit room, my memory hazy after being attacked by thugs. My body ached, and my head throbbed with pain. Wondering where I was, I strained to see through the dimness. Surprisingly, I could spot a lantern on the wall and another nearby, despite the pain. A nauseating smell filled the air, adding to my confusion.Struggling, I propped myself up with my good elbow, attempting to understand my surroundings. Four walls enclosed me, adorned with only a large portrait and a wooden table tucked in a corner. There were no other furnishings or electronics in sight. The possibility crossed my mind that the beating might have left me blind, but I could discern the faint light and the room's sparse contents, so that idea was promptly crossed out."Where the hell am I?" I muttered, scrunching my nose at my bad breath before mustering the strength to rise. Stumbling across the room, I reached for the door and pulled it open, stepping outside. To my surprise, there were five peopl

Maximillian"Are you sure about this, Max?" My brother, Julian, asked me." He appeared even more nervous than I was, despite my suggestion for him to wait in the car. Nevertheless, he insisted on joining me, accepting whatever challenges awaited us."This is your last chance to leave," I warned him as the screen door opened and Darius's mother, Annis Sterling, emerged with Darius's dog, Bomer. I had missed Darius's funeral due to a coma, making this moment even more significant."No way. If anything happens to you, dad will have my head," Julian protested as Annis descended the porch steps. He questioned whether I had informed our father about our presence here, but got no response from me. "You didn't tell him?!" His eyes went wide.Just before she turned away, Annis noticed me, her expression changing from indifference to outrage. Despite her disapproval, Darius and I had always found ways to stay connected, even defying Annis's attempts to keep us apart.The last encounter between

Edwina"Why does Dad want me to head home now?" I asked my sister, taken aback."I'm not sure, but I think you might be in trouble," Evelyn replied, shrugging her shoulders."But I haven't done anything wrong," I protested. "We need to sell all these peppers today, or we'll have to use them ourselves.""Maybe you should go home. I'll stay until six," Evelyn suggested."Are you sure? Will you be able to manage bringing some things back by yourself? If I can come back to help you, I will. Otherwise, Esther will come," I said."No problem.""I'll go home and see what Dad wants," I muttered before leaving. Dad rarely called me home from the market. Whatever he usually had to tell me could wait until I got home, but this might be very important."Edwina Jonas, is that you?" A female voice questioned.I turned around, only to find myself face to face with Samantha Williams, my arch-nemesis. In a surprising turn of events, she had gained admission to a university in the city and had traveled