CHAPTER 4: DOOMED

Lily’s POV

"Lilly! Lilly! Wake up, you log of wood!" Annabella’s shrill voice pierced through my ears as she screamed beside me.

I groaned, reluctant to leave the comfort of sleep, but when I opened my eyes, I saw Anastasia standing at the door, arms crossed with an unimpressed expression. Of course, the twins. They made my mornings a living nightmare, and today was no exception.

"You’re in so much trouble," Annabella sneered, her lips curling in disgust. "Mum told you to wake up earlier, and it’s already 6:30 a.m. Yet, here you are, still sleeping like some useless princess."

I sighed, pushing myself up from the bed and walking past them without a word. There was no point in arguing—I had learned that the hard way.

It’s been eleven years—eleven whole f*cking years—since I was washed up by the sea and found by a kind farmer who took me in. But instead of the life I hoped for, he died, leaving me with his wife, who has done nothing but turn my life into a living hell alongside her children.

Heading straight to the kitchen, I stopped in my tracks when I saw Vivian washing the dishes.

Out of my three stepsisters, Vivian was the only one who showed me kindness. She was the only reason I hadn’t run away from this miserable life. Annabella and Anastasia, along with their mother, had made it their mission to make my life unbearable.

"Viv, what are you doing?" I asked, my voice laced with concern.

Vivian glanced at me and smiled softly. "I’m helping you with the dishes. I know you barely slept last night after doing those brats’ assignments."

Panic surged through me. "Viv, your mum is going to kill me if she sees you doing this."

"But I want to help," she insisted.

I appreciated her kindness, but I couldn’t let her get involved in my punishment. Shaking my head, I spoke gently, "Thank you, Viv, but you should go get ready for school, okay?"

Before she could respond, a chilling voice echoed through the kitchen, making my body freeze in place.

"What is going on here?"

My heart pounded. I didn’t need to turn around to know who it was. I was dead meat.

"Nothing, Mother," I said quickly, keeping my head down to avoid her wrath. "I was just scolding Vivian for washing the dishes. That’s my job."

Her heels clicked against the floor as she approached me. "And what did I say about letting my little princess do your work for you?"

I braced myself. This wasn’t going to end well.

"You said I would be punished," I muttered, a sigh escaping my lips.

What she did next was beyond what I expected—without hesitation, she grabbed the bucket of filthy water and dumped it over me.

I gasped as the cold, grimy liquid drenched my clothes, the foul stench clinging to my skin. Behind me, the twins burst into laughter, their cruel amusement echoing through the kitchen.

"Mum! How could you?" Vivian’s voice cracked with anger and disbelief. "I was the one who decided to wash those dishes—she doesn’t deserve this!"

"Shut your mouth and head to your room, now!" Jane snapped, her sharp tone leaving no room for argument.

Vivian’s hands clenched into fists. "I wish you weren’t my mum," she spat, tears shining in her eyes. "If Dad were still alive, you know you wouldn’t be doing this to her!"

Jane’s lips curled into a smirk. "Well, sorry to burst your bubble, sweetie, but your father is dead. And dead men don’t talk. Now, to your room."

I stood there, staring at my dripping shoes, my body stiff as I braced for what was next.

"As for you, daughter of Jezebel," Jane sneered, turning her hateful gaze back to me, "you are to scrub my floors until they shine. In fact, when I get back, I want to see my reflection on them."

Her eyes narrowed as she stepped closer. "You will wash the dishes, do the laundry, cook, and still make it to work. And you better be fast about it—if you get fired for being late, I’ll make sure you don’t have a roof over your head. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, Mum," I whispered.

"Good." She turned to her daughters, who were still grinning. "Girls, let’s leave her to her work."

"But Mum, aren’t you forgetting something?" The twins spoke in unison, mischief glinting in their eyes.

"What? I’m sure I gave her all the punishment she deserves," Jane said, raising a brow.

"No, Mum, not the punishment," Annabella smirked. "Lilly’s supposed to receive her salary today."

Oh no. My stomach dropped.

Jane’s eyes lit up with realization. "Ah, yes. I nearly forgot. You know the drill, Lilly—I don’t want to have to look for a single note. Hand it all over when you get home."

She turned toward the door but paused. "Oh, and don’t touch my food. You can starve for today. Or better yet, steal—since that’s the only way you’ll eat. Now, come along, girls, or you’ll be late for school."

I wiped my tears quickly, forcing myself to move. I had no time to cry.

I washed the dishes first, preparing their breakfast while still soaking in dirty water. Then, I grabbed a mop and scrubbed the floors. My life had been this miserable since my foster father died, leaving me trapped with his cruel wife and daughters—except for Vivian. She was the only light in this darkness.

Once the house fell silent and I was sure they were gone, I cleared the dining table before moving on to the bedrooms. Cleaning my room was quick—it was barely bigger than a closet—but the twins’ rooms took ages. They changed clothes at least five times a day, leaving mountains of laundry behind.

By the time I was done, exhaustion weighed on me. But I had no choice—I had to get to work.

Jane had forbidden me from going to school right after my father’s death. Instead, she turned me into her daughters’ personal servant. I endured everything because of one small hope: that Michael would come back for me.

But it had been eleven years. And I was getting tired.

At the Diner

"Lilly, you look terrible," May said the moment I walked in.

I rolled my eyes. "I know. You don’t have to state the obvious," I muttered, still damp from my earlier humiliation.

"Take it easy, baby girl," she said with a smirk. "I’m not your problem. You’re the one letting them treat you like sh*t."

I sighed, too drained to argue.

"Anyway, see you tomorrow. My shift’s over." She tossed her apron at me before strolling out.

I checked her name off the list, replacing it with mine. Then, forcing a smile, I started serving customers.

"I’d like to order four burgers and four cups of coffee," a man said.

"How would you like the coffee?" I asked, keeping my fake cheer intact.

"Two black, two with milk."

The scent of food filled the air, making my stomach twist painfully. I hadn’t eaten all day. Hours passed, and my hunger only worsened. I could barely stand.

When I couldn’t take it anymore, I grabbed a burger, stuffing it into my mouth as if my life depended on it. And at that moment, it felt like it did.

The relief was instant—until a cold realization hit me.

I had forgotten about the security camera sitting right in front of me.

Panic surged through me. My boss saw everything.

I was completely doomed.