Chapter 3

No matter how much I struggled to break free from Dash’s grip, I couldn't do it. His hands felt like iron clamped around my arm.  

"What is wrong with you? Let me go!" I said firmly. I tried to make my voice sound steady despite my fear.

Dash didn't say a word. He just dragged me back into the mansion I was so desperately trying to escape, leaving his car in the middle of the road.  

When we reached the gate, I saw the two guards looking restless. Fear was evident in their eyes.  

"Sir, what’s happening?" Joaquin asked immediately.

Juan looked at us intently. He looked back and forth between Dash and me before staring at my brother's hand, which was gripping my arm tightly. I saw pity on Juan’s face when he met my eyes.  

I knew the guards were kind to me, but they were afraid. They were terrified of Auntie Melissa. Aside from Auntie Melissa's family, the guards also knew how cruel my step-family was to me. Whenever I tried to leave while being mistreated by them, they would order the guards to lock me up.  

"Why did you let her out?" Dash asked them angrily.  

"W-we thought she was ordered to, Sir," Joaquin replied, stuttering. He was clearly afraid. I just bowed my head. I knew the guards would get in trouble if I kept trying to escape from Dash.  

I couldn't blame them for their fear; they weren't just afraid of losing their jobs, they were afraid for their families too. Auntie Melissa had threatened to have their families killed if they ever spoke up.  

"If Saera tries to leave again, do not let her out," Dash ordered the two of them before walking away. I was pulled along as he walked. When I looked at the two guards, I could see the deep sadness in their eyes. But despite their sadness, they did nothing. The only thing they could do was look away.  

I gave a faint, kind smile. Does no one really love me anymore? Is there no one left to save me from the cruelty of the people I call family?.  

From a distance, I could already see Auntie Melissa waiting at the door. Her face was filled with rage. Brie and Trisha stood behind her—wide awake, as if waiting to watch my punishment.  

Dash shoved me forward when we got close. I stumbled and fell to the ground. The cold floor caught me, and my belongings scattered everywhere.  

"Did you want to escape so you could have your grandpa's wealth all to yourself?" Auntie Melissa asked in a loud voice.  

I didn't answer. I reached for my clothes on the floor, but as soon as I picked one up, it was kicked away. When I looked up, I saw Brie’s smirking face.  

"The wealth is mine; Grandpa left it to me," I answered, still looking at Brie.  

A heavy slap from Auntie Melissa landed on my face. "And now you’re talking back?!" she said, her eyes glaring.  

Brie and Trisha laughed, while Dash just sneered. "Just because she inherited something, she’s acting brave now, Mama," Brie commented.  

"She’s even answering back," Trisha added.  

Because of what Trisha and Brie said, Auntie Melissa grabbed my hair and dragged me to the room where she often locked me up. I held onto her hand to somehow lessen the pain of her pulling my hair.

I didn't beg, and I didn't cry. I knew what they were planning. And if they were going to carry out their evil plan, they wouldn't see a single tear in my eyes.  

Auntie Melissa slammed the door shut, and everything went dark. I couldn't see anything because there were no lights in the room that had been my prison for years. Not even a sliver of light peeked through.  

It was quiet inside, so I could clearly hear them talking outside. I moved closer to the door to listen.  

"Dash, prepare the papers," I heard Auntie Melissa say.

What papers?

"Okay, Mother," Dash replied.  

"Mom, when are we going to kill that maid?" Brie asked.  

"Tonight. Because I know that attorney is coming back tomorrow," Auntie Melissa said, her voice full of anger. "And Trisha, get Papa’s ashes ready. I’m going to use them".  

"Copy, Mom!".  

The noise faded, and all I could hear were their footsteps walking away. I leaned against the door. I hugged my knees and rested my head on them.

It looks like this is my end. I guess I really only go this far. Dad, Mom, Grandma, Grandpa... we will finally see each other now.  

I closed my eyes and imagined being hugged by the people who truly loved me. I fell asleep like that, only to be woken up by a loud knock. I stumbled back as the door was pushed open forcefully.  

Dash quickly grabbed my arm. Still blinded by the sudden light, I was dragged outside. It was already dark out. He shoved me into the car where Auntie Melissa, Trisha, and Brie were already waiting.  

"Where are you taking me?" I asked immediately.  

"Stop asking questions unless you want me to gag you," Brie snapped.  

I fell silent and didn't respond. I didn't want to be gagged; the last time that happened, my mouth became terribly swollen.  

We didn't drive far. Dash got out once he parked the car. When he opened my door, he pulled me out roughly. The cold air immediately wrapped around me. Dash shoved me again, and that’s when I realized we were at the edge of a steep cliff.  

Auntie Melissa, Brie, and Trisha got out of the car. Brie was holding papers. While Trisha held the urn containing my grandpa’s ashes.  

"What are you going to do with Grandpa's ashes?" I asked, my voice trembling. Auntie Melissa walked toward me. Brie quickly handed the papers to her mother.  

"Sign this, or I will throw the ashes of Don Edward into this cliff," Auntie Melissa threatened.  

Without a second thought, I took the papers and signed them quickly. I didn't even read the contents because I didn't want her to carry out her threat. I knew her—she wouldn't hesitate to do exactly what she said.  

Auntie Melissa smirked at me after I signed. She handed the papers back to Brie before stepping even closer to me. I backed away.  

"This is where your story ends, Saera," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the wind. "You were a mistake from the moment you were born. This wealth was never yours to keep".  

I looked at them—the people I had tried so hard to please, the family that had treated me like a servant despite my efforts to love them.

I didn't beg. I didn't want to beg anymore. I was tired of begging, because I knew they had no mercy. They had no hearts.  

A few more steps and I was at the very edge. When Auntie Melissa pushed me, I just closed my eyes.  

As I fell into the darkness, I didn’t scream. Instead, a cold, terrifying calmness took over my soul. With my last breath, I made a silent, powerful promise: “I will come back. I will return as a witch to punish you all”.  

The wind whistled past my ears, and the world went black.