CHAPTER 1

        ELENA’S POV

"You thief!" Alana screamed, her voice was harsh. I looked up at her, my face wet with tears, my hands clutching the doll I had taken from her room.

I opened my mouth to protest, to tell her that I had no intention to take it, that it was an accident. But the words were caught in my throat, and all I could do was stand there, frozen, as she continued to yell.

"I knew I couldn't trust you," she spat. "I knew you were nothing but a common thief, a worthless orphan. It's no wonder your mother died, giving birth to a useless thing like you. She couldn't bear the shame of giving birth to a thing like you. ” 

The words cut deep, like a knife to my heart. My mother's death had always been a painful memory, and now to have it used against me in such a cruel way was too much to bear. I felt my knees go weak and I sank to the ground, my whole body shaking with sobs.

Alana's mother watched me, her face twisted in a sneer. "You'll never amount to anything," she said, her voice like ice. "You're nothing but a burden, a mistake. Your mother should have known better than to bring you into this world."

I dragged myself into my room, dropping the doll on the floor.

“ Pick it up. It's yours now. My daughter can't share things with a demon like you. ” Alana's mother called out.

I picked up the doll and went into my room, looking out of the window. My memories at the orphanage flickered in my mind. It was the only time I had rest.

Which memory can I lay my finger on as the best? The chasing of the butterflies that sucked nectar from Father Philip's garden or the group mobbing of the hall where we all competed to squeaky clean the whole hall and get rewarded with some piece of cake? 

Perhaps the singing of different melodies and dancing around the courtyard. Either way, the memories still linger.

The afternoon was a very pleasant one, we were done with cleaning the whole compound when Amaya called me into one of the rooms.

" Why'd you call me here? You know the nuns will go mad if we ain't in the hostels. ” I said, wearing a broad smile.

" Yes, I'm going to make it snappy. Close your eyes,” she said.

" What for? ” I asked, looking puzzled.

“ Just close it. ” she insisted.

" Okay, okay. ” I replied, closing my eyes as her hand wrapped around my neck." What are you doing, Amaya? ” 

"Open your eyes, Elena," the voice whispered in my ear. I could feel a soft breath on my chin as the words were spoken.

Slowly, I opened my eyes, and what I saw took my breath away. Hanging from my neck was a beautiful necklace, glinting in the light.

"Happy birthday, Elena. Do you like it?" she asked.

"I love it," My heart became overwhelmed with joy. It wasn't the most expensive or the most beautiful necklace I'd ever seen, but it was perfect.

It looked dirty yet I admired it. We don't get many gifts in the orphanage, but that piece of necklace was the best gift so far. 

"We should probably head back to the dormitory," she said, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. "I don't want Sister Agnes in our case."

I laughed and followed her, letting her lead me back to the safety of the dormitory. Amaya and I had been inseparable since we met at the orphanage. 

We were like sisters, sharing secrets and protecting each other from the cruelty of the world. Though we were different in many ways, we had one thing in common - a past full of loss and heartbreak. However we had each other, and that was enough.

The kids cheered as I entered the dormitory, "Happy birthday to you!" They sang.

I beamed, feeling their warmth and love as we danced and celebrated together, I felt a sense of belonging and happiness that I hadn't felt in a long time. But just as the party was getting started, the door swung open and Sister Emilia entered, with a serious face. 

"Elena, someone is here to see you," she said, with a hint of suspicion in her voice. "And happy birthday to you, my dear," she added with a smile.

I was stunned. Who would that be? I can't remember getting visitors here. No one to adopt me nor claim I'm his daughter. Well, I had to find out.

With heavy steps, I approached the priest's office. My heart was pounding in my chest as I stood at the door, clutching the handle tightly.  Finally, summoning all the courage I had, I opened the door and stepped inside.

The nun excused herself and left me alone with the priest and the good-looking man. I inhaled deeply, confusion written all over my face. What could an elderly man want from a five-year-old girl like me?

“ Have a seat, my child.” the priest said, his gaze shifting to the piece of paper he was looking at.

I moved and sat beside the man. I couldn't help but feel uncomfortable. Should I be bothered by the cringey smile the man gave me? I needn't look at his face I thought 

“ This man here, Identifies to be your father. What's your say? ” the priest asked, as he smiled at me.

An awkward silence arose. What was he expecting me to say? I hadn't met him before. I just kept on looking at him, a smile on my face. It was truly a cringey situation. 

"Before we begin the adoption process, I think it's important for you to have a chance to get to know each other," the priest said. He rose from his chair and walked out of the room, leaving the man and me alone together. The silence that filled the room was deafening. I couldn't think of a single thing to say. 

After a few minutes of awkward silence, the man turned my chair so that I was facing him directly. I could feel my heart beating fast in my chest, and my palms were sweating.

"What's your name, dear?" he asked in a gentle voice as if he could sense my fear.

"Elena," I said, my voice barely audible.

"Elena," he repeated, smiling at me. "That's a beautiful name."

I managed a small smile in return. 

"My name is Edward Woods," he said, his voice gentle and reassuring. "And I'm your father. I know this is a lot to take in, but please try to stay calm."

I could feel my heart racing, as I could barely breathe. "You're my father?" I asked, with a trembling voice.

"Yes, I am," he said, with a very soft tone. "I loved your mother very much."

"But...but how did she die?" I asked, the words spilled out of my mouth even before I could stop them.

"That's a long story, but I'll try to make you understand.” he replied, taking in lots of air and finally exhaling.“

"Your mama was the most beautiful woman I've ever known," he said softly. "And guess what? You have her eyes." He reached out and gently touched my cheek, and I couldn't help but crack a smile.

Even though the situation was strange and overwhelming, there was something about him that felt comforting. His words and his touch were so gentle, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of peace in his presence. 

She loved you so much from the day she found out that she was pregnant with you.

"Sweetie your momma started bleeding some weeks after you were born," he said, holding my little hand and speaking with a voice filled with sadness and regrets. 

"It's just the way nature works, you see. The world gives us beauty, but it also takes it away. 

‘’Sadly, She passed away some days after you were born, which means she became an angel in the sky, my love’’ He said trying to force a smile while gently rubbing my little hands. 

Mama might not be here with you but she’s always watching over you. You're a part of her, always. She will always be with you."

Baby I promise to protect you just the way your mommy would have done. 

I sat there, silent and still, trying to make sense of what he was saying. I didn't know what to say, so I just listened.

  

"I have an idea," he said, his voice low and soothing. "Why don't we go back to my place for a cup of ice cream and we can talk about all this?"

Just then, the priest came in, a smile on his face. "Am I interrupting something?" he asked, clearly amused.

"Not at all, Father," the man said, turning to face him. "I was just getting to know my daughter here."

"Has she agreed to come with you?" the priest asked, looking at me expectantly.

Immediately, I was unsure of what to say. On one hand, I was curious to know more about this man and his claim that I was his daughter. But on the other hand, I was wary of going with a stranger.

"I think I'd like to go," I said finally, feeling a flicker of excitement. I thought to myself “This is the start of something new, perhaps he was the miracle I prayed for”

The man nodded, and together we walked out of the orphanage and to his car.

 

Little did I know that I was leaving my home — the orphanage, to hell.