Chapter One

Anya's POV

Being in a huge castle doesn’t mean you are really enjoying yourself.

Just because you have all you need, that does not mean you are really happy. It can mean you are trapped. That was the feeling I had now. I felt trapped.

Just because I am in a huge mansion, just because I have everything I want, people at my beck and call, didn’t mean I have everything I wanted. My life was a mess and I wasn't free to do anything I wanted.

I was hit, slapped, beaten, degraded by the people I call my family. I so much wanted to leave this life.

“Are you listening to me, Anya?” Aunt Alina asked.

“Aunt, can you please leave me alone?” I scowled.

“Mom! Call me mom, Anya.” Aunt Alina said, eyeing me.

I scoffed, “I have told you times without number, Aunt, anytime we are alone in this prison,” I said referring to our house. “I will call you aunt because that is who you are. Only when we are in your so called parties or club or in front of uncle’s associates will I call you Dad or Mom. Other than that, don’t expect anything from me because you can't and will never be my Dad or Mom.” I said seething.

“Anya!” Uncle Pietro yelled.

“What Uncle? I just said my piece.” I lifted my shoulder in a half shrug.

“You will do as she said.” He said, threatening me.

“I will do no such thing.” I said, glaring at him.

“You will or you won’t get to see Erik again.” He said.

My eyes flooded with tears and my walls crumbled. Those words always have an effect on me. I would do absolutely anything if that meant I would get to see my brother.

Erik is the only person my Aunt and Uncle use to threaten me and it always worked every time.

I was separated from my brother when I was twelve and he was just six now, he is thirteen. I have been separated from him for seven years now. I can’t sit back and watch Erik get hurt because of me.

I gritted my teeth with tears in my eyes, “Fine Mom, Dad. Happy?”

Aunt Alina smiled, “Yes, as long as you do what we want from you.”

“Are you preparing for the event later on?” Uncle Pietro asked.

“I am not going, can’t I even do that much?” I asked.

“Fine, I will cook up an excuse as to why you couldn’t make it.” Aunt said smiling.

I looked at my Aunt and felt so much hatred towards her. I couldn’t understand how my Aunt was my Mother's twin. They had different personalities.

On the outside, they were so much alike that you couldn’t even differentiate them but on the inside they were entirely two different people.

My Mom was good, kind and loved helping others same as Dad but this two people sitting in front of me are evil. They don’t care about anything expect their fat faced daughter, Raisa.

I glared at them one last time and marched off to my room and met the ugly fat faced, Raisa on my bed. I couldn't understand how she did not get any of her parents look, she was so ugly.

“What are you doing here, Raisa?” I asked.

“Hey cousin.” She said, chewing on her gum noisily.

“Just say what you want and get out of here.” I told her.

“Anya…” She drawled.

“Calm down, Anya. Why the fuck are you getting angry?” she asked smiling. She knew exactly what was wrong.

Her parents used Erik one more time to get what they wanted from me and Raisa knew how much I hated it. I was always in a bitter mood after my argument with her parents.

“What the fuck do you want, Raisa?” I asked angrily.

“Calm down, cousin. Mom and Dad always want the best for you. They wouldn’t do anything to hurt you and…”

“Spare me the boring lecture and get out of my room.” I felt like being alone but Raisa was making sure I don’t do that.

“I am having a girl’s night. Want to join?” She made no move to stand up.

I gave her a dirty look. “No thanks.”

“You need to stop living a boring life, Anya.”

“That is enough, get out of my room before I lose it.” I said in an angry tone.

“Fine.” Raisa said and went out.

I followed her and locked the door. After I made sure no one was listening to me, I brought out a small phone and dialled an unknown number. It rang twice before he picked.

“Hey Erik.”

“Anya.” He said in his usual bright voice.

“How are you doing?” I asked smiling. He always brought a smile to my face.

“Fine.”

“Is anyone there?” I asked.

“No. you said if anyone is here, I shouldn’t pick the phone.” He said whispering.

The last time I visited him, I gave him the phone and put in vibration mode, so no one can know. I made sure the phone was always with him so he could feel it when I call.

“Good. But why are you whispering?”

“Because you are whispering.” He said.

It was then I realized I was whispering. Aunt and Uncle must never find out that I was talking to him without their permission or else they would take him to a place where I won't be able find him and it would hurt Erik not to talk to me.

It was already hurting him that we were separated and I don’t want to add to it.

“Anya, are you there?” Erik was asking.

“Yeah, little guy. Are you okay over there?”

“Yes, Anya. But I miss you a lot. When are you coming again?”

“Honestly Erik, I don’t know. But I promise, I will find a way to come see you.” I promised.

“Okay, I can’t wait. I miss you every day, Anya.” His voice was shaking.

“Hey, sweetheart. Don’t cry, I would be there before you know it . Okay?”

“Okay. I have to go now, someone is coming.” he said urgently.

“Okay. Take care of yourself. If you are in danger, what did I say is our secret code?"

“I miss your hair. I won’t forget that.”

“Good.”

“Bye Anya. I love you always.” He said.

“I love you too, honey. Take care.” I said and disconnected the call.

I sighed and lay down on my big bed. I stared at the ceiling feeling lonely. Outsiders may think I am a rich spoilt brat just like Raisa but not when I am alone. My whole life is a facade.

Nobody knew the truth behind the Chirkov’s family. To everyone I was Chirkov’s heir, a rich, conceited and rude brat. No one knew Pietro and Alina Chirkov were not my real parents.

To the outside world, they were Vitali and Zina Chirkov, my parents. When Mom and Dad died, my uncle and aunt came for Erik and me.

Erik was just a baby when they died, I thought Uncle and Aunt loved us but what I did not know was that they were after Mom and Dad’s fortune.

It was when they took over Mom and Dad’s life and name that I knew they were the one who killed them. I was supposed to die with them that night but I lived and Aunt has always hated me for that.

She doesn’t even bother to hide her displeasure. I was starved for weeks, I was beaten by both of them and I was almost raped by one of Uncle’s associates. They both knew that but they kept quiet like nothing happened.

My mother married a twin and Aunt has always been jealous of Mom so she married the twin brother of Dad. Mom and Dad made a fortune for themselves and Uncle and Aunt killed them and took everything from us.

I did almost anything to defy them and even wanted the whole world to know what they did, but then, they threatened to kill Erik if I don’t shut up.

They killed Mom and Dad so I knew they can kill Erik if they wanted to so I kept quiet and lived the life they wanted me to live.

They are despicable and they would do anything to get what they want so I just had to live like I knew nothing and that was hurting me so much.

They are the worst people I have ever met in my life and I would do absolutely anything to free myself from their ugly shackles.