Forbidden Love// l.t. au

Chapter 1

A N A S T A S I A

The man in front of me was breathing hard with anger. His eyes were filled with rage, and had veins popping out on his neck. I was against the wall shrinking with fear on the inside, but on the outside I was staring hard at him. Two little kids were in the corner staring in fear. I had to be brave for them. No matter how much I wanted to cry and scream for help, I had to stand my ground.

He raised his hand, and it suddenly came into contact with my cheek. He had slapped me hard enough to bruise. Reflexively, I held my cheek. I whimpered slightly and tears started to build up in my eyes. The man leaned down so that he was levelled with my ear. His warm breath tickled as he said the worst words I have ever heard. 

"You worthless piece of shit." 

He walked away from me, and walked out the front door. I slowly slid down the wall, and began crying. It was like the waterworks were released and were never ending. One of the little kids rushed over to me. It was a ten year old boy. He whispered soothing words with a cracked voice as he hugged me. The other kid was a nine year old girl, a year younger from the little boy, who didn't know what was going on. She sat there, eyes wide at what she just witnessed. 

My cheek was starting to swell, but I didn't care. All I was focused on was to protect these two little kids from that monster. The little boy was still murmuring words as I continued sobbing. Trying to get myself together, I got up and walked down the hallway. I went into my room, and closed the door. 

Our mum isn't home since she's at work. Entertaining men and fulfilling their needs. While she's at work, it's my duty to take care of those two little kids. I blindly wipe my cheeks, and go to my mirror hanging on the wall. 

I stared at my reflection in it and saw a pale face with one red swollen cheek. I brushed my fingers against my cheek, and flinched. I look the opposite of what I was before that man came into my life. 

I was fifteen then. That man was my step father, Mike Stewart, and those two little kids were my brother and sister. Ethan and Kaitlyn Valentine. Me being the oldest, Ethan in the middle, and Kaitlyn the youngest. Our mother isn't here right now because she's out on business.

My mother, Kelly Stewart, was an escort. She was constantly out leaving at 8 at night and come home at 5 in the morning. She would come home with a load of cash and smell strong of men's cologne. Sometimes if she's too tired or had a rough night, I have to take care of her. 

Mike was an alcoholic. He was a angry drunk. If no one listened too him he would flip. First he would say some horrible things, and then abuse us. He would mostly hurt my mom and I, but mostly me. Since I was the oldest, and I fought him back. But he always won. I have a bruise on my right arm from when he punched me. Hard. 

Then there was Ethan and Kaitlyn. My two lovely siblings. When they came into the picture my world was nothing but sunshine. They are the two most funniest and coolest people to hang out with. Ethan is now 17, and Kaitlyn is 16 now.

Now seven years later, my mum got a better job as a famous fashion designer and finally dumped Mike. She also remarried our dad, David Valentine, who is the CEO of Valentine's Corporation, a big business in London. Ethan is graduating this year which means mum and dad fussing over university for him. Kaitlyn is an honor student with staight A's and is already planning for her future, unlike Ethan. 

I am now 22 years old, and i'm in my final year at the University of Cambridge. I am studying in the arts for English to get my bachelors degree so I can become an author. From all my good grades in school, I was able to get in. I insisted to pay to go, but my parents begged to do it. Timidly, I let them pay for it, but I told them that I was going to pay for rent and everything. They agreed with hesistance, but I ignored it.