Adelina

Chapter 1: The House

Living in a house like this isn't easy at all. Every morning, I wake up wishing I could turn back time. Just one year. Back when life was peaceful-when Mom and Diego were still here. When dad was still someone I recognised.

He never treated me well, but it was still better than now. He always favoured the boys over me and my sister, insisting they were stronger and meant to work while girls were nothing but burdens.

He always had a soft spot for Mom. But after her death, everything changed. He became moody, unpredictable, and even violent, like a storm on the verge of breaking.

Lost in my thoughts, sound of footsteps reached my ears - it was Hugo, my brother - I can recognize his footsteps.

"Father wants you downstairs." His tone is unreadable.

I followed him downstairs, uncertain of what was waiting me there.

As I pass Diego room, a river of memories rushes to my mind. Every single memory haunting me with the moments when we were truly happy. He was always the kindest to me, my closest bond in the family. Being the eldest, just three years ahead of me, we grew up side by side. Back then, it felt like nothing could break us.

He was the closest to me and Isabella. He was my soldier in shining armour, my one and only friend. I wasn't allowed to have any.

"Addy, come here! Let's watch your favourite movie," Diego calls out, his voice light, like he is trying to make me forget something.

"Diego, stop. Why can you have friends, but I can't?" I cross my arms, frustration bubbling up.

"You don't need them, Addy," he says softly. "You have me." His words make my chest tighten. ' I am your best friend, Addy!"

"My best friend." I say, and a little smile grows on his face.

A gruff voice cuts through the fabric of my thoughts, snapping me back to reality. I find myself staring blankly at the mirror hanging on the door of my fathers office, a faint smile on my lips. It was all in my head-memories I never thought I'd recall again.

The voice calls my name once more. It's my father. I stood in front of the door, holding the handle as I could feel my heart beats rushing.

As I twist the handle, Ivan-one of my brothers-gestures discreetly, warning me that our father is furious.

I opened the door, and Ivan was right. He doesn't seem happy. Father sits behind his desk, staring at a pile of scattered papers.

"Adelina, where are my papers?" His voice was calm-too calm. The kind that always came before the storm.

"I don't know, Father. I haven't touched anything," I replied with the utmost respect, keeping my tone steady.

"You were the last one in my office, Adelina." his eyes are still focused on me like they are inspecting me,His voice remains eerily calm-too calm. It makes my skin crawl. "Don't play dumb. Tell me where my paperworks are!" Here comes the storm devouring every ench of courage I once had.

"I cleaned the office, but I didnt move anything from its place. I promise father, everything is where it was." Without realising it my answer annoyed him.

And he burst out, letting everything he held inside him out. The hatred for me since tge death of mom and Diego, as he believes I am the reason of it and it should have been me not them, till this very moment of the lost of his paperworks.

I stand as still as a statue, gladly accepting all his blaming on me, till my inner self thought it was enough and it's time for me to speak.

"It wasn't me. It was you." The words slip out before I can stop them, my own voice betraying me.

His eyes widened at my words like I stapped him with a knife and twisted it. He of course doesn't look so happy about that. And that was when I knew I messed up.

He suddenly grips my chin, his hold firm. A gasp escapes me, but before I can react, Andreas-my third brother-calls for him.

He releases me without a word, and I take the chance to slip away, hurrying upstairs to my room, my heart still racing.

The moment my door shuts behind me, I exhale.

I'm safe.

For now.

Hope you liked this chapter.
I will try to keep this motivation for a few more days.

Have a good day

Hello it's been two years since I wrote this so I am fixing some errors in the plot as I don't truly like it. Enjoy.