Anastasia Williams was killed by the hands of her abusive boyfriend, leaving her young daughter, Lilliana, behind. However after a miraculous stroke of luck, Anastasia is granted an ultimatum to which she agrees on the one condition that her daughte...
The morning sun cast a soft glow through the curtains as Anastasia woke up to the familiar sound of her alarm. She had set it for 5 o'clock, following her father's instructions that they would leave at 6. She hadn't even realised that she had actually slept last night. Reflecting on the past, she couldn't help but shudder at the memories of the nights she had to endure just to protect Lilliana. Every night had been a battle to keep him distracted and prevent him from hurting her baby while she slept. She had calculated that once he was spent and exhausted, he would sleep deeply, providing her with a precious window of time to be with her child before the cycle repeated.
Anastasia's mind drifted to a desperate idea she had once entertained – crushing sleeping pills into his coffee. However, she knew he was always watching, scrutinizing her every move. The risk was too great – not just for herself, but for her unborn child at the time, and later, her precious Liana. He had manipulated and controlled every aspect of her life, making it impossible to even think about rebellion without the fear of devastating consequences for her loved ones.
The "what ifs" had haunted her thoughts throughout those moments when temptation was too strong to bear. What if he found out? What if he suspected? What if her attempts to resist led to her friends or her father being hurt? The mental burden of these questions had been her constant companion for the entire duration of their relationship but now, things were different. Death had given her a chance at a new life, and she was determined to make the most of it. As she looked at her now awake little girl, she couldn't help but smile at the realization that they were free from that torment.
"Good morning, sleepyhead," Anastasia whispered, giving Liana's forehead a soft kiss. The little girl smiled her body curling more into her and the sight warmed Anastasia's heart.
Anastasia gently inquired, "Would you like some breakfast, sweetheart?"
"Yes! What's on the menu mommy?" Lilliana's curious voice chimed in.
"Well, darling, what would you like to have?" Anastasia encouraged, wanting her daughter to experience the joy of making a choice.
"I can pick anything?" Lilliana's eyes sparkled with hope, and Anastasia nodded, a smile tugging at her lips. "Then can I please have pancakes?" Lilliana's adorable pout melted Anastasia's heart. She couldn't refuse, not that she wanted to. Her little angel deserved all the happiness, especially after enduring James's cruelty.
"Of course, sweetheart. But before we dig into pancakes, let's freshen up in the bathroom," Anastasia suggested, watching Liana's dutiful nod. Despite her tender age, her daughter had grown used to doing things independently, a bittersweet reminder of their shared struggles. She gathered their clothes and led the way into the bathroom.
After attending to their morning routines, Anastasia descended to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. Dressed in her chosen clothes, with makeup elegantly concealing the remnants of her past, she felt a newfound sense of liberation.
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James had always controlled what she wore, not out of any romantic gesture, but as a means to exert dominance over her. He deliberately chose unattractive clothes, ensuring no one else would take an interest in her. Money was always an issue with him, and he made sure she wore the cheapest outfits available, giving her a sense of worthlessness. He rarely allowed her to get new clothes, keeping her trapped in the same ill-fitting ones for years. Under his oppressive rule, she had grown thinner due to the restrictive diet he imposed on her.
Every morsel of food she consumed was under his watchful eye, her diet rigorously monitored. However, those days were behind her now. The freedom to savor any dish and to don any outfit she pleased was a newfound luxury. A smile curved her lips as she lovingly arranged a trio of plates. A stack of fluffy golden pancakes, drenched in rich golden syrup, was her chosen delight. Another plate, adorned with a scattering of plump blueberries, awaited her father. And, of course, a generous drizzle of chocolate syrup adorned the plate destined for her precious little girl. The simple act of choosing toppings was a sweet victory over the control James once had.
As Anastasia retrieved knives and forks from the drawer and neatly set them on the plates, her father walked into the room, dressed in his crisp uniform. An unspoken tension filled the air, leaving both father and daughter at a loss for words. She settled into her seat beside her plate and began to eat, hoping her father would follow suit.
In the midst of this uncomfortable silence, her father seemed to hesitate momentarily before slowly approaching the table. His gaze lingered on her for a brief moment, as if he were debating whether to say something. Eventually, he chose silence and took a seat on his stool, diving into the pancakes she had prepared for him. After a few moments, he ventured a question, "I didn't know you could cook?"
Anastasia's response was succinct, a reminder of the harsh lessons she had learned in the past. "Yeah. I had practice," she replied, her tone tinged with the memories of past punishments for culinary mistakes.
Her father's acknowledgment was tinged with awkwardness, and he shifted his gaze towards her with a hint of concern. "How are you?" he asked cautiously.
With a subtle shrug, Anastasia offered a simple response, "I'm okay."
Though her father nodded, his skeptical expression revealed that he wasn't entirely convinced. Yet, he chose not to press further. The weight of unspoken emotions hung in the air until a few moments later, their attention was diverted as Lilliana entered the room, her innocence contrasting against the visible marks on her skin but still looking adorable in her cute little outfit.
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"Hey baby, you look absolutely adorable," Anastasia said with genuine warmth as she lifted her little angel and settled her onto the high stool she couldn't reach.
"Thank you, mommy. You look pretty too," Lilliana beamed at her mother, her eyes immediately drawn to the plate of chocolate-covered pancakes in front of her. The delight in her voice was evident as she exclaimed, "Thank you, mommy! You're the best!" She wasted no time in diving into her breakfast with enthusiasm.
As Lilliana enjoyed her meal, Anastasia couldn't help but be relieved at how different this morning was compared to their past. If it were any other four-year-old, the dress Lilliana wore might be stained by now, but they had both learned quickly how to maintain pristine appearances to avoid James's wrath, neat freak that he was. Pushing those dark memories aside, she focused on the present, cherishing this newfound freedom.
Once they had all finished eating, her father's terse "thank you" serving as acknowledgment, they gathered their belongings and loaded the car before starting their journey to Mystic Falls. Anastasia chose to sit in the back with Lilliana, cherishing every moment with her precious daughter. The road stretched ahead, and as the car moved forward, a sense of hope and anticipation filled her heart. This was the beginning of their new life, and she was determined to make it the best one possible for both herself and Lilliana.
