Ethereal Guardian: A Tale of Neglect, Bullying, and Redemption

Chapter 2

The Forgotten Daughter

A few years later Sarah's arrival at the Hillcrest Estate had initially filled her with wonder. The mansion's grandeur and history fascinated her, and she explored its hidden corners, uncovering forgotten secrets, and perhaps even befriending the ghosts of its past. But as her parents resumed their demanding careers, it became clear that the mansion was more than just a backdrop for her dreams—it was to be her lonely sanctuary.

John and Emily Jamison were driven by ambition. They had worked tirelessly to climb the corporate ladder, and their efforts had paid off handsomely. But in the pursuit of success, they had unintentionally sidelined their most precious possession: their daughter, Sarah.

Mornings at the mansion were a whirlwind of hurried breakfasts, rushed goodbyes, and the sound of the front door closing, leaving Sarah alone in the echoing silence. Her parents, caught in the relentless pursuit of their own aspirations, were rarely present, both physically and emotionally.

Sarah's only companions during those long, lonely hours were the maids who tended to the mansion. There was Mrs. Simmons, the stern housekeeper, who was more interested in maintaining the mansion's impeccable appearance than in engaging with a lonely child. And then there was Agnes, a maid with a harsh disposition and a penchant for cruelty.

Agnes, in particular, had taken a disliking to Sarah from the moment they crossed paths. She saw the young girl as an intrusion in her carefully ordered world, an inconvenience that disrupted her daily routine. Agnes's resentment manifested in cruel remarks, deliberate neglect, and a constant barrage of insults.

"Stay out of my way, child," Agnes would hiss as she passed Sarah in the hallway, her eyes cold and devoid of empathy.

But Sarah was not one to crumble easily. Her dreams and imagination were her refuge, and in those moments of solitude, she found solace. She would explore the mansion's vast library, losing herself in the pages of forgotten tales. She would spend hours in the enchanting garden, where the roses bloomed in shades of red that seemed to mirror her determination.

In the midst of her isolation, Sarah clung to the memory of her parent's love and the belief that someday they would notice her absence and return to fill the echoing void in her heart.

Little did she know that the mansion held another soul who had longed for companionship just as fervently as she did. A spirit whose presence had gone unnoticed by all but one—Eleanor, the ghostly guardian of Hillcrest Estate, who watched over the lonely girl with sparkling eyes and a heart full of dreams.