Chapter 1

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(Emma's POV)

"EMMA! GET DOWN HERE NOW!!!!!!!!!" I hear Cora yell from the bottom of the stairs from my attic.

"Coming stepmother!" I say as I quickly run down the stairs to her. "What would you like stepmother?"

"Well lets see, the floors need to be polished again, the laundry needs to be done, the furniture needs to be dusted, and we need more food. God Emma, sometimes I wish you could do something right."

"I'll do my best stepmother." I quickly reply in fear.

"You better or you know what will happen." The frightening memories fill my head. The blood on the floor. All of the big scars on my back. The screams escaping my mouth with each hit. The snapping sound coming from the strips of leather. The evil cackles leaving her mouth with each stroke. I can't do it again.

I nod and quickly scurry away to do my chores. First I start the laundry. I gather Regina and Zelena's clothing along with Cora's and wash them piece by piece. It takes me around 2 hours but usually I can do it in half the time. I am going to get heck for this. I hurry and finish the polishing and dusting and head into town to replenish our food. The walk is far but I manage. Immediately as I walk into the town square, I see my best friend Ruby. She waves me over and I hug her.

"I haven't seen you in ages. How are you?" She asks.

"I am good. Well, better than usual. I haven't been hurt by them in quite a while so life is good for now." I reply.

"If it is so bad there why haven't you left?!"

"I don't know. Some part of me keeps me going back there and even if I did leave where would I go?!"

"You can always stay with Granny and I!"

"No, it's ok. I would be too much of a burden."

She grabs my arm. "Emma stop thinking like that. You can't let them fill your head with those ideas. You can change your life, all you must do is find something to change it for."

"Like what? I don't have a family to be with and I sure as hell won't fall in love."

"Oh come on! You are beautiful and smart and nice... What makes you think a guy wouldn't fall head over heels for you?"

I take a deep breath. "Everyone is always marrying for advantage and nobody wants a lonely, dirty maid!"

"Trust me you will find someone." She pats my back but says goodbye because Granny is expecting her home.

I rush around town to gather all of the food and start to walk back to the manor. I take a shortcut through the clearing in the woods near the back of the house. My mind start to think about what Ruby said. Love. What is so special about it? It sure doesn't seem very special to me. At this rate I must be running late at this point and I know the whip will be waiting for me at home and I start to cry at even the thought of it.

Suddenly I hear a whinny of a horse in the distance. It must be a runaway and they aren't the most friendly. I start to run for a tree and I hide behind it. I hear the horse hooves slow and come closer. Then a thunk on the ground. It wasn't a runaway. There was a person.

"Hello?" A masculine voice calls out, almost Irish. "Is anyone here?" His voice comes closer as does he and then he sees me. "Oh dear! Are you alright love?"

I look at his face. Oh my god. He is handsome. His blue eyes like the ocean. His hair as dark as a raven. His facial hair framing his perfect jaw. Wait! Emma what are you thinking?!

"I'm fine." Is all I can manage to say.

"No you're not, you've been crying." He grabs my hand and I stand up.

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