Flash back

Note: This is what happened before Avery met Prince Israel

{Avery's POV}

My father kept knocking on my door, but I wasn't in a good mood. I stayed on my bed and sobbed uncontrollably. I had a hood over my head and tucked my head in between my legs. He wouldn't stop knocking until I open the door to let him in. So I eventually gave up and opened the door.

I was inconsolable as hot tears continuously ran down my face. My father drew me in and gave me a warm hug as if doing so would make all my problems go away.

"What is wrong my child?." My dad looked into my eyes with concern.

He reminded me of the reason I was crying, and I immediately began to cry hysterically once more. Can you believe I'm sixteen years old and yet I still seek refuge under my father's wing?. How pathetic!. You won't hold it against me for acting like a child in the presence of my father. It was because I grew up to be a father's pet, so that's why. I find myself laughing at my immaturity at the age of sixteen.

I removed the hood on my head. My dad was startled as he looked at my bald head. I was so ashamed of myself that my cheek burnt. I raced to my closet crying even more. How brave of me to show my ugliness in front of my dad. I would never leave my room again.

My dad begged me to come out of the closet so I could tell him in detail what had happened to my lovely blue hair. I vividly recall how lengthy and lustrous it was, but it is now completely gone. If my classmates or peers saw me in this situation, what would they say?. They'd make fun of me, laugh at me, and even bully me. This is too much for me to handle.

Time for me to face reality. Still unable to accept that all of my priceless hair has vanished. I felt discomfort as I pinched myself to make sure

This is all Riley's doing. She offered me a shampoo to wash my hair, but when I used it, all of my gorgeous hair fell out, leaving not even a single strand behind. I was consumed by the raging fires of retribution.

My name is Avery Sebastian. I grew up not knowing my mother, my dad has been the one taking care of me and my sister. He has been doing a great job. I might be different from every other child but I am still confident in my looks. While some admired me, others were envious.

My sister Riley was a pretty devil. That's the nickname I gave her because she was so wicked to me. This started right after my mother gave birth to me. My dad was under a lot of pressure because he had to strive to take care of us and run the kingdom by himself. Riley has hurt my feelings in a lot of ways that I cannot even put into writing. I felt sad with no expression of happiness at all. The more I wrote about how my blood sister treated me, the more devastated I felt.

Even at school, she had a few close friends. The only people close to her, are her gang who taunts or pranks every newcomer or underprivileged student. No one dares to mess with them and go scot-free. Everyone including me tried our best to keep Riley and her problems at a safe distance. Only a few students are aware that Riley and I are related. I made sure to convey to people that I come from a low-income family.

Riley detested me because I was much prettier than her and I was our father's favorite. Despite the way Riley treated and provoked me, I have never for once hated her.

Riley calls me the murderer of our mother.

"If mother did not give birth to you that night she would still be alive, you murderer." This is one of the words she frequently rings in my ear. It made me so sad and when I'm sad I'd sing. At least she helped me find a hobby.

I have never complained to my father but somehow he managed to know the way Riley treated me. He advised Riley but she ignored all his advice.

The following day, I mustered up a little courage to go to school. I must not let Riley win on this one. If I don't go to school then I'll be defeated but if I go, she would be surprised. I put on my hood and strolled down to school. When it was time for lunch, I head to the school cafeteria. There was a table with chairs surrounding it but nobody was seated in them. I then set my food down on the table and started munching. Riley and her group suddenly arrived where I sat.

"Stand up and get out of this seat." Riley made the first statement. The rest of her gangs knew that I am the daughter of chief Sebastian so they dare not speak to me rudely.

I ignored Riley and continued eating. I was too upset to talk right now after what she did to my beautiful hair. Any of her problems are not worth my time. I've had enough. But my silence provoked Riley even more.

"Can't you hear me?. I am talking to you. I ordered you to get off this chair immediately." Riley's face appeared to be growing angrier with each passing second.

"I cannot leave this seat because you have no right to pursue me. It is either you share the seat with me or you don't seat at all." I said this after a deep breath. It is about time I stand up for myself and stop being the shy little daddy's pet because Riley has been picking on me for years. However, I was unaware of what Riley had in store for me.

"Are you sure about that?." Riley asked with a smirk on her face. Can you believe that she removed my hood from my hair exposing my baldness? The people that were around me started laughing and jokingly pointing at me. At that very moment, I was feeling so ashamed and depressed. I wanted the ground to open up and swallow me. It is difficult to describe in words what I felt at that moment. But it was the most embarrassing moment I have ever experienced. I felt sad with no expression of happiness at all. My heart sank and I couldn't believe what Riley did. As I fled the cafeteria in shame hot tears sprung out of my eyes.