Chapter 1

The simple wedding ceremony was solemn, attended only by the closest family. The glow of happiness radiated from the faces of the no-longer-young bride and groom and Angel, the 20-year-old girl who looked forward to her father's happiness with the wife of his choice. With a beaming smile that paints a picture of joy, Angel steps nimbly towards the bride and groom and hugs them tightly. It was as if a puzzle in her life was now perfect after a long period of grief, ten years of living without a mother who always provided support and affection. But now Angel feels the warm embrace that has always been her hidden dream. Happiness now envelops the girl's heart, full of hope for a beautiful future with her new family.

"I've been waiting for this kind of happiness for a long time," Angel said in a trembling voice, unable to stem her flowing tears. Hugging her mother tightly, Angel poured out her longing for her long-gone mother. In that warm embrace, Angel dangled the hope that this woman would be able to fill the void in her heart that had been pent up for so long. Now, Angel feels blessed and protected by the love of her parents, even though she knows very well the long and winding road she went through to reach this moment of happiness. Angel's face is radiant with happiness, and there is no longer any dark rain in her heart.

"I'm grateful we can finally live happily together. Congratulations, Papa, Mama," Angel said, her steps steady towards her new family. An excited head looked up, both eyes shining with hope and confidence towards happiness. When her gaze met her stepmother's warm and loving eyes, her heart was at peace, no longer uncertain of her new role in their lives. Angel grasped her father's firm hand, the pillar of life who had been faithfully accompanying, supporting, and loving her.

"Yes, Angel. Thank you for accepting Mama as your mother," Paula smiled with emotion and love as she gently stroked the girl's head. "I promise, I will love and care for you like my own daughter." Angel looked sincerely into Paula's eyes, then nodded confidently. A sense of warmth instantly enveloped both of them. Then, Angel hugged Paula tightly, as if to ensure that this new bond would never be broken, and they would support each other in joy and sorrow.

Not long after, Dave and Michael appeared before them, Paula's children from a previous marriage. Dave, aged 28, looked more mature with firm lines on his face, while Michael, 26, had a quiet and cold expression. Behind their handsomeness, there was no excitement. In fact, they looked at Angel suspiciously when she tried to smile at them. Their pulses quickened, sensing Angel's approaching threat. In the commotion, it was obvious that both of them disliked Angel's presence. Dave tried to calm himself down, but the hatred in his heart did not subside. Michael, on the other hand, kept his hands clenched into fists, as if ready to unleash his bubbling rage if he couldn't hold it in anymore.

"Honey, let's take a picture together!" Paula cheerfully invites her three children. She embraces Angel, who has a big smile and shining eyes. Dave and Michael stand beside Teo, Angel's father, their smiling faces enjoying the happy moment. On the surface, the atmosphere looks familiar and harmonious. However, behind the seemingly simple gaze of Dave and Michael, there is a hatred that they have never expressed to Angel. Their hearts are pounding with rage, waiting for the perfect opportunity to destroy the happiness of this seemingly perfect little family.

After the wedding ceremony, Angel's parents leave for their dream honeymoon, leaving Angel to live alone in the house that belonged to Paula, with two half-brothers she had only met a month ago, Dave and Michael. Despite the unfamiliar atmosphere, Angel feels quite warm. In fact, she was grateful that she now had the two older brothers she had always wanted – brothers who could protect her and keep her company when loneliness struck. Without a shadow of suspicion or anxiety, Angel truly believed in her two half-brothers whom she had always considered a gift.

"Take good care of Angel!" Paula told Dave and Michael before she and Teo got into the car.

"Yes, Mama, take it easy!" replied Dave with a quirk of his upper lip and a glance at Michael.

"Angel, if you need any help, don't hesitate to ask Dave and Michael for help! You can also ask them to drop you off and pick you up from college. Mama and Papa might be on their honeymoon for a week. Be good to you all!"

"Yes, Ma. Be careful on the road!" Angel said, hugging her stepmother.

"Dave, Michael, I'd like to ask you to take good care of Angel, please!" said Teo in a serious tone, followed by a heavy nod of the head from Dave and Michael. They then departed, leaving Angel in the yard.

With tears of longing in her eyes, Angel waved her small hand at them, staring at them until the car disappeared from sight. As for Dave and Michael, they smiled mysteriously at each other, as if harboring mischievous intentions to test the girl's patience. "Don't worry, Angel. We'll take good care of you... or maybe, a little fun?" shouted Dave with a playful laugh, along with Michael, setting off a new adventure.

"Yes!" replied Angel unsuspectingly.

"Papa and Mama are gone, we can't cook, so from now on, you'll have to prepare our meals!" said Dave, to which Angel nodded her head.

"Alright. But, I'm not a good cook. What do you guys usually like to eat? I'll learn," asked Angel to make sure.

"Later, we will write down the menu that you have to cook every day."

"Yes, I understand!"

"Oh, yes... you also have to clean the house and the yard every day!" said Dave in a stern and cold tone, making Angel's heart stop for a moment. As if swallowing a bitter pill, Angel tried hard to accept this reality with a big heart. She was the only woman in the house, and there was no maid to complete all the household chores. Although it seemed as if the burden was heavy on her shoulders, Angel tried to summon up her inner spirit. She convinced herself that by doing all these tasks, she would become a strong and independent person. Moreover, behind every difficulty, there must be a valuable lesson that she can learn to face life.

With that conviction, Angel sighed, preparing to face challenges she had never imagined before.

"Yes," Angel replied briefly, smiling at Dave before turning to Michael. Michael, however, was silent with a gaze that conveyed such deep hatred that Angel felt confused and troubled by it.

Without saying a word, Michael simply walked into the house. Since their first meeting, Angel felt that Michael never tried to make conversation with her. A smile was rarely on the man's face when they met. Angel tried to understand and felt that perhaps it was Michael's quiet nature, or the short time they had only had the chance to meet twice so far.

"Make me some orange juice and take me to Michael's room!" Dave pleaded with an emotional look on his face.

Angel tried to smile back, "Yes. I'll make it first!"

Dave didn't care and immediately stepped into the house. Quickly, he climbed the stairs and made his way to his brother Michael's room. Meanwhile, Angel searched the kitchen for oranges but found none in the refrigerator. Anxiety began to creep into her heart. Not wanting to disappoint Dave, Angel hurried to Michael's room, hoping Dave would accept the offer of another drink available in their fridge.

"Sorry, the oranges aren't available. Would you like another drink?" Angel offered in a voice hoarse with disappointment.

"I want orange juice, nothing else!" Dave asserted in a high tone, his face full of emotion as he stared at Angel, who was standing in the doorway of Michael's room. The passion in his voice reflected his determination to get what he wanted, as if everything depended on the cup of orange juice he was waiting for.

"Where should I look for oranges?" asked Angel with a flat face.

"Why are you so stupid? Buy oranges at the supermarket!" teased Dave with a high-pitched intonation that could make Angel feel astonished by those words.

"Can you drive me?" asked Angel, reassuringly. He didn't have enough money to buy fruit and pay for the taxi that would take him to the supermarket. His money was only enough for his college allowance while his papa was away on his honeymoon. Angel wondered if his papa and mama had left the money for a week's worth of food with his two older siblings.

"Why are you so spoiled? Go on your own!" snapped Dave, walking up to Angel, who was now getting suspicious of his half-brother's change of attitude.

"I don't have enough money!" Angel replied softly.

"How poor is your family? Why don't you try to sell yourself to get some money?"

Angel was shocked and devastated by Dave's words, which pierced his heart even more. "Why are you talking like that? I thought you really wanted to accept me, as well as papa," Angel murmured weakly, with tears now shrouding his beautiful eyes. Dave just smiled sarcastically, mocking Angel's messy feelings.

Michael then strode angrily towards them, his gaze piercing into their souls. "We do not welcome you in this house at all!" Michael shouted, his voice rumbling like rolling thunder. Angel was stunned, his eyes wide, feeling as if the world was collapsing in front of him. His heart ached even more, abandoned and hurt by those who were supposed to love and protect him. He felt alienated, living in the darkness of endless sorrow.

"If you don't accept us, why did you let papa and mama get married?" asked Angel in astonishment.

"It was useless for us to refuse the marriage. Your papa instigated my mama!" shouted Dave angrily, making Angel's eyes widen, and she shook her head in disbelief. Dave then grabbed Angel firmly by the wrist and dragged her to the bed. "From this moment on, you must be ready to serve us. Take off your clothes!" Dave ordered, voicing his bad intentions.

In an instant, Angel's heart raced at Dave's arrogant order. "Why would you do something like that to me?" asked Angel with a frightened look on his face as he saw Dave and Michael walking slowly and smiling grimly towards him. There was no answer. Angel tried to get away by running from the bed to get out of his stepbrother's room. However, Dave didn't allow it. He grabbed Angel's hand and dragged him back to the bed. "Let me go, I'll report you to Mama!" Angel threatened, making Dave and Michael laugh.

"If you dare report to Mama, we'll make your father die instantly!" Dave returned the threat with a sly smile and gestured to Michael. Dave reached into Angel's pants pocket and retrieved her cell phone. "Give me back my phone!" Angel pleaded, which Dave ignored.

"Take off your shirt!" pleaded Michael, scaring Angel once again. Angel shook his head and gripped his collar tightly. "Oh, so you want us to take your shirt off?"

"Are you crazy? I'm your sister! Why are you doing this to me?"

"Ha ha... don't be so confident! Who thinks you're our sister?" replied Dave, climbing up the bed towards Angel. "Mich ...." Dave called out to his sister not to stall any longer.

"Please, don't!" shouted Angel, but she was ignored by them.