I wish death upon you

"Die...you bastard" Margaret yelled and a slap landed on Lilian's face.

"Mother, please don't hit sister" 

"Mother, It wasn't her fault"

"Mother.. don't hit her"

Three tiny voices sounded from behind, as if trying to stop Margaret. In fact, they were only adding fuel to fire.

Lilian kneeling in the corner of the room stared at her three lovely sisters before she collapsed on the floor like a lifeless doll. Her cheeks were red and swollen. Her arms and legs had several bruises. Some fresh and some fading.

She was innocent, always innocent, but she always received the punishment. Her sisters made sure she did. They would always find a way to put blame on her for things she didn't even know had happened.

Was it because she could be easily tricked and she ends up falling into her sisters' trap? No. She just couldn't escape their mischief.

Even if she was cautious enough to avoid all their schemes, they would make her the perfect target to vent their pent-up anger. Either way, she would end up beaten every other day.

Before three cruel animals, she was a meek rabbit. The power to retort and protect herself wasn't in her hands as she was the daughter of a mistress.

If only she had a chance, she would love to escape from this house and live with her mother somewhere far from here. However, her biological mother died a long time ago, leaving her behind in this cruel world.

Margaret summoned a couple of servants to deal with the bastard girl on the floor. The mere sight of this girl disgusts her. She then swayed her hips as she trotted out of the room.

The three teenage girls giggled looking at each other. So what if she's their big sister? She's just an illegitimate bastard.

"Serves her right" Amelia Barlow smirked staring at Lilian dragged by the servants.

Who asked that lowly life to dream about her beloved Vincent Levine?

He was her man. She solely had the right to look at him. Dream of him. Marry him.

Aurelia Barlow and Adelia Barlow nodded, agreeing with their elder sister. Only their sister Amelia deserves a charming man like Vincent Levine.

...

Three days later.

Lilian was curled up in fetal position on the cold floor with her golden hair sprawled around. Her brows were furrowed with droplets of sweat glistening on her forehead.

"Miss Lilian" Lilian heard a low voice, almost inaudible. She recognised the voice. It belonged to Katlyn Morgan, one of the servants of the Barlow mansion. The only person who cares for her in the whole mansion apart from her father. Katlyn was more like a friend and sister to her than a servant.

"Miss Lilian... I'm here to take you back" Katlyn said as she unlocked and opened a large iron door. She stared at the girl who was locked up in the underground prison meant for the trespassers and thieves.

She was long used to her Madam's quirky habits. She had to keep her silence and maintain her standing if she want to continue surviving. But, that didn't stop her from taking care of Lilian in secret.

Lilian hated this moment. Everytime she was released from the prison, she felt like a piece of her soul was shattered. This dark prison was much more peaceful and quite than any other places. She would exchange anything if she could stay in that prison.

With her father living most of the time away from home because of his trading, she was given special treatment by her family members in his absence.

Only when her father came back home for special days like Christmas would she be relieved of the special care.

She was long used to Margaret's special care. Beating her to death, lock her up in the prison, release her after she cools down and then repeat.

The only good thing of everything was Margaret always made sure Lilian was clean of any scars and wounds to prevent others from finding something wrong with her.

Lilian could only endure this torture, for the love and care her father and Katlyn showered upon her. And the affection she held for Vincent Levine, a patron of the Barlow family.

Lilian slowly walked down the dark corridors with Katlyn supporting her. On her way, she heard the voices from the garden where her sisters were chatting.

"Sister, don't forget about me after you leave our house. You know, I love you the most" Adelia spoke in her saccharine voice, clinging onto Amelia's arm.

"Do you think I would forget you just because I'm marrying Vincent Levine?" Amelia smiled at her little sister. Her cheeks turned red just with the thought of her marriage with the man of her dreams.

The three sisters continued chatting and laughing. However, Lilian was shocked hearing their words.

"Amelia is marrying Vincent Levine?" Lilian questioned in a trembling voice.

Then, why did he confess to her the other day saying that he liked her? Was there something that she misunderstood? Or was he playing with her?

Katlyn wasn't surprised and answered as she had no intention to hide from her.

"Yes. Madam had a chat with the Levine family when you were locked up. She had been planning this from a long time. The wedding will be on next friday"

Lilian was devastated hearing the date. Why did it have to be her birthday? Did Margaret decide on that date deliberately?

She hurried back to her room, wiping the tears flowing from her eyes.

All it took was three days for her dreams to shatter. But, would her love for him fade?

Never.

"You should give up, Miss Lilian" Katlyn muttered hoping her friend would soon recover from heartbreak.

...

Margaret Barlow was busy making arrangements for the wedding. Her dearest daughter was getting married and there shouldn't be anything mediocre. She wanted only the best for her daughter.

Each day felt like an year as Lilian wallowed in her sorrow. Her whole world seemed to have crumbled. Even the presence of her father didn't cheer her. His presence only made her feel worse. Because his presence in the house only indicated special occasions.

She tried to find a way to speak with Vincent Levine alone. But she never had a chance. Somehow, she felt he was avoiding her which crushed her heart even more.

The day she dreaded came sooner than she realised. It was also her birthday but no one in her family cared, for it was the wedding of the Young Miss of the Barlow's family and the Young Master of Levine family.

Katlyn presented her with a small cheese cake she meticulously prepared. But the bitterness in her heart clouded the sweetness of the cake. She couldn't even enjoy her favourite cake.

In the evening, the huge garden in the house was decorated with the most beautiful flowers and hundreds of lanterns lighting up the venue. The guests were in awe as they praised Margaret Barlow endlessly.

The night was warm with the full moon showcasing its radiance. The moonlight highlighted the whole garden.

Lilian watched the ceremony from a far corner with no one around her. Her heart turned cold as she saw her sister Amelia Barlow clad in white walk down the aisle with her father Warren Barlow.

The man on the other end smiled brightly staring at the bride as he took her hand. His eyes were dazzling with affection apparent in them.

"Vincent Levine, Do you take Amelia Barlow as your lawfully wedded wife?" the priest said his words as he eyed the groom.

"I Do" Vincent Levine gave his affirmative answer without hesitation.

"Amelia Barlow, Do you take Vincent Levine as your lawfully wedded husband?"

Lilian heard the priest say his words as she stared at the couple. Her eyes focused on Vincent Levine and then on Amelia Barlow.

One was the man for whom she gave her heart. The other was her sister who gave her intolerable pain.

One was the person she loved the most, the other was one she hated to death.

As if her heart was ignited, she suddenly sensed her body burning up with her golden hair shining under the moonlight. She felt a mix of overwhelming emotions consuming her from within. A surge of immense power seeped across her body and her eyes brightened. She suddenly felt so strong and powerful, she thought she could defeat anyone, even the devil himself.

Before the beautiful bride could nod her head, Lilian muttered with her blue eyes tearing up "Amelia Barlow, I wish death upon you. I want you to feel the same pain you've given me all this while"

Be it jealousy or anger. Be it madness or sorrow. She just couldn't tolerate to see Amelia get married and be happy with the man she fell in love.

Lilian then turned around to walk away while

the bride screamed as red flames arose from her feet, spreading throughout her body before burning her whole.