Chapter 1

My name is Lily. My family is one of the most powerful and famous in the country. People admire their wealth and influence, dreaming of being part of such a legacy. But for me, being in this family is no dream — it's a heavy burden. I am the "extra person" in this household.

You might wonder: how can someone be unwanted in their own family? The answer is simple. I am the daughter of my father's second wife. My mother, Ella, was my father's second love.

Ella wasn't just my mother; she was my entire world. Her long, white hair and bright blue eyes always filled me with hope. Wherever she went, she brought light and warmth. But life is never fair. My mother's health deteriorated over time, and in her final years, she grew weaker with each passing day.

She passed away when I was just three years old. But before she left, she spoke her last words to my father.

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Ella:

"John, please, after I'm gone, take care of Lily. She's still so young…"

My father's face darkened. He couldn't bear to hear her talk about leaving.

John:

"No, Ella, you're not going anywhere! I won't let this happen! The three of us will get through this together!"

Ella smiled gently. She knew. She understood everything. And in that moment, her smile was her final gift to my father, a fleeting source of strength.

Ella:

"Our daughter is in your hands now. Promise me you'll never leave her…"

With those words, Ella left this world.

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Her death changed everything for me. My father still loved me, but it was hard to feel that love in the cold walls of our home. My siblings' eyes told me everything—they didn't see me as part of their family. To them, I was nothing more than a shadow of my mother, a constant reminder of someone they'd rather forget.

My older brother, Reggie, avoided my gaze whenever we crossed paths. My younger brother, Ezra, was the only one who seemed to care. He would always try to get close to me, to cheer me up. But even with Ezra's kindness, it was hard to tell who truly cared for me in this household.

Every night, I would ask myself one question: "How long must I keep fighting to escape this prison?"

But I already knew the answer: no one would come to save me.

If I wanted freedom, I had to claim it myself.