"And I said to myself, 'If I die, what will happen to all of you? Who will provide you with food? Who will be your sister?' I fought to be strong, just to hear your voices every week. And when you said you wanted to be like me, I pleaded silently, 'Please don't, because I don't want you to see and feel what it's like to be a victim of such cruelty.' When those people called me names, such as a slut, a hoe, or a filthy girl, I cried so much. And every time, the manager scolded me and denied me a meal, claiming that I had ruined their precious makeup. Despite enduring all those hurtful words, there was one thing that I cherished the most - the word 'hero' that the four of you used to call me. When you said, 'Amanda, you're our hero,' it brought tears of both joy and pain to my eyes. I despised my job, I despised my life, but I loved my siblings. And..."
"Stop it, will you?" Tan interrupted, his voice filled with disbelief. "Explaining won't work anymore. I don't believe a single word you just said. You could have asked for help if you truly wanted to, but you didn't. Because deep down, you loved your job. Danny was right, you are nothing but a slut." His words pierced through Amanda's heart, leaving her feeling more alone than ever.
One by one, her siblings turned their backs on her, their faces contorted with disgust. Amanda desperately reached out, grasping Kiana's hand and begging her to listen, to not abandon her. But Kiana pulled her hand away, her eyes filled with judgment. "I don't believe you, Amanda. I judge you. If you truly wanted a job, why would you choose that? Your story is simply too unbelievable," Kiana stated coldly.
Kate embraced Kiana, further solidifying their rejection of Amanda. "Come now, and you, Amanda, just disappear. We don't need you anymore," Kate declared, her voice laced with disdain. The weight of their rejection crushed Amanda's spirit as tears streamed down her face.
They all rejected her, leaving her to sob on the floor, feeling utterly abandoned. "I'm not complaining, and I don't need your money," she cried out, her voice filled with anguish. "All I ask from all of you is acceptance, acceptance as a family, acceptance as your sister." But her pleas fell on deaf ears as they turned their backs and walked away, believing that she loved her job, that she reveled in being a prostitute.
Left alone, Amanda knelt on the cold floor, her heart shattered into a million pieces. "I did all of this for your sake, for your dreams," she whispered, her voice choked with emotion. But they continued to view her as a dirty woman, someone who used her body for money. They all left her, seeking a new life in another country, while unbeknownst to Amanda, Xerxion took it upon himself to exact vengeance on her siblings, eliminating them one by one.
After her siblings turned their backs on her, Amanda found herself living alone, embarking on a new chapter of her life without them. It was a daunting transition, but she was determined to make the best of her circumstances. As she settled into her newfound independence, she focused on building a life filled with purpose and fulfillment.
Meanwhile, her boss, Xerxion, had been observing Amanda closely. He had always cared for her, and it was during this time that he realized she needed him. Xerxion's marriage to his wife, who was also named Amanda, had become strained as she grew increasingly consumed by jealousy and insecurity. Despite his efforts to support her and provide for their family, his wife's discontent grew, leading her to concoct a plan to remove Amanda from Xerxion's life.
Amanda's old boss, aware of Xerxion's wife's growing resentment, agreed to aid her in her scheme. They devised a plan to create a situation that would force Amanda to leave Xerxion. When Xerxion discovered the truth, he was filled with anger and nearly succumbed to the darkness within him. However, deep down, he couldn't bring himself to harm his wife, despite the pain she had caused
In a moment of clarity, Xerxion made a decision that would forever alter the course of his life. He confronted his wife, revealing his intention to marry poor Amanda-the woman who had endured so much hardship. His wife vehemently opposed the idea, but Xerxion told her that it was her fault for making Amanda's life miserable by cursing her, and that it was only right for him to do the right thing by marrying Amanda to free her from the curse she had been under.
True to his word, Xerxion married Amanda, vowing to provide her with the love, care, and respect she deserved. He went above and beyond, building a beautiful and comfortable home for the two of them, a sanctuary where they could create new memories and heal from the wounds of the past.
On their wedding night, Xerxion changed into more comfortable clothes and climbed into bed, gently kissing Amanda goodnight. Amanda, still wearing her wedding dress, looked at him with a bitter smile. She clasped her hands, struggling to find the right words to express her emotions. Her mind raced with insecurities, fearing that Xerxion didn't want to share their honeymoon together because of her troubled past.
Tears welled up in Amanda's eyes, cascading down her face and staining her beautiful wedding dress. She tried to stifle her sobs, not wanting to make her pain obvious. But Xerxion, attuned to her every emotion, sensed her distress. He sat up and spoke softly, "It's not about that, Amanda." His words caught her attention, and she immediately dried her tears, looking at him with curiosity. "What's not about what?" she asked, her voice trembling.
Xerxion took a deep breath and slowly walked towards her. Amanda looked up at him, her eyes filled with anticipation. He smiled at her, extending his hand to beckon her to sit beside him. However, Amanda hesitated, standing her ground and offering him a bitter smile. "I'm fine, don't worry. I was just going to the bathroom and..." she began, her voice trailing off.
"And cried because you thought I didn't want to spend our honeymoon together due to your painful past," Xerxion interrupted, his voice filled with understanding.
Amanda's eyes widened in surprise. She hadn't expected him to see through her thoughts and emotions so clearly. She stood there, staring at him, waiting for an explanation. Xerxion sat on the edge of the bed, patting the space beside him, inviting her to join him. Though hesitant, Amanda finally relented and took a seat.
"You see, I am married, but I am not what you think I am," Xerxion began, his voice gentle yet firm. "I am a demon, and so is my wife. She conspired with your boss to make your life miserable, driven by jealousy and insecurity. It was never about you being a concubine or anything of the sort. She resented our connection from before, and it led to the unfortunate circumstances you endured. In order to protect you and free you from the curse she placed upon you, I made the decision to marry you and change your last name, putting an end to the miserable fate associated with your old name."
Amanda's mind raced, trying to process the information Xerxion had just revealed. "Miserable, last name of mine," she whispered, a mix of emotions coursing through her.
Xerxion continued, "She cast a spell on you, writing your name, 'Amanda Haspin,' in it. The curse was meant to bring you misfortune for the rest of your life. But now that you bear the name Tobletone, you are free from that curse."
Amanda's eyes widened in disbelief. She had never imagined that her life had been plagued by a curse. Questions flooded her mind, and she couldn't help but ask, "You helped me because of what your wife did. So, does that mean you didn't really love me?"
Before Xerxion could respond, Amanda abruptly stood up and made her way downstairs, seeking solace in the living room. She cried and cried until exhaustion overcame her, and she fell into a restless sleep. Xerxion knew that the truth would be bitter, but he couldn't let her live in his web of lies any longer. He carried her back upstairs, gently changing her clothes as he did so. As he undressed her, he felt no excitement or desire. Instead, he was overwhelmed by a sense of guilt and remorse, realizing the pain he had caused her. Slowly, he unzipped her dress and removed her clothes, memories of her tears and suffering flooding his mind.
In that moment, Xerxion made a fateful decision. He touched her delicate face and bit her neck, sharing his own blood with her. He hoped that the poison within his blood would consume her, ending her pain and freeing her from the torment she had endured. Amanda awoke, startled by the pain coursing through her veins, but Xerxion silenced her with a kiss, driven by the blood attraction that bound them. The blood attraction, a powerful force that drew individuals with shared blood together, intensified his connection to Amanda.
They made love until the break of dawn, their passion and connection reaching new heights. The intensity of their union lasted until 9 am, when Amanda took her final breath, a blissful smile adorning her face. "I love you, and I have never loved anyone but you. Thank you, my husband," she whispered before departing from this world.
Xerxion tenderly kissed her one last time, bidding her farewell. He left the house and set it ablaze, erasing the painful memories that had unfolded within its walls. After the tragic events, he returned to his own family, seeking solace and redemption. He had no news of Amanda, believing that he had taken her life. Little did he know, Amanda had survived, her spirit unbroken and her journey far from over.
In the tranquil countryside, where golden fields stretched as far as the eye could see, an old farmer named Mr. Thompson discovered a young woman in desperate need of help. With compassion in his heart, he took her under his wing and embraced her as his own child. The farmer's heart swelled with joy when he learned of her pregnancy, eagerly anticipating the arrival of a new life. Curiosity gnawed at him, and he couldn't resist asking about the father. With a gentle smile, she evaded his question, uttering only these enigmatic words, "He is the embodiment of kindness, a soul who has been by my side since the very beginning. I owe him an immeasurable debt. However, I wish not to burden him any longer. I will care for our child as he cared for me."
Time passed, and the day of reckoning arrived. Amanda, the young woman taken in by Mr. Thompson, gave birth to a lifeless baby. Grief washed over her, tears streaming down her face as she cradled her motionless child. Yet, in a twist of fate, the baby stirred, drawing breath and defying the odds. Amanda christened her miracle baby Céline, a symbol of hope and resilience. Little did they know that both mother and daughter possessed an extraordinary strength, fueled by Xerxion's demon blood that coursed through their veins.
Amanda, aware of her own fortitude, imparted her wisdom to Céline. She taught her daughter the art of survival, from wielding a gun with precision to defending herself against any threat. Céline absorbed these teachings with unwavering determination, recognizing the importance of self-reliance in a world fraught with uncertainty. However, amidst the lessons and the bond they shared, Amanda concealed one crucial secret: the true identity of Céline's father. She believed that shielding her daughter from this knowledge would protect her from the burdens of her lineage.
As the seasons turned and the years slipped away, Amanda's strength waned. The Xerxion blood, once a source of power, began to taint her body, poisoning her from within. The effects of this became the harbinger of her demise. Meanwhile, time took its toll on the old farmer, Mr. Thompson, as age claimed his vitality. The passing of these two beloved figures left Céline standing alone, the weight of their absence pressing upon her fragile heart.
One fateful day, Amanda's old boss paid an unexpected visit to their humble abode, his presence casting an eerie atmosphere in the air. He turned his piercing gaze towards Céline, and in a cold, demanding tone, he questioned her about her knowledge of Amanda. With utmost politeness, Céline confirmed that Amanda was indeed her mother. However, her old boss's reaction was far from benign. He glared at her, his eyes filled with a mix of disdain and curiosity, as he repeated her response, emphasizing the fact that Amanda had a daughter with someone.
Céline, undeterred by his hostile demeanor, mustered the courage to inquire about his true identity. In a voice tinged with mystery, he revealed himself as Amanda's old friend and beckoned Céline to accompany him. His name was Henry Lee, a man whose striking appearance and charm concealed a dark secret. He had bartered his soul with a demon, trading it for knowledge, wealth, and eternal youth.
Henry's path had first crossed with Amanda's when she applied to work at his prestigious restaurant. From the moment he laid eyes on her, he was captivated by her beauty. However, his infatuation twisted into something sinister. Instead of cherishing her, he forced her into a life of degradation, coercing her into prostitution and subjecting her to unspeakable acts of cruelty. To his perverse delight, he reveled in her suffering, finding pleasure in her pain and misery. Though his actions may be seen as sadistic or maniacal to others, in his twisted mind, he believed himself to be a devoted lover who simply couldn't express his affections in a conventional manner.
Driven by his irrational hatred towards Céline, Henry Lee sought to exact revenge upon her for what he perceived as her role in Amanda's pregnancy. He aimed to subject her to the same torment and confinement that Amanda had endured, intending to force her into a life of prostitution. Consumed by his deep-seated resentment, he unleashed his fury upon Céline, channeling all his anger and frustration towards her.
Upon discovering her daughter's dire situation, Amanda beseeched the heavens for divine intervention, pleading for Céline to be saved from the clutches of her vengeful boss. In a miraculous turn of events, Céline managed to escape from Henry's clutches, fleeing with all her might. Determined to break free from the cycle of suffering that had plagued her family, she refused to succumb to the same fate that had befallen her mother.
Alone and destitute, Céline found herself on the streets, devoid of any means to sustain herself. Driven by her unwavering principles, she refused to resort to theft to appease her hunger, choosing instead to endure the pangs of starvation. She resigned herself to her cruel fate, accepting it as her inevitable path. In her darkest hour, consumed by despair, Céline uttered a heartfelt plea to her mother, longing for release from the burdens of her existence. She yearned for the solace of death, a respite from the trials that had plagued her young life.
It was at this moment that a demon named Suman, attuned to her desperate cries, heard
her plea and offered her a proposition. Suman, drawn to her anguish and the depths of her suffering, presented her with a chance to be liberated from her abhorrent and hellish existence. With a voice filled with both compassion and temptation, he revealed himself as her father, promising to alleviate her pain and anguish. He assured her that accepting him would grant her ultimate freedom, a release from the shackles that bound her.
Intrigued yet wary, Céline grappled with conflicting emotions. The allure of freedom from her torment tugged at her heart, even as doubt lingered in her mind. She pondered the notion that when one had already lost everything, there was nothing left to lose. Suman extended his hand, urging her to embrace the prospect of liberation and to accept him with all her heart, just as she had once done before.
Céline hesitated, torn between her desire for freedom and her lingering doubts. Yet, the weight of her pain and the yearning for release swayed her decision. She agreed to Suman's offer, accepting him into her life. In that pivotal moment, Suman claimed her soul, sealing it within the "Wring Righ," an artifact of unimaginable power. As Céline's body weakened and her spirit wavered, Suman caught her, cradling her gently in his arms. His gaze fell upon her lovely face, filled with a mix of pity and remorse, as he lamented the hellish fate that had befallen her.