Chapter One
I curse the day I gave birth to you!" Lillian's voice was laced with venom, her words piercing Luna's soul. "I regret the moment I discovered I was pregnant, wish I'd had the courage to end it all. Your worthless father abandoned me, leaving me to raise you alone. You're a constant reminder of his failures, and you've inherited his uselessness." Her eyes blazed with resentment. "I carried you for nine agonizing months, struggling to survive, and what do I get? A child who looks just like the man who shattered my heart. What's the point of it all? What have I gained from sacrificing everything for you?"
Luna stood frozen, her eyes locked on her mother's, the familiar torrent of abuse washing over her like a cold wave. She'd grown numb to the insults, but the pain still lingered, a dull ache that refused to fade. As she stood there, she wondered, What did I do to deserve this fate? When will I ever be free from this toxic cycle? Don't I deserve happiness? Don't I deserve love?
Lost in her thoughts, Luna didn't notice her mother's sinister intentions. The scent of burning flesh jolted her back to reality as the hot iron seared her skin. "Ahhhhh!" she screamed, the agony coursing through her body like liquid fire.
Tears streaming down her face, Luna pleaded, "What did I do to deserve this? You're my mother, for God's sake! How can you treat me like this?" Her voice cracked with desperation.
Lillian's response was a slap in the face. "You didn't do anything. I just hate you." Her voice was devoid of emotion, her eyes cold and unforgiving.
As Luna reeled from the verbal blow, Lillian's anger boiled over. "How dare you zone out when I'm talking to you, you cursed child!" she screamed, her voice echoing through the room like a condemnation.