Eva's pov
The wind cut through her, a biting bitter ghust that seemed to come from the very heart of winter. It tugged at her clothes, stole her breath, and sent a fresh wave of shivers through her body, a relentless, icy enemy.
Opening the door, Eva entered the house, she could hear her family in the kitchen, laughing and chatting. Her heart pounded as she walked toward the kitchen. The room went quiet as they all acknowledged her unwanted presence.
"Where have you been?" Celeste barked.
"I hope you weren't whoring yourself out, have you?" Sarah asked.
"She was with me." A baritone voice spoke from behind her. Eva turned around and locked gazes with Soren.
His eyes softened, a smile graced his lips. "You forget about these." He said handing her clothes. "You left them at my place, and also my mom told me to give this to you."
She looked up, puzzled. "She rushed to the store this morning and got you some toiletries and some new clothes."
Eva smiled warmly accepting the bag.
"Soren." Celeste called, her voice sickenly sweet.
"Why don't you join us for breakfast?"
Soren clenched his fists, trying hard to keep his anger at bay. He despised the woman infront of him. He couldn't understand how heartless and cruel could she be toward her own daughter. What sort of mother is she?
" Eva." Her mother called." Why don't you tell your friend to join us?"
Eva swallowed. She was confused at her mother's odd behavior. Eva knew Celeste didn't like the idea of her hanging around with Soren because she was afraid Eva would tell him how she's being mistreated by her own family.
Eva didn't want to make her mother mad so she tugged at Soren's shirt and moved her feet to the table, dragging him along with her.
Soren however seemed hesitant. He hated Eva's family and being around them made his blood boil but what other choice he had? He had to please Eva, he'd do anything to make her happy even if it means putting up with her evil family.
He drew out a chair and glanced at Eva.
Eva swallowed, her eyes wide with fear.
She couldn't sit at the table. She was banned from sitting there. Her mother told her she wasn't apart of the family and that slaves don't have the privilege of dinning amongst people of high status.
Eva shook her head. She knew better than to disobey her family's rules. Soren scowled pushing back the chair.
Celeste knew Soren wouldn't join them for breakfast if Eva doesn't sit with him. Celeste was burning with rage. She hated how he cared for the worthless girl.
"Eva dear", Celeste said, her voice soft sickenly sweet. "Please do join us. I've prepared a feast since today's your father's birthday day. I wouldn't want any of it to go to waste, I've also cooked some of your favorite dishes."
Jasmine and Sarah stared at their mother as if she'd grown two horns. "What the hell happened to her?" Jasmine whispered to her sister.
"I think mother has lost her marbles." Sarah replied, staring at her mother puzzled.
Jasmine shook her head, placing down the cup. "I think she's up to something."
"You think so?" Sarah asked, her gaze still lingering on her mother.
"Yeah I think she's trying to impress Soren."
"But why would she? She hates the guy."
Jasmine shrugged. "I don't know Sarah. Maybe you should ask her."
Eva reluctantly settled down beside Soren at the table.
"So Soren." Jasmine spoke gaining his attention.
"Have you found yourself a date to the ball?"
Soren paused, peering at Jasmine.
He nodded. "Yes I have."
"Oh and who is she?" Celeste asked, curiosity gleamed in her eyes.
Soren smirked, glancing at Eva then to her sister. "You will see her at the ball."
Sarah snickered. "Oh please don't tell me it's Eva. Is she the one you're taking to the ball?"
Soren clenched his fist. "So what if I'm taking Eva?" He questioned, glaring at Sarah with disdain.
Sarah's eyes narrowed at Eva with cruel vicious delight.
"I seriously don't get it. Why do you even waste your time with this mute. It's not like she has anything to offer you."
Rage pulsed through his veins.
A muscle in Soren's jaw twitched as he pinned Sarah with a deadly glare.
Jasmine smirked." Of course she does Sarah." Jasmine sputtered.
Sarah raised a brow." And what exactly could this mute actually offer?"
" Her body obviously. It's the only thing she can offer him." Jasmine grinned wickedly, glancing between Eva and Soren.
Soren was now enraged. He could no longer control his anger. He slammed his fist on the table, startling Eva.
" Don't you dare speak of her that way. Do you understand?" He threatened.
" Jasmine." Her mother warned.
"Can't you keep that big mouth of yours shut. Do you always have to ruin everything."
"What?" Jasmine huffed, shrugging her shoulders. "I was simply just stating the facts."
"That isn't the way to speak about your sister and Soren's not just anyone. His father is the town's cheriff."
Jasmine narrowed her eyes at her mother. "You can't be serious."
"I said now." Celeste hissed.
Jasmine scoffed, glaring at Eva. "I'm not apologizing what I said is true. What else does this tramp have to offer? Other than her body."
Celeste gasped, her eyes widened. Soren had jasmine pinned to the wall, his hand wrapped around her neck.
Eva was stunned and afraid at the same time.
" Call her that one more time and I'll rip your fucking head off."
" Soren, what are you doing. Let her go." Celeste cried.
"I've had enough,"he growled. "I've been quite for too long for Eva's sake. I know how you people treat her, it's time I took this matter to the officials."
Soren released jasmine's neck and without a second glance he stormed out of the house.
Celeste was now panicking, afraid what would happen to them if Soren did go to the officials.
" You!" Jasmine snarled at Eva, yanking her by her hair." You told him to hurt me, didn't you?" She yelled as she shoved Eva on the floor.
"I don't know why you put up with her mother." Jasmine snarled, throwing a fist at Eva's face.
Eva cried out in pain and covered her face where Jasmine's fist connected with her. Sarah grabbed her wrists and pulled them to her sides while jasmine let her fists rain down on Eva. Her face took most of the hits, then her stomach and ribs. Eva could feel one of her eyes swelling and closing up. Warm, metallic liquid filled her mouth. Tears poured down from her eyes.
Eva glanced at her mother. Celeste was grinning wickedly as she watched Jasmine throw punch after punch at Eva.
How could she be so cruel and entertain this?
What sort of mother is she? That she finds it amusing to watch her older daughter beat her younger daughter to a pulp. She wondered.
"What is going on in here?" Eva heard her father's frantic voice.
"This bitch." Celeste spat kicking Eva in the stomach. "She ratted us out to
Soren that boy from across the street. He threatened us, saying he'd go to the officials and let them know how we're treating this worthless piece of scum."
Her father's jaw clenched seeing the sight of his daughter. The girl who he promised he'd protect and care but instead here she is laying on the floor in a pool of blood.
If only she was alive and saw what was happening to her beloved child, she'd bring hell upon them all and has for him, she'd be disappointed in him. She trusted him, she trusted that he'd take care of her but he lied, he never cared nor did he protect her from these cruel people.
"That's enough!" He barked.
Celeste and her daughter stared up at him confusion marring their expression.
"What?" Celeste snarled, pinning Lucas with a disapproving glare.
"If you continue any further you two will end up killing her and then everyone would suspect us. Is that what you want?"
"I don't care." Celeste shot back, her foot connecting with Eva's face.
Eva's vision began turning black and the pain faded as she slipped into unconsciousness.
A few hours later
The blue sky was dotted with fluffy white
Clouds that drifted lazily in the gentle breeze.
Eva shot up as soon as she heard her alarm clock beep.
A strangled whimper left her throat and
She instantly regretted why she had gotten up so fast her stomach felt sore and tender when she moved or breathed.
Pushing aside the blanket off her small body, she stood up and strode to the bathroom. Eva stood infront of the mirror and gasped, her pale face was marred with purple bruises. Her one eye was sealed shut.
How am I going to go to school looking like this? She thought.
But then again nobody would care or ask how she had gotten them. Everyone hated her besides Soren and his family.
Those were the only people who really cared about her.
She slowly removed her bloody clothes and kept it aside, making a mental note to get rid of it and stepped into the shower. She winced as the freezing cold water cascaded down her body.
Eva quickly stepped out of the shower, her teeth chattering as she wrapped herself in a towel and hurriedly threw on a pair of leggings and a hoodie and roughly brushed her hair into a ponytail.
She didn't want to be beaten up again for not preparing breakfast on time.