Chapter 1
The darkness is all that surrounded me. A corridor lit up with a single blink and before me, a bloodstained carpet lay.
"Winter, my sweet Winter." An unrecognizable voice had echoed around me.
My heart yearned to be closer to that voice, and unknowingly I had already begun to walk to where the voice resonated. Why was such a voice familiar to me, almost as though I had been searching and longing for it.
Reaching a dead end, a huge door had stood sturdy before me. Sealed as though locking away something that was not meant to be free.
"What is this?" I questioned as my fingers had touched the door.
Trying to push it, I huffed out a breath not getting any result. Where was I? had I not died just a moment ago? Was I not supposed to meet God in this kind of situation?
"Will you not free my, my dear Winter?" the voice cried out in agony, throwing a pang in my chest.
"Who are you?" I questioned.
"…"
"I asked who you were!" I raised my voice in frustration. I couldn't understand what was happening before me. Why is it that this door was making me feel this way?
Laughter resonated around me. The laughter I did not want to hear for the rest of my life. I fell to my knees as tears sprung into my eyes. Was I still going to get punished even after I was dead? Soo it felt as though I couldn't breathe, as my breath got stuck in my throat. I fell to the bloodstained carpet struggling to breathe. My chest writhed in pain as I closed my eyes and gasped for any air available.
Feeling as though I was about to breathe my last my eyes snapped open, as my body shivered in cold. I sat up feeling the drenched sheets as I wheeze coughing. Breathing in and out I scanned where I was, familiar faces surrounding me, only for my eyes to make contact with a familiar room. This was my bedroom.
"Oh, you're finally awake?" a voice brought me to attention.
My blue eyes locked with my half-sister's emerald green eyes. There in front of me stood my 20-year-old half-sister Anita. Her golden locks fell down her shoulders perfectly, as her laced green dress complemented her well. Her face caked up, trying to show maturity but really, she only decreased the beauty hiding underneath it.
'what is happening?' I thought to myself.
"It seems father has been too lenient on you that you have forgotten your place in this house. How dare you sleep in? are the maids supposed everything for you?" she sneered.
Technically they were maids for a reason. But I knew better than to speak up for myself as it would only lead to my downfall the very next second.
"I apologize, sister, I guess I overslept," I said in a soft hoarse voice.
"instead of looking so pathetic and pitiful, get up and get ready. Father wishes to see us. Also, Duke Anthony Dominic is here as well." She smiled slyly.
Walking out, the maids followed her none even taking a look back to see If their second lady was even okay. Sighing I got off the bed and headed straight for the mirror. The shock seemed to reflect on my face. Here I stood. 18 years old again. My youth reflecting on my skin. My silver hair shined under the glimmering sunlight. Touching my face, I couldn't help but allow myself to cry as I fell to my knees. Was this real? It seemed as though I had woken up from a nightmare that was Never-ending. Was that how I was going to be betrayed? Father, Anita and Anthony. I felt my heart clench in pain. Anthony. His betrayal felt so raw that I couldn't help but look dejected. He wanted my sister and I was just an obstacle in the way of him getting what he actually wanted.
A knock echoed through the door, making me pick my head up wiping away my tears.
"My lady, are you ready yet? The master and Lady are waiting for your presence." I heard a voice call out from behind the door. How I could never forget that voice. Ceaser. The butler that looked after me.
"I'll be there soon Ceaser, I just seemed to have overslept," I said with a heavy voice.
"Of course. When you are finished, they are in the reception room. Please make your way there." He said with a hint of hesitancy in his voice.
A small silence resonated for a minute before he spoke up again.
"umm…my lady if you are unwell, I can let the master know." He questioned with a soft voice.
"No, no, I'll be down soon. Do not worry. I'm fine." I said putting my most cheery voice.
"very well then. Then I'll be taking my leave." And soon his footsteps slowly disappeared.
Sighing I stood up and looked around my room reminiscing my life here at the Marquis house. If only my mother had not abandoned me here. Would I have been happier away from this family?
'Get a hold of yourself Winter. I need to change how this is going to flow. I don't deserve any of the treatment I'll receive now and in the future.' I thought to myself.
The first step was going to be leaving this house. But how?