Emma Hamilton sat on the edge of the worn, creaking bed that occupied the corner of her makeshift room. The bed, with its sagging mattress and rusty springs, was a stark contrast to the lavish bedrooms her family members enjoyed in the same house. The room, if one could even call it that, was nothing more than a storage closet repurposed into a living space—a small, windowless area crammed with old furniture and forgotten belongings. The walls were bare, save for a few peeling patches of wallpaper. The air was thick with the scent of dust and mildew, and the only light came from a dim, naked bulb hanging from the ceiling.
In one corner stood an ancient wooden wardrobe, its doors hanging askew and its surface marred with scratches. It had no lock, and the hinges squeaked ominously whenever Emma dared to open it. Her meager belongings were folded neatly inside, a pitiful collection of clothes that had long since gone out of fashion. There was no mirror in her room, and the only luxury she had was an old, threadbare blanket she clung to at night for warmth.
This was her reality—a reality hidden from the world, a far cry from the life people imagined for the only daughter of the powerful Hamilton family. The Hamiltons were among the most influential families globally, their wealth and power unmatched. Her grandfather, Marshall Everett Hamilton, was a revered founding marshal, a man of honor who had shaped the nation's military. Her father, Richard Hamilton, was a business magnate, a man who commanded empires with a mere word. Each of her six brothers held positions of power that anyone would envy—leaders in the military, politics, science, entertainment, and even the underworld.
Yet here she was, confined to a squalid room that was less inviting than the servants' quarters. Even the maids' rooms were furnished with care, offering comfort and warmth—something Emma's room sorely lacked.
The reason for this cruel treatment was no secret to Emma. It was her stepmother, Miriam Anderson, who had wormed her way into the Hamilton household after Emma's mother had passed away. Miriam was beautiful and charming on the outside, but beneath that facade lay a heart full of malice and envy. She had spent years poisoning the minds of Emma's family against her, turning them cold and distant.
"She's nothing but trouble," Miriam would say, her voice dripping with false concern whenever she spoke to Richard or Emma's brothers. "Always causing problems, always bringing shame to our family."And with every word, Emma's family's affection for her dwindled until it was replaced by a simmering resentment.
As a result, Emma was not only confined to this dismal room but was also barred from joining the family at the dinner table. Her meals were delivered to the storeroom on a tray, and she ate alone, surrounded by boxes of forgotten things. The isolation was suffocating, but it was better than enduring the cold stares and harsh words that awaited her in the grand dining hall.
"Emma!" The sharp voice of a maid broke through her thoughts. The door to the storeroom swung open, and a tray was shoved into her hands. The maid didn't bother to look at her, muttering something under her breath as she quickly left.
Emma sighed, staring down at the meager meal—stale bread and a small bowl of soup that was more water than substance. She had learned long ago not to expect anything more. Carefully, she placed the tray on the rickety nightstand beside her bed and sat down, her thoughts drifting as she ate.
If the world knew how the Hamilton family's only daughter was treated, they would be stunned. The Hamiltons were synonymous with power, wealth, and influence. Yet here was their heiress, reduced to living like a servant, discarded by those who should have cherished her.
But what hurt the most wasn't the physical discomfort of her surroundings; it was the emotional abandonment. Emma had once adored her family, looking up to her grandfather, father, and brothers as her heroes. She had idolized her oldest brother, Colonel Alexander Hamilton, who was hailed as a rising star in the military, and her second brother, Senator Samuel Hamilton, whose political acumen was unrivaled. She had admired Logan, the third brother, for his rebellious spirit, Ethan for his strategic mind, Christopher for his brilliance, and Matthew for his sensitivity and artistic talent. They were her world, and once upon a time, she had been theirs.
But all of that had changed when Miriam came into their lives. Now, Emma was nothing more than a burden—a stain on the Hamilton name, or so she had been led to believe.
"Why do you even bother?" Emma whispered to herself, pushing the tray aside. Her appetite had vanished as quickly as it had come.
As she lay down on the bed, pulling the thin blanket over herself, she couldn't help but wonder how much longer she could endure this life. How much longer could she remain in a house where she was unloved, unwanted?
The answer, she feared, was not much longer.