I sat in the semi-darkness of my room, the smell of old books lingering in the air.

The only light in the room came from the moonlight streaming in through the window, casting a dim, ghostly glow over the room.

The smell of old books lingering in the air. All I could hear was the distant laughter from the garden, while my stomach grumbled, protesting the fact that I hadn't eaten anything since the day before.

I tried to concentrate on my book, but my body's hunger was too distracting to ignore.

Through my window, I could see the guests laughing and chatting, enjoying themselves.

The mansion was usually quiet, but tonight was different. It was the eve of my half-sister Michelle's wedding, and the excitement in the air was palpable.

Michelle always had the best of everything—the best clothes, the best jewelry, the best life.

After all, she was the legitimate daughter of the jones family.

While Michelle was treated like a princess, I was nothing more than the consequence of a sordid affair. Everyone made sure I never forgot this, even the maids who looked down on me with disgust.

And tonight, my father made it abundantly clear that I was not allowed to take part in the wedding festivities. He locked me in my room and ordered me to stay there until the celebration was over.

But hunger tore at my insides, reminding me that I hadn't eaten the whole day. The irresistible aroma of food coming from the kitchen made my mouth water and my stomach growl.

Despite my half-sister's lavish wedding, I was left alone, forgotten and famished.

The only option I had left was to sneak into the kitchen, I knew it was risky, but the hunger had grown too much for me to bear.Reaching over to the bedside table, I picked up the lamp and removed the spare key I had hidden inside.

Being the illegitimate child of the Jones family, I had learned long ago to always have a backup plan, especially when it came to Michelle. She enjoyed making my life miserable by stealing and ruining my things.

With my heart pounding, I carefully turned the lock with the hidden key and eased the door open. The hallway was a frenzy of motion, with maids scurrying about, oblivious to my presence.

Knowing that they would not aid me, I silently slipped out and crept toward the kitchen.The kitchen was a hive of activity, the air thick with the aroma of roasting meats, simmering sauces, and freshly baked pastries.

The banquet table was laden with a staggering variety of dishes, each more enticing than the last.

My stomach rumbled in anticipation, and I hastily grabbed a plate, loading it with succulent meats, rich gravies, and decadent desserts.

As I began to devour the delicious feast, I couldn't help but wonder how my half-sister and her guests could enjoy themselves while I was left to starve. It wasn't fair.

Michelle was always the golden child, the one who got everything while I was left with nothing.Just as I was savoring a bite of roast beef, I heard a sudden commotion outside the kitchen.

My father's voice pierced the air, and my heart sank. The malice in his voice sent shivers down my spine as he addressed me by my name, "Griselda."I knew there was no point in denying the obvious, so I kept my head down, desperately trying to finish the food on my plate before he got to me.

But I was too late. His hands grabbed mine, pulling me away from the feast as I struggled to break free."Let me go!" I cried out, but his grip was too strong.

The room fell silent as the other guests watched my father drag me away from the table and out of the kitchen, up the elegant staircase with its rich mahogany banisters.

The living room, with its velvet couches and shimmering chandeliers, seemed to mock me with its grandeur as I passed through it.

My father muttered apologies as we ascended the stairs, but I could see the anger in his eyes, a rage that I knew would soon be unleashed upon me.

As we reached the top of the grand staircase, he kicked open the door to my room, my father's anger boiled over. With a sudden force, he shoved me against the solid frame of my bed, the impact sending a sharp pain through my chest.

Gasping for air, I looked up to see him looming over me, his eyes ablaze with rage."I gave you simple instructions, Griselda!" he spat, emphasizing each word as if it were a weapon. "Stay away from the kitchen, the living room, the ceremonial premises. Is that too much for you to handle?"

I winced at his venomous words, but defiance boiled within me."You might as well kill me now, rather than letting me starve and keeping me locked up!" I snapped, daring to defy my father once again.

His hand lashed out in a lightning-quick slap across my cheek. The sting radiated through my face as his voice thundered, "You don't talk to me like that, you ungrateful brat! I raised you when your whore of a mother left you, just to whore around !"The mention of my mother sent a wave of shock through me.

Tears welled in my eyes as I touched the red, stinging mark on my cheek, my father's anger almost palpable in the air. For as long as I could remember, he had been a cold and distant presence in my life, but he'd never spoken of my mother before.

My thoughts raced as I tried to understand why he was bringing her up now. Had something happened all those years ago that I didn't know about? And why had he chosen to keep this hidden from me?

"What do you mean?" I whispered, the fear and confusion evident in my voice.

The door opened with a sudden click, breaking the tense atmosphere in the room as Stella, my stepmother, rushed in, her face a portrait of worry.

She clutched an envelope in her hand and thrust it towards my father, who looked up in confusion, a mix of curiosity and concern etched on his face.

"What's wrong, dear?" he asked Stella, his brows furrowing as he examined her pale face.Opening the envelope, his eyes scanned the contents, the color rapidly draining from his face. His grip tightened on the papers, a silent rage building up within him.

In an instant, his fingers closed around the papers and crumpled them with a force that echoed through the room, before he hurled them across the floor in an explosive display of anger.

I watched in silence as the papers floated down like fallen leaves, the suspense in the air palpable. Slowly, I picked them up, curiosity overwhelming me, and read the single line written inside.