The Girl Who Once Endured Every Cruelty

The Girl Who Once Endured Every Cruelty

Bang!

The deafening gunshot echoed through the living room, the bullet slicing past Roy's ear before lodging itself into the wooden door behind him. The sharp crack was followed by complete silence.

Even the ticking grandfather clock in the corner seemed to fade beneath the sound of everyone's ragged breathing.

Roy instinctively touched his ear. His eyes widened at the smear of blood on his fingertips.

"You crazy bitch!" he barked, recovering from his shock. "Have you finally lost your damn mind?"

He took a furious step toward her.

Alana's grip tightened around the pistol despite the violent tremor running through her arms. She raised it higher, aiming directly between his eyes. Her heartbeat pounded so hard she could hear it in her ears, but her voice remained steady.

"Another step," she said quietly, "and the next bullet won't miss your stupid face."

Roy froze.

For the first time in years, genuine fear flashed across his face.

That single expression reminded Alana of every bruise, every insult, and every sleepless night she'd endured under this roof.

She wasn't staying another day.

The pistol felt unbearably heavy. She had never fired a gun before today and prayed she wouldn't have to again. She didn't want blood on her conscience. She only wanted to leave.

The cut on her lower lip still stung from the slap Roy had given her that morning. Beneath the sleeves of her sweater, fresh bandages covered both wrists, hiding the wounds her stepsister had gleefully inflicted days earlier in one of her cruel games.

Enough was enough.

"Baby... Alana, sweetheart, please put the gun down," Stephanie pleaded, tears filling her eyes as she stretched out a shaky hand.

Alana didn't spare her a glance.

"I am not your sweetheart," she replied coldly. "You stopped being my mother the day you chose him over me."

Stephanie recoiled as though the words had struck her harder than any slap.

"Alana..." she whispered.

From behind Stephanie, Lilith peeked out cautiously, making sure her mother remained between herself and the gun. She was using the woman as a shield, just in case any bullet came flying her way.

"What has gotten into you?" she asked, her voice filled with disbelief. "You've completely lost your mind."

A bitter smile touched Alana's lips.

"What finally got into me is common sense." Her gaze shifted back to Roy. "Move away from the door."

Roy clenched his jaw.

"You think you can threaten me with my own gun?" he sneered.

"I know I can."

Silence stretched between them.

Alana refused to lower the weapon, and Roy no longer seemed eager to test whether she was bluffing.

After several tense seconds, he stepped aside.

The moment the path cleared, Alana reached for the small roller suitcase beside the couch. She dragged it behind her without taking her eyes off Roy, retreating one careful step after another until she reached the front door.

Only then did she unlock it.

"You'll regret this!" Roy shouted after her.

She halted.

A soft chuckle escaped her lips before she slowly turned around.

"Regret leaving this place?" she asked, shaking her head. "The only thing I'll regret is not ending your miserable life while I had the chance."

Roy's expression darkened.

Alana tilted her head slightly, studying him with unsettling calm.

"I'm still thinking about it," she continued. "So if I were you, I'd stop talking before I change my mind."

His mouth snapped shut.

For years he had watched her lower her head, apologize for things she never did, and quietly endure every humiliation thrown at her.

Today, that girl was gone.

Satisfied, Alana turned around and walked out without another word.

The iron gate closed behind her with a loud metallic clang as she left the estate.

She finally had what she'd longed for... Freedom.

The word echoed through her mind, yet instead of relief, an unfamiliar numbness settled inside her chest. Her fingers loosened around the gun as she made her way down the quiet street, but they still refused to let it go completely.

She had imagined this moment countless times. She thought she'd cry, or scream. Instead, she simply kept walking. Once she was a safe distance away, she threw the gun into the trees.

The taxi she'd booked earlier was already waiting at the end of the road. The driver hurried out to load her suitcase into the trunk before opening the back door for her.

"To the airport?" he confirmed politely.

Alana nodded.

As the car pulled away, she stared through the rear window.

The house slowly disappeared from view until it became nothing more than another building on the street.

No matter how small it looked from a distance, she knew the horrors inside those walls would follow her for a long time.

She rested her forehead against the cool glass and closed her eyes. Only one thing mattered. She was never going back there.

The drive to the airport passed in near silence.

The driver occasionally glanced at her through the rearview mirror, perhaps expecting conversation, but one look at her exhausted face seemed to convince him otherwise.

The airport buzzed with activity, but Alana barely noticed. Her grip tightened around the handle of her suitcase as she checked over her shoulder for what felt like the hundredth time. Even after boarding the plane, she couldn't shake the feeling that Roy would somehow appear and drag her back.

Minutes later, the plane took off.

Alana watched the city grow smaller beneath the clouds until it disappeared completely. A strange weight lifted from her chest, and for the first time in years, she felt as though she could breathe without fear tightening around her throat.

******

Several hours later, the taxi rolled to a stop in front of an elegant wrought-iron gate.

Alana lowered the window slightly, taking in the cool afternoon breeze. The peaceful neighborhood was nothing like the place she had left behind.

She smiled to herself. This was exactly the fresh start she needed.

Stepping out of the taxi, she wheeled her suitcase toward the intercom and pressed the bell. A few moments later, the gates slowly swung open, a familiar middle-aged man walking toward her.

His face lit up with surprise at seeing her.

"Young miss?" Brandon exclaimed, blinking several times as if he couldn't believe his eyes. "You've grown into such a beautiful young lady."

Alana couldn't help smiling.

"It's good to see you again, Mr. Brandon."

He hurried forward and gently took the suitcase from her hand.

"We weren't expecting you until next week," he said as they walked through the spacious compound. "Madam would've come home early if she'd known."

"I decided to leave earlier than planned," Alana explained. "I wanted enough time to settle in before classes begin. I would've called Aunt Rosalind, but I only got a new phone a few days ago. I don't have her number yet."

Brandon nodded in understanding.

"Madam is still at work, but I'll let her know you've arrived. She'll be overjoyed."

A warmth spread through Alana's chest.

Rosalind had always made this house feel like home and treated her with kindness during her visits here. Back then, leaving had always been the hardest part. Perhaps this time, she wouldn't have to leave.

Brandon unlocked the bedroom she usually occupied during her visits and carried her suitcase inside.

"I had one of the maids prepare everything this morning," he said with a proud smile. "If there's anything else you need, don't hesitate to ask."

"Thank you, Mr. Brandon."

After he left, Alana quietly closed the bedroom door behind her.

The room was exactly as she remembered. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the manicured garden, while elegant cream furnishings gave the space a warm, luxurious feel. More importantly, it felt safe.

Rosalind returned home an hour later.

The moment she stepped into the living room and saw Alana descending the staircase, the handbag slipped from her shoulder.

"Oh my goodness," she breathed.

A smile spread across Alana's face as she hurried down the remaining steps. Before she could say a word, Rosalind wrapped her in a tight embrace.

"I've missed you so much."

Alana stiffened for a brief second. It had been so long since someone hugged her. She slowly returned the hug.

"I've missed you too, Aunt."

Rosalind finally pulled away, cupping Alana's face with both hands.

"You've become even more beautiful. Look at you."

Alana chuckled softly, a faint blush tainting her cheeks.

"You always say that."

"And I'll keep saying it." Rosalind smiled before linking their arms together. "Come on. The cook made your favorite."

They settled at the dining table, talking about school, New York, and everything in between.

"Where's Ryan?" Alana asked after noticing the empty seat.

Rosalind sighed.

"Probably with his friends. That boy hardly comes home on weekends anymore."

Alana nodded thoughtfully. It had been at least three years since she last saw her cousin. She wondered how much he had changed.

Halfway through dinner, Rosalind hesitated before asking carefully,

"Have you spoken to your mother since you arrived?"

The question instantly erased the smile from Alana's face.

"No."

Rosalind studied her quietly before reaching across the table and squeezing her hand.

"You don't have to tell me anything if you're not ready. Just know this house is yours for as long as you want it."

Alana forced a smile.

"Thank you, Aunt."

After taking a shower, Alana unpacked the last few things from her suitcase. At the bottom lay her sketchbook.

She opened it, smiling faintly at the familiar drawings before stopping at an old photograph tucked between the pages.

It was a picture of the landscape painting she had completed when she was thirteen.

Her fingers brushed over the image.

"I'll get you back someday," she whispered before slipping the photograph back inside and closing the book.

She switched off the bedside lamp and lay beneath the covers.

The silence of the room felt awfully strange, but soothing.

A small smile appeared on her lips as sleep slowly started to creep in.

Her phone vibrated. Frowning, Alana sat up and reached for it.

It was a text from an unknown number. She tapped the message.

[ Did you think you could escape from me?]

Her heart lurched as she read those words. Another message came in seconds later.

[I'll bring you back home.]

The color drained from her face. Nobody had her new number. Her trembling fingers tightened around the phone as she hurried to the window and pulled the curtain aside.

Across the street, a black SUV sat quietly beneath one of the streetlights. Its headlights were turned off.

Alana's pulse hammered in her ears as one terrifying thought crossed her mind.

Roy had found her.