CHAPTER 3
Emily curls up on her narrow bed, the thin blanket offering little protection against the chill. Exhaustion pulls her under, the worries of the day receding into a fitful sleep. She dreams of open fields and a bright future, a stark contrast to the reality she faces. Suddenly, a harsh voice shatters the fragile peace. "Get up, you lazy good-for-nothing!" Her aunt's words are like a slap, jolting Emily awake. The door to her small room is flung open, revealing her aunt's furious face framed by the dim hallway light. "Sleeping in the day away while I slave around here?" she snarls, her eyes filled with disdain.Emily sits up slowly, trying to gather her thoughts. "I wasn't sleeping all day, Aunt Rebecca," Emily says, her voice calm despite the tremor in her hands. "I lost my job, and I was out looking for another one. I'm tired, but I'm not lazy." Emily meets her aunt's gaze, refusing to back down. "I'm trying to make something of myself," Emily adds, her voice gaining strength and fear.the air crackles with tension as Aunt Carol's face contorts with rage. "Don't you dare talk back to me!" she screams, her hand flying out before Emily can react. A sharp sting explodes across Emily's cheek, the force of the blow knocking her head to the side. Emily's vision blurs for a moment, the shock momentarily stealing her breath. She touches her stinging cheek, her eyes welling with tears of anger and humiliation
. Aunt Rebecca turns and storms out of the room, slamming the door behind her.
Emily sits in stunned silence, the imprint of her aunt's hand burning on her face. Tears well up in her eyes, blurring her vision. A sob escapes her lips, followed by another, and another. Emily is consumed by a wave of grief and despair. She clutches her arms around herself, rocking back and forth, the weight of her loneliness crushing her.
Later, the sun beats down mercilessly as Emily trudges down the street, her feet aching and her hope dwindling. Rejection after rejection has chipped away at her resolve, leaving her feeling hollow and defeated. Suddenly, a screech of tires pierces the air. Emily barely has time to react before a sleek, black limousine swerves wildly, narrowly missing her. Emily stumbles backward, her heart hammering against her ribs.Later, the sun beats down mercilessly as Emily trudges down the street, her feet aching and her hope dwindling.
Emily's pent-up frustration explodes. "Are you crazy?!" Emily yells, her voice cracking with anger and exhaustion. She storms towards the limousine, her hands balled into fists. "You could have killed me!" Emily shouts, oblivious to the curious glances of passersby. She slams her hand against the hood of the car, the sound echoing in the street. "Who do you think you are, driving like that?" Emily demands, her eyes blazing with righteous fury.