A Childhood of Neglect
Emily had never seen the world, but she felt its cruelty with every breath.
Born blind in a family that prized appearance above everything else, she grew up in the shadows. Her two sisters were praised for their beauty and charm, while Emily was hidden away, treated like an embarrassment.
When Emily was just five, her mother passed away. From then on, her father grew harsher, colder, and full of resentment. He never called her by name—just “that girl.” He wouldn’t let her sit at the table during meals or be near guests. To him, she was nothing but a burden.
By the time she turned twenty-one, his cruelty reached a breaking point.
