"Cinderella was bullied. She had a very bad childhood. But one day, she got freedom. She met her prince charming. All her miseries ended." Clara Taylor read the Cinderella book which she kept on her old shelf.

She always loved fairy tales ever since she was just 5 years old. But she had no idea that she would be having a real dairy tale life in her fate.

A dry chuckle passed her lips. The first half of the Cinderella tale is never-ending anytime soon in her life.

She looked at her soft smooth skin of legs. There were so many marks. Some reminded her of betrayal. Some reminded her of the truth of this world.

The only thing that could differentiate her from Cinderella is that Clara knows why she was enduring every torture and what she needs to do to escape them.

Also, they are a well-known family in the city. So Clara's father has all sorts of servants in their home. Clara is grateful that she is at least living a comfortable life without being dragged to do all household chores like those shown in the tale.

But is it that was that what she is doing now? Clara is just living physically there, enduring all insults and humiliations. She would rather be dead.

"Sister, did grandma give you a punishment again?" Paxton asked, grabbing my hand. His eyes teared up automatically seeing the fresh wound in Clara's shoulder.

The thought of death vanished into thin air as Clara smiled broadly seeing her ten years old brother. She has to stay strong for her. She has to fight everyone so that she can have a better future for her brother.

"She can try forever. But I won't give her that satisfaction to break me" Clara said and kissed Paxton's forehead. Paxton smiled shyly and blinked away the tears.

"Father loves you a lot. Why don't you share these all with our father?" His innocent question made her remember the worst day of her life. The first betrayal she ever got from her own father.

Flashback

Many years ago. It was even before Paxton came into her life.

"Dad, I am telling the truth. Grandma purposefully did it," The little Clara cried, showing the burned mark on her legs.

"Master, I didn't do this. I promise. Baby Clara fell herself. I tried to save her and even got my hands hurt," Elena, the old lady who is the head of all the housekeepers, spoke, trembling in fear. But she was glaring at Clara in intervals to send her shivers.

"Dad, she is lying." Before Clara could say anything more, Ron Taylor slapped her across her face without any regret.

Clara stood there blankly as tears rolled down her cheeks. Her father is her hero. She loves her father like anything and Ron was always been so caring towards Clara. But what happened suddenly?

Clara felt her whole world crash down as she saw the disgust on her father's face. He not only thinks that she is lying but also he punishes the little girl for something which she had no idea about.

"I see that you have started lying to me. These all happened because of your mother." her mom, Stella came to save her.

But Clara's eyes didn't leave Ron even for a second. She was glaring at her father without even wavering once.

The betrayal was too much for her to bear.

When she looked at Elena, the old lady smiled in victory.

Is it her plan to make Ron against Clara? Not at all. Clara thought that it was her fault alone to trust her father so much to get hurt in return.

Flashback ends.

That was the last day, Clara called him DAD. After a few dramas, she even stopped talking to her father except for a few things.

Clara cupped Paxton's cheeks and smiled, ignoring his question. She packed his bag for school.

"Don't forget that power and status are the only things that can save us from evil people. Study when you are young. Apply them when it's time." Clara always teaches Paxton these things. He is small. But she can't let him be small forever. He had to take care of himself in this house.

Clara took her belongings and came down to get out of this hell at least for some time earlier than usual.

Damn her timing. Everyone was there having their breakfast. Clara wished that no one noticed her.

"Clara. Have breakfast, dear," Clara closed her eyes in frustration when she turned to look at the same old lady, smiling so sweetly in front of her father.

"No. I am not hungry," she replied and turned to leave the place as soon as possible.

"Don't show your anger to the food, dear," Elena said with a sweet smile.

Ron Taylor glared at his daughter with rage. He can't take a no to anything.

"They have prepared food for you too. Don't create drama every day," Ron Taylor yelled at Clara. She flinched away at his tone. She walked slowly to the table with no more drama.

"You love pasta, right." Elena served her the hot Pasta.

As soon as she took a bite, her mouth burned every bit of her skin. It was too spicy. Clara gulped them with no reactions as if she was programmed that way. She doesn't want to complain about anything and make another issue.

She took another bite followed by a third bite and that's the limit. Her eyes teared up with it's effect. Elena had a satisfied smile when she saw her tears.

"Are you okay, dear" There came a woman in her late forties. Bella Taylor, daughter of Elena and stepmother of Clara.

It's evident now that what Elena planned on that day itself. Of course to make her daughter, Mrs Taylor by eliminating Clara and Stella.

Stella is dead long ago leaving Clara to fight alone.

"I have an important meeting," Clara mumbled and stood up abruptly. She can't take another bite of this food.