As a little girl, Celine took over the chores of Larry's deceased wife. Each day, she washed clothes, cooked meals, and endured his abuse. Larry would yank her hair, kick her, and whip her with a belt. Those days were almost unbearable.

As Celine grew older, her beauty became strikingly evident in the countryside. But with her beauty came an even greater nightmare. Larry's lecherous gaze turned predatory. He would force her onto his lap, pressing his alcohol-laden, sweat-drenched face against hers.

Bathing at night, she'd lock the door with trembling hands. But when she glanced back, she would see his leering eyes peering through the crack, a sick grin spread across his face. These memories haunted her childhood like a recurring nightmare.

One day, Larry brought two drinking buddies home. They teased him, saying, "Larry, why don't you find yourself a new wife?"

Larry chuckled darkly. "My new wife's already at home; she just needs a little more time to grow up."

His friends grinned knowingly. "Damn, Larry. We'd kill for that kind of luck."

Terrified, Celine fled the house. Her hands trembled as she dialed Lucy's number from a village payphone. When the call connected, tears streamed down her face like broken beads. She sobbed, "Mom Mom, please save me"

But the voice that answered was Carly's, haughty and gleeful. "Who are you? This is my mom's phone, not yours. My mom only has one daughter, and that's me."

Celine froze.

Moments later, Lucy's soft voice came through. "Carly, my sweet little princess, it's your birthday today! Come see the pearl crown I got for you. Your classmates are here and asking for you. Don't forget to perform that dance for them later, okay?"

Carly nodded with joy. "Thanks, Mom!"

That was Carly's birthday. Celine hung up in despair. Unable to return to Larry's house, she wandered aimlessly until she found herself in a forest. There, she found the gravely injured Adam.

Adam told her he would take her away, that if no one else wanted her, he would. That night, they clung to each other for warmth. But by dawn, Adam was burning with fever, muttering, "Water water"

She left the cave to find herbs and water to lower his fever. But when she returned, the cave was empty. Adam was gone.

She waited for him in the cave for days, convinced he would return. She truly believed he wouldn't abandon her. But Larry found her first. He had been searching for her. He slapped her hard, sending her sprawling. His face twisted with rage. "You little bitch! How dare you run away! You're mine, got it?"

Breathing heavily, he pinned her down and snapped, "Let's see if you dare run away again!" She shook violently, her teeth chattering with terror. Desperately, she grabbed a sharp stick she'd kept for protection and drove it into Larry's eye with all her strength. Larry collapsed, blood pouring from his face. One of his eyes was ruined.

Celine handed him over to the authorities, and Larry was sentenced to ten years in prison.

Celine closed her eyes, pulling herself free from the suffocating darkness of her past. They say an unhappy childhood takes a lifetime to heal. Over the years, she had worked tirelessly to escape that painful, helpless past. She was going to save herself.

The evening breeze was cool and refreshing. Around her, couples and friends laughed and strolled down the lively streets. Feeling a sudden chill, Celine crossed her arms and hugged herself. She was all alone.