A week passed, and everything had been settled. Today marked my departure to the Wharton’s estate.

“It’s time for you to go. I won’t be able to take care of you now.” I kneeled on the ground, facing the kitten that sat on the wooden bench. My hands smacked my legs before getting up, letting the creature in the garden, alone to do its bidding; however, no matter how many times he was placed back on the bench, he would still follow me like a young, loyal pup.

As his red eyes sparkled brightly, a long sigh left me, not knowing whether to take him with me or not. “What am I even doing...”

Unexpectedly, loud footsteps echoed along the flow of the wind. It was only when my body rose and looked back that I saw the puffed cheeks of my sister, alongside her hateful glare. “Ophelia, you are such a whore!”

“Well, I did learn from the best, didn’t I, sister?” At my sarcasm, Amanda’s face twisted, and her cheeks tainted in an even brighter red. “If you hadn’t taught me the way to seduce men, I would never...”

As the words left my mouth, a slight burning pain appeared on my cheek, preventing me from finishing my sentence. It was only after a couple of seconds that I realized what had happened. My dear, caring sister had slapped me. Slowly, my head turned, a complete blank canvas on my face.

“Shut up, wench. I know you tried to seduce Bradley, but you failed. How sad.” Right before giving me time to reply, she slapped my cheek once again, however this strike was far weaker than the first. Her hand was as red and hurtful as my skin, no doubt. “That’s what you get for trying to take what’s not yours.”

Bitch. I thought to myself, seeing how wide her prideful smile was. Her ideas and stupid considerations were stamped all over her face.

“Sister, let me tell you a secret.” Grabbing her shoulder with my left hand and pulling her toward me, my fist greeted her abdomen. She gasped for air, saliva flying from her mouth, arms clenching onto my cloak, legs barely holding on. That’s how she was after a single hit.

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I continued, whispering in her ear. “You will never have Bradley’s heart.” My knee then rose from the ground, striking her right in her torso once again. She began coughing repeatedly before thumping on the floor, arms covering her stomach. Pained groans exited her body at an abnormal rate. “And you are truly delusional if you think he is yours.”

Tears rolled down her flushed cheeks as she glared at me with a strange mixture of emotions. Anger, confusion, frustration, hatred, come take your pick.

After regaining some of her strength, she yelled. “You... I will tell Father!”

My body kneeled right in front of her, an amused smirk on my face. “Be my guest. That asshole can’t touch me anymore, and neither can you.” In a single swing, my hand slapped her right cheek harshly, cutting her face slightly with our mother’s golden ring.

Her eyes widened, completely shocked by my words. The truth was, once I was in the Wharton’s estate, my whole being would become their property, having the Duke and my dear sister little to no influence on my affairs.

“Now, Amanda, shall I teach you how to create a curse? Tell me, how do you wish to die?” One of my hands removed some wild strands of hair from her precious, ghostly pale face. “In a fire, perhaps? Maybe... with your pretty insides dripping out? No, I know...”

I approached my face onto her ear, whispering softly. “Being consumed by men until you lose your sanity?”

She yelled a single syllable, completely horrified by the vivid scenarios in my mind. After straightening my back, a wide grin spread across my lips. “I can tell you, it always starts with blood...” With my other hand, I caressed her cut cheek, removing some of the blood dripping from her wound. “... and with someone already cursed...”

In a soft movement, I took the finger to my lips and licked the fluid. It was strangely sweet. As bloodlust accumulated in her eyes, her true feelings came afloat, a mixture of hatred and pure horror of the monstrous actions she was witnessing. Yes, Amanda... fear me more... hate me more...

“You...” Amanda struggled to speak as she tried to rise back to her feet. Her legs wobbled slightly, probably from the pain and lack of strength. “You are insane!”

At a very weird pace, she turned her heels and ran towards the house as fast as she could. With the state of her body, I could easily catch up to her, however, there was no need to delay my departure further.

You can run for now, little rabbit, but there is no hole deep enough for you to hide in. I chuckled slightly as my heart wrapped itself in a wicked desire to ruin her completely.