CHAPTER 1
THE BEGINNING
My life began on the island of Isis in the west Midstream Sea. I was an only child. On February 14, my town's boardwalk and dock were filled with awaiting spectators. It was the first event on the mainland since the port was opened for big ships to come into city. Some brave souls could not wait for the first ship to arrive so they waited in their parked small sloops along the port gates. I was barely seven years old about to turn eight in March. I was standing on the docks with my mom waiting for my dad to return from a year long trip. I saw my dad first. I released her hand and run to my dad. My dad scooped me and lifted me in the air as he usually does and kissed me on the cheek.
"Dad, Dad, I missed you!"
I began pulling him by his sleeve.
"Dad, dad, mom is waiting for us! There she is!" I was pointing at her.
My mom was a stunning lady, very slim and tall. She had blue sky color eyes and radiant blonde hair. She saw us and run towards us. Her long hair floated freely in the air. My dad grabbed her and lifted her in the air.
"My lovelies, I missed you two soo much!"
He wrapped his arm around her and the other around me.
My dad loaded his luggage into our yacht. We headed home to our little island we owned. It is only 10 acres island we owned surrounded by forest and beautiful hills. My dad built me a water slide and gave me a horse for my fifth birthday. We had one stable with 3 horses, black, and two pure whites. One white horse was mine. Her name was Eve. My dad brought her for my 5th birthday. Eve was my responsibility. He used to tell me that I am a big girl and encouraged me to be responsible. I would ride my dad's black horse with him whenever he was around. My mom was a great mom and a wonderful wife.
We got to the house within an hour. My dad promised me before he left that he was going to give me a gift.
"Dad, what did you get me?" I asked.
"You will get your presents after dinner. Then your mommy and I will go to the town. You will stay with your nanny." He kissed me on the cheek and sent me to help mom with baking. My mom was baking an apple pie, my favorite desert. I was a sweet tooth. During quick snack time my dad was telling us stories about the people he run into. Later that day, before dinner, my dad and my mom sat outside on the bench sharing a bottle of wine he brought. I run outside. It was a very clear day after a few days of non-stop freezing rain.
"Lilly! Where are you running to??" my dad asked.
"To catch a rainbow, dad!" I yelled.
"Be careful, stay away from the cliff." My dad yelled.
We had a dinner a couple of hours later. Just before I went to bed my dad gave me a train set and helped me to put it together around my bed. My mom wasn't too happy. She thought I would slip and fall in the middle of a night if I got up. Just before my mom and dad went out on a date, he came to my room and read me a good night story. It was about the sailors; I did not hear the end of it because I fell asleep. My parents went out on a date in the city. I knew my dad would be home for a year. That is the last time when I saw my parents.
I woke up early in the morning; my nanny who was my best friend in the whole wide world was sitting on the bed and crying.
"What is wrong, Nanna?" I asked.
She hugged me and told me that my parents died as they were coming home. The coast guard and volunteers were looking for them for a few days. I cried for a week. My mom had no siblings but my dad had one sister, Lenora. She was one member of the family who resented my mom. I was too young to understand why. My world shattered. I was shipped out to my dad's sister, who lived on the mainland 3 hours away. The court granted the full custody to Aunt Lenora. My father's will was introduced in the courtroom. I was too young to understand what was going on. I distinctly remember a set of numbers being thrown in the court. I was supposed to marry this man who knew what the numbers meant. Thinking back I did try to understand why no one opened the big envelope. I was told by an attorney, I would have to reach 18 or be married at the age of 18.
My aunt changed my last name to my mom's maiden name, Casani, instead of Linneken, which was my dad's last name. We left the courthouse. My aunt Lenora pushed me into a car and ordered the driver to take us to the house. I thought she would be happy to have me there since she has no children of her own and I am the only surviving relative. I was so used to seeing people in my house for all festivals and holidays, people would have been properly dressed in elegant and exclusive gowns and suits I didn't see any other lifestyle.
I got into her house, which was very dark and cold. She instantly escorted me up the wooden step into the attic and locked me in there. I was carrying a little bag with clothes. I was not allowed to take my dad's present. The attic had cobwebs and a little window which was sealed. I tried to open but had no luck. One of the governesses of the house brought me linens and a pillow. I was ordered to go to sleep without dinner. I was hungry! I spent horrific two years at my auntie's house. I scrubbed, I was deprived from attending school, I was constantly punished and mentally abused. The only food I received was 200 grams 3 times a day. I would steal scraps from the kitchen. My aunt's husband was not fond of me either. He would not punish me just twice a week or once a week but constantly. He bullied and punished me for every little detail. Habitually out of fear I obeyed them both. I was doing house chores 16 hours a day. I was not allowed to go play outside. The only fresh air I would get if I would have to wash windows. I used to love reading. My dad would read for hours at a time. In the living room there was a huge wooden shelf. I hid behind the heavy long curtain and read one page at a time between the cleanings. One day my aunt found me reading.
She grabbed me by my back of my dress and threw me against the wall on the other side of the room.
"You disobedient rat, what were you doing behind the curtain? Destroying my books?" she yelled.
"I was reading, my dear aunt."
"Future whores like you do not deserve anything. Your fucking parents are dead, you have NOTHING! You hear me? NOTHING!!! I have been waiting for so long for this day."
She grabbed me again and dragged me to the room that was under the house. She opened the hatch and threw me there like I was dirty laundry and locked me in this cold room. I was shivering despite the fact it was summer. Eventually, a governess opened the hatch and dragged to the living room.
My aunt picked up a riding crop and lifted my chin.
"I have a surprise for you." She laughed ferociously like a beast. "You will be going to boarding school. Why didn't I think of that earlier?" she continued laughing. "
Girls, feed her with usual and take her upstairs. When Doctor Phillips comes, bring her here. We will have a little chat."
I went upstairs. I got locked in yet again. Later in the evening after the sunset, I heard the doorbell. My little heart was pounding and I was thinking "Here we go!"
I was let out. One governess grabbed me by two arms, lifted me and came down. I was screaming "LET ME GO!"
"Madam, as you requested."
She let me down easy, curtseyed and left.
My cheeks were glowing darker shade of pink, my heart was pounding and my hair strands were unattended. My aunt was sitting in her usual seat by the fireplace. "Get up, you little whore!" she said with such angry tone that sent shivers down my spine.
She introduced me to this gray hair old guy "Doctor Phillips, this disobedient whore I was mentioning you when we talked on the phone."
He made a signal for me to approach. I got up and approached him. He looked at me up and down then turned me around and asked "Mrs. Launa, how old is she?"
She replied "Nine, doctor"
"Kind of small for a nine year old."
"She does not work hard enough to earn her food."
"I see."
"Little girl, what is your name?"
"My name is Lillith Linneken, sir."
"DO NOT put your name next to your father's last name, you dirty whore!" my aunt yelled. "Her last name is Casani, her whore mother's name!"
"Lilly, are you a good child?"
I shrugged.
"Tell the doctor about your lazy ass!" My aunt continued yelling at me.
