She fought alone for years, until the mistress
got older, and I thought my dad would finally
come home.
But the mistress’s daughter took over where
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her mother left off.
My mom walked in on my dad with a girl my
age.
Unable to bear it, she jumped off the roof.
Everyone thought I didn’t know, they said she
was drunk and fell.-
But I had secretly come home that day, to
surprise her for her birthday. I saw her body
hit the ground.
I couldn’t understand how someone so
beautiful could have such an ugly soul.
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Her last words to me were to live a good life.
Then I met Ethan. He pulled me out of the
darkness, at least for a while.
I had loved once, in my carefree youth. I loved
the man who held me in his hands.
Back then, I was still drowning in grief over my mom’s death and my dad’s affair.
Ethan’s arrival was a lifeline. I clung to him like he was the only thing keeping me afloat.
But as it turned out, the more I invested, the more it hurt.
When I finally fell for him, he left.
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He left because the girl he truly loved finally
accepted him.
And I was just a temporary distraction.
His goddess, his pure and perfect first love, was the daughter of the woman who
destroyed my family.
Later, heartbroken, I tried to end my life.
But I was given a second chance.
The teddy bear was the last gift he gave me.
After he left, I couldn’t sleep.
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Only holding it, clinging to his lingering scent,
could I breathe.
But now, it, and everything else, was gone.
I grabbed a kitchen knife.
I stumbled towards Olivia, grabbing her hair. “Where’s my bear?”
I screamed, “Where’s my bear? Where did you put it? Give it back!”
“Tell me! Where’s my bear?”
Ethan sighed impatiently. “It’s just a doll.
What’s the big deal?”
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My body trembled, tears streaming down my
face.
I remembered him giving me the bear, holding
me close, promising over and over.
He said the bear would be there for me when
he wasn’t, so I wouldn’t be lonely.
He said if he was gone, the bear would
always be with me.
But even it was gone.
I slapped her, tears blurring my vision. “It was
my only memory! Why did you destroy it?
Why?”
Ethan finally realized something was wrong.
He tried to comfort me, but I kicked him
away, slapping both of them.
“Are you crazy? If you want to have some kinky fun, go do it in the street, I don’t care! Why come to my home and destroy my things?”
“Why don’t you just die? How can you be so cruel?”
He ignored my struggles, holding me tight. “Calm down, Sarah. I’m here.‘
“I’m here with you. Be good, don’t be angry.”
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The familiar sandalwood scent was gone,
replaced by that sickening perfume.
The scent was different, he wasn’t the same.
Chapter 5
After I pressed her, Olivia giggled nervously. “Oh, that doll? I gave it to the homeless guy outside.”
My stomach churned.
I remembered that creepy man, the way he
leered at me.
Ethan and I searched for him.
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We found him clutching my bear, a satisfied
look on his face, a disturbing glint in his eyes.
The bear was stained with something, a
strange smell wafting from it even at a distance.
But I didn’t care, I just wanted it back, no matter what.
I reached for it, but he wouldn’t let go. As we struggled, the bear ripped open, stuffing spilling out.
A small, sparkling bottle fell out, landing on
the grass.
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I fell to the ground, staring at the torn bear,
numb.
A sharp pain stabbed at my chest. I suddenly
felt like there was no point in living.
You’re gone, and I couldn’t even protect the
bear you gave me.
Are you mad at me? Will you not want me
anymore?
I stared at the broken doll, tears falling
silently.
Ethan, who had been silent, pulled me into his
arms, whispering, “It’s okay, it’s just a doll.
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His words filled me with disgust.
