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"Dad,she stinks!Can we make her get out and find her own way to our house?"
"Luna,bear it.If we ditch her and she runs home,what then?I've told you,always think about the bigger picture!"
Luna fell silent,occasionally jabbing me with her foot.
Her high heels bruised me—I could imagine the purple marks forming under my pants.
After twelve grueling hours,we reached their mansion.I felt no envy.
It was a palace of hell,devouring souls.
Inside,Dad casually ordered staff to get the storage room ready for me to sleep in.
Turning to me:"The gala's in only two days.Wear what you have on you now.Follow Luna,don't look around,don't speak."
I nodded,silent.
At dinner,as I reached for my fork and knife,Luna knocked them away.
"You think you're fit to eat with us?That's your food there!"
I followed her pointing finger—a bowl of watery porridge on top of a dog cage.
The dog inside however feasted meat of the top quality.
My meal was worse than the dog's—this was blatant humiliation.
Dad,scrolling his phone,said nothing.This was a silent go-ahead for Luna's act.
I took the porridge to the storage room and ate.
She humiliated me,but starving myself to maintain my pride hurt only me.
I pitied Luna,assuming Dad's abuse had broken her mind.
Barely full,I prepared to sleep when a rustling sound came.
Turning on the light,I saw insects crawling in from under the door.The sheer number of them nearly made me throw up.
I'd expected a sleepless night,but not Luna's quick cruelty.
I sighed,wrapping myself tightly in a blanket,curling into a corner on the bed.
Half-asleep,I heard a scream and the sound of whip.
"Dad!I'm sorry!Don't hit me!I won't do it again!"
"Until you earn that lead designer’s certificate,you'll be whipped every day!"
...
I smiled bitterly.This was Luna's life now,as mine once was.
I endured more two days of meager meals until the gala.
Dad wore a tailored suit,Luna a couture gown.
I wore my burlap clothes and straw shoes,trailing them,feeling out of place.
At the venue,security stopped me.
"No unauthorized entry."
Dad glanced back:"She's with us."
Inside,eyes turned to me,the sight of what I was wearing triggered whispers.
Expected,but amusing nevertheless—a rustic figure in a glittering hall.
"Quiet,please!"
Dad took the stage,microphone in hand.
He paused,voice hoarse,eyes teary.
"Ladies and gentlemen,my speech may seem sudden.Many wonder about the girl with me."
His words had me under the spotlight, like an animal in a zoo.
"I've dedicated myself to charity all my life.This girl is a rural child I've sponsored.My support gave her education,food."
"She had traveled a long way to find me and thank me,to call me Dad!"
"Today,I invite you to join my charity foundation,to build a better world together!"
