Chapter three - The lies and deceits
It was getting dark from the gravel stone I sat on, staring as the sun went down. There's something about the colors that draws me in; their radiance brings comfort to me. They were so vibrant and pure, and I was always dumbstruck at the view. I somehow always find my way back to this place. The view from the hill meant I could see the whole setting. There was a large break in the trees with plentiful grass and flowers beneath and along it. It was the kind of hill you'd find kids rolling down, laughing, and playing as their parents set up a picnic in the daisies. Only I knew about this place because my parents used to take me here every Saturday evening. We'd spend quality time together setting up a picnic, singing, and laughing through the night. It was amazing, and I smile at the memory. Now, I come here alone every Saturday to sit and watch the sunset. Just because they were no more doesn't mean I would stop coming here. Mom passed away when I was 12. She was a nurse and was on her way home one evening when her car was crushed by a drunk truck driver. It shattered Dad knowing she was gone and he wouldn't see her anymore. He confided in alcohol as his comfort, hoping it would take away the pain he was feeling. I cried every night for my mom and wouldn't eat or sleep. It began to affect my studies. I couldn't concentrate in school because of the fear of losing Dad too. He noticed these things and knew he needed to stay strong for me.
A year later, Dad met Nicole with her twins and got married to her in the next three months. She claimed her husband died in a plane crash when she was pregnant with the children. I didn't like her because I noticed she acted all fake and strange. When she was combing my hair, one evening she dragged on it a bit too hard, and I cried out in pain. She started apologizing, saying that she didn't mean to, and patted my head. I became suspicious of her, and I told Dad about it. He confronted her immediately, and how she responded surprised me.
She gasped and extended her hand to her chest, seemingly unable to believe what she was hearing.
"Oh darling, I can't believe Camila is making such accusations against me; I would never do so. She's like my daughter. Camila, why would you do that to me? I love you like my own."
I didn't realize tears were beginning to spill from my eyes, as I was too shocked to comprehend what was happening at my sight. Dad turned to me and scolded me for lying against my stepmother. That night, I ran up to my room in tears, unable to believe what I was hearing. I didn't understand why she tried to turn Dad against me then, but as I grew up, I realized that she just had a massive hatred for me because she would do things to spite and hurt me.
One day, I got home from school to find Pretty, my big teddy bear with a Hello Kitty written on the front, torn and spoilt with the head cut off. It was my favorite doll that Mom bought for me on my 10th birthday as a gift. I was so angry that I screamed. I remember crying that evening as she laughed at me, her two daughters laughing along with her. I couldn't wait for Dad to get home from work that night, and when he did, I ran crying to him that night but met Nicole already standing next to him. I swallowed heavily as she smirked down at me. I explained what happened to Dad, hoping he would believe me this time, but Nicole started shouting that I was becoming too much of a liar. She told him that she saw me tearing the teddy bear myself. She even called on her two daughters. They also claimed that they saw me do it myself. Dad was furious that night and said that I was already becoming a brat for trying several times to set my stepmother up. I was locked up in my room for three days and instructed not to come out until I was told so. He said I was beginning to lose it all because of Mom's death and that I couldn't stand to see him marry another woman.
Ever since then, I stopped talking to anyone and withdrew into myself; I would cry to myself at night whenever something bad was done to me.
At a time when I was 15, he sneaked into my room that night, trying to talk to me. I didn't respond and just pretended to sleep.
"Camila, you know I want the best for you, but you're making it hard for me." I heard him say quietly as he sat on my bed, but thankfully I was facing the wall of my bed.