Jonathan called from time to time, but Karen always answered. She told him everything was fine and found excuses to keep the children from speaking with him. Over time, the distance grew.
Months turned into years.
Under Karen’s rule, the house became cold and silent. A rule appeared in the kitchen: no food until the work is done.
Emily’s days started with cold water and ended with a small portion of food—only if she worked perfectly. Her main task was washing Karen’s delicate dresses, heavy fabrics that left her hands cracked and bleeding.
If she made a mistake, she didn’t eat.
Lucas, often weak and sick, waited for her quietly.
“Em… are you done?” he would ask softly.
“Almost,” she’d reply, working faster so he wouldn’t go hungry.
Their meals grew smaller—dry bread, plain rice, thin soup—while Karen spent freely on luxury items.
Emily began saving crumbs for Lucas. When Karen found out, she punished her with even more work.
Winter made it worse. The freezing water burned her injured hands, but she kept going—not because she was strong, but because she was afraid.
Years passed.