THEM FROM HITTING
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On top of the city, in a penthouse apartment, everything always looked perfect. Always polished. Always clean. Always happy. Private schools taught her how to dress and behave, how to speak clearly, sit straight, and never ask for more than what was offered. Gratitude was expected. Silence was required.
It was always just her and her mother. Of course she wondered about her father—everyone else had one. Where was hers? “He wasn’t meant to be in our lives.” “It’s complicated.” Those were the replies she got.
She was eight years old when her mother finally told her the truth. She even got a name. A name identical to a highly respected politician—a family man, a public moral compass, endlessly speaking about values. Her mother had been the mistress. She was the result.
Denying the money he offered to get an abortion. Instead, he bought her silence. In return, he paid for a better life — for his daughter, even if he would never claim her. The money always arriving on time, tuition paid in advance. Summer programs booked before she could even ask.
A future financially secured by someone who never appeared in it.
She would watch him on TV, comparing their similarities, watching pictures of her half siblings, wondering why they had the life she did not deserve. She was just given a name. Officially, she didn’t exist.
The bullying started small. An article about her mother’s former life resurfaced, passed around by someone at school. Whispers spread quickly. Hush money. Mistress. She didn’t need to hear the words to know them. Being an outcast — she did not belong. The only reason she was there was because she was a secret. Not having many friends, always made fun of, guys flirting with her as a joke. Her first kiss being a dare.
The day she turned 18, the money started being transferred to her own bank account.
Showing up at events, galas, fundraisers. She’s no one, but her access to money made her interesting. The upper class welcomed her presence without ever asking questions. She knows everyone; she judges everyone. Always a bored look on her face, always a glass in her hand.
She drinks too much, smokes when she shouldn’t, wears inappropriate clothes. The men she sleeps with should know better. Most of them are married — there really is some irony to that fact. Never letting them stay the night. They will never choose her.
Deeply lonely, always observing other people. Who lies, who is likable? A wallflower, judging, drinking in her own manners. Often pointing out other mistakes, not caring about the consequences. Brutally honest, often speaking before she thinks.
Joking with things she shouldn’t, spoiling people's secrets. She’s a snake — dangerous, magnetic and untouchable. Elegant, always wearing couture, high heels and a smile. Most people get fooled.
No one really knows much about her, she’s a mystery as much as she is the secret that was never allowed to see daylight.
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