The couple stood firm, gazing down at the child swaddled in a shawl, her striking green eyes blinking up at them.
Marcus and Keira had been married for years, yearning for a child of their own. Despite their relentless efforts, Marcus had been diagnosed with infertility. Nevertheless, Keira stood unwavering by his side, promising her support no matter what challenges they faced.
In a decisive moment, they chose to adopt a baby from the orphanage, and here they were with baby Annalise.
At first glance, Keira felt an instant bond. "You're so beautiful, Anna," she said, her voice warm. "We're going to take care of you. We're your parents now." She spoke, lifting the baby into her arms.
"Right, Marcus?" she pressed, looking to him for affirmation.
"Absolutely," he replied. "Annalise is our daughter, and we will provide her with everything she ever wants in this life." Keira's heart swelled at his words.
"You heard that, Annalise? Everything you wish for, my dear Anna," Keira declared, kissing the child's forehead with affection.
•
•
•
Marcus now cast a hard glare at the same Annalise, who was now eighteen. The girl he had once embraced with love had grown into a burden in his eyes. He had been kind, but that kindness had only enabled her selfishness. Annalise, in his view, was spoiled, demanding, and lacked substance. Her dependence on him had become suffocating, and the more he reflected, the more he realized he could no longer tolerate her presence.
"We made a mistake adopting her, Keira," he asserted, his voice steady. "She's nothing but a cursed child, the cause of our troubles. I fear she's trying to pull you away from me."
As tears streamed down Annalise's face, she could no longer mask her hurt. It was devastating to witness her father's animosity. And with the revelation of her being an orphan—a fact that had shattered her reality—she felt utterly broken.
"Stop spreading these lies about Annalise," Keira interjected, holding her daughter closer. "She's our only child. Marcus, you're going too far."
Marcus clenched his jaw, a resolute expression on his face. "I know you'll twist this situation in your favor," he accused Annalise.
"Witch" His disdain shone through his eyes.
Turning away, he attempted to soothe his anger while watching Keira comfort the girl before they retreated to the room. The rage was building within him; he couldn't sustain this living arrangement any longer. He had to rid himself of the burden that Annalise represented.
In the room, Annalise curled up on the bed, her arms wrapped tightly around her knees as she stared off into space, while Keira gently stroked her hair. Soon, sobs began to shake her small frame.
All of the words he said to her pierced through her heart like a thousand knives.
"Don't dwell on this, Anna. Your father was angry and spoke harshly. Everything will be alright," Keira reassured her, her voice firm but tender.
Annalise turned to look at her, "I'm not your daughter, am I?" Annalise asked, a fragile note in her voice.
Keira shook her head firmly. "Why would you think that?" She gently wiped away Annalise's tears, lifting the girl's chin to meet her gaze.
"You are my daughter, always. It doesn't matter that we're not connected by blood; my love for you is unwavering. I will protect you, no matter what." She moved closer to press a kiss on Annalise's forehead.
Annalise swallowed hard. The reality of being an orphan hit her with full force; it felt like a cruel twist of fate.
She had often flaunted her privileged life, teasing her classmates who lacked a family, only to now find herself among them. Facing the potential fallout at school—especially after the news of her family's bankruptcy—was agonizing. The transformation from someone perceived as valuable to a nobody was overwhelming.
She couldn't bear the weight of it all any longer; her chest felt heavy with grief, and tears flowed freely. Though Keira tried to console her, it was futile.
Keira eventually stepped out, crossing paths with Marcus, who remained lost in thought. Anger simmered within her as she took in his demeanor, frustrated that he had stirred up this turmoil. He made Annalise hurt and cry, and she was annoyed with him.
She moved to fill a bowl with steaming porridge from the pot and placed it on a tray, ready to serve Anna, determined to calm her down.
As she approached Annalise again, the girl remained crying, her head buried in her arms.
"Anna, I made sweet porridge; you don't have to eat rice tonight," Keira called out warmly.
Annalise didn't respond. "Anna, please stop crying. It pains me to see you like this," Keira continued, her own eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Everything will be okay. Just eat and rest. Tomorrow will be better." She reached out, trying to soothe Annalise with a gentle touch.
"Don't, Mom. I'm fine," Annalise snapped, pushing Keira's hand away.
What she didn't expect was for Keira's voice to rise sharply in response. Annalise looked up, her eyes widening in shock as she noticed Keira's hand, already burned from the porridge.
"Mom... I'm sorry, I didn't mean it," she exclaimed, frantically searching for something to help.
Marcus rushed into the room after hearing his wife's scream. "Keira," he said, moving quickly to help her, wiping the hot food from her hands where the burns had appeared. Keira now cried out in pain.
"What just happened?" he demanded, but Keira shook her head, trying to assure him that she was alright.
Annalise opened her mouth to explain. "I... I didn't know she was holding a bowl of steaming porridge. It was an accident."
Marcus turned to her, anger blazing in his eyes. "An accident? Now you've hurt your mother both emotionally and physically. I always knew you were trouble!" he yelled, making Annalise flinch.
"Come here!" he suddenly pulled her arm, dragging her away from the room. "You need to leave tonight. I don't ever want to see you again!" he declared, his grip fierce.
"Hurting my wife is the last thing you'll ever do" He muttered, gripping harder on her arm.
"Mom, please, it was an accident... Dad, please... I promise I'll never hurt her!" Annalise cried, desperation creeping into her voice.
"Marcus, stop!" Keira shouted, but her husband was beyond reason.
He marched Annalise to the door, threw it open, and pushed her outside. She stumbled but quickly regained her balance and turned back toward the door, tears streaming down her face. "I swear it was an accident! I'll never hurt Mom. Just believe me..."
Marcus's voice was cold and final. "I've had enough of your nonsense. You've done enough harm to this family. Go and don't come back!" He slammed the door shut.
"Marcus, let Anna in! What are you doing?" Keira's voice rang out, filled with urgency as she confronted her husband.
"That child is evil. She has to leave!" Marcus shot back. "Look what she did to you!"
"It was an accident!" Keira fired back, standing her ground.
"Yes, I know you'll find excuses for her, but I'm done. She's out, for good!" he bellowed.
Annalise listened helplessly to the argument inside, tears flowing as she stood outside in the cold. She continued pleading for Marcus to let her back in, but he ignored her, shutting her out completely while Keira called for him to reconsider.
The night air nipped at her skin. Annalise knew she would have to find a place to spend the night. She would come back tomorrow and beg Marcus again.
But she couldn't have been more mistaken. Marcus already made his decision, she would never return to them.