Mariana woke up very Early that Day, She did all the chores as always. She was so excited for her GRADUATION.

Alexis one of her step sister woke up and walks straight to the living room..

"Good morning Alexis, greeted Mariana with a happy face. Alexis rolled her eyes before she replied.

"oh please Riana, Why are you even excited! is it because you're graduating from high school and I couldn't..?

"No sis don't talk like that I didn't say that am just happy that,..

" Shhhh..! interrupted Alexis. Don't forget you were just adopted and everybody knows that! Alexis stood up then walked out on Mariana. That didn't stop Mariana from being excited. It wasn't the first time hearing such words from her step sisters as they told her many hurtful things since childhood.

Mariana got ready for her graduation, despite the clothes she wore, she still looked so beautiful, her big brown eyes matched her skin and her curly dark hair made her look even more prettier.

she was loved in the whole village and this made her step mom and her three step sisters very Jealous of her, and for that reason they mistreated her.

she made it on time at school and everyone was with their parents to support them except Mariana.

it was finally time to give out certificates. Mariana was one of the students with high scores but unfortunately she was all alone with no one to support her. That made people start talking about her.

"Why is she dressed like that?" asked one of the parents.

" doesn't she have parents or anyone? replied another".

Mariana gave no attention to whatever they were murmuring about. She gave the best smile and was very cheerful. Mariana knew her certificate meant nothing to her family and her being the youngest and adopted in the family, sure no one cared.

After her graduation, she went straight home sad knowing exactly what's waiting for her. she also knew that, she would never go to college. Her family was a well to do family in the whole province, her father was one of the leaders in the village who got paid more yet she got nothing since his Death. Her step mom had to send her to school in fear of what people might say if she didn't send Mariana to school. That was the least she could do for her adopted daughter.

None of her sisters wanted to be in school as they saw school to be hard and time consuming. They knew they would inherit their father's properties so they didn't care..

The moment she walked into the

Cottage, They started talking.

" Here comes our high school graduate," Anna Mocked followed by a loud laugh from all three.

"mother, Mariana spoke, but went Quiet again, she lowered her eyes to the ground.

"Thank God you are here so much work is waiting for you, Jane reminded.

"ok, replied Mariana.

I will take my things inside first.

"No way! drop everything there start cooking we are starving here. Asher murbled.

"ok, Mariana left them, she went straight to the kitchen as ordered.

"be quick or we will eat your certificate", Anna threw another mockery Statement.