Aurora’s POV.

“Who is that?”

My heart pounded in my chest as I hesitated to open the door, knowing who it could be. The knock came again. I rose from my seat, my legs shaking as I made my way to the door. I took a deep breath before opening it, mentally preparing myself for the confrontation and probably insults that was to come.

Lyra, my sister and bully, stood in the doorway, her eyes blazing with rage. Her gaze made me feel small and insignificant, and I felt my blood run cold and a shiver run down my spine.

"Well, well, well," she sneered, her voice dripping with malice. "Look what we have here. The little abandoned pup, all alone and vulnerable."

I tried to maintain my composure , but Lyra's words were too harsh . She shoved me aside, and forced her way into the room.

"You know, Aurora, I've been thinking," she said, her voice filled with hate . "Mother's death was no accident. You killed her, with your weakness and your constant need for attention. You little attention seeker! A classic notice me.”

Tears welled up in my eyes as Lyra's words hit me like a slap on the face . I knew something like this would happen, and now… I had to defend myself .

"You're a curse, Aurora," Lyra hissed at me , her eyes filled with anger hatred. "A curse to our family and our pack. You should have been left in the woods where you were found. I wish mother did not save you on that day! You should have died. I hate you.”

I felt a lump form in my throat as I tried to speak, but my words were stuck in my throat and when I finally forced them out…my voice was barely above a whisper . "Lyra, please...that's not fair..."

Lyra's laughter was a dry, mirthless sound. "Fair? You want to talk about fair? You've always been cuddled, babies and protected, while I have had to work hard to prove myself. And now, you're the reason our mother is gone. You are the reason I lost my mother!”

“P-please stop.” I said, admist sobs.

Finally, she turned and left, leaving me shattered and alone in the room, I crashed onto my bed, my heart heavy filled grief and pain. The weight of Lyra's words crushed me, and I wondered if I would ever be able to live a normal life now that my only protector is gone.

Lyra's departure did nothing to reduce the anguish that consumed me. Her words continued to ring in my mind, each one added to my pain. I felt like I was the cause of my mother’s death. Like a burden.

As I lay there, tears rushed down my face, I could not help but think of Aria's final words: "Never give up, Aurora. Never lose sight of your dreams." But Lyra's venomous words had killed the hope that Aria had put in me.

I felt like I was losing hope at life , breaking into a thousand pieces. The pain was so much and vivid that I could barely breathe. I was trapped in a cruel world, with my protector gone.leaving me with my biggest enemy.

As I lay there, drowning in my misery and self pity , I knew I had to do something to take my mind off Lyra's cruel words.

I needed a distraction, something to help me escape the pain that gradually consumed me, I had to find a way out…at least I can start from knowing who my parents were.

That's when I remembered Aria's belongings, still packed away in a small box, safely tucked where I kept my small collection of clothes.

I rose from my bed, my legs shaking as I made my way to the box. I opened the box , revealing the few possessions Aria had left behind, she valued them and I promise to keep them safe. I carefully went through the contents, hoping to find something - anything - that might give me an idea about who my parents were , about my past.

As I searched, I saw an old envelope, beaten by the weather and time . I opened it, in it, there was a collection of stained papers and a blurry photograph. My heart skipped a beat as I recognized the faces in the picture - Aria, a tiny baby that looked like Lyra … and a man I had never seen before.

Was this the man who helped her raise me? If yes , then he must surely know who my parents are.

I held the photograph up to the candlelight, my eyes tried to recognize the face . But the image was blurry, the face was hard to see . I felt a wave of disappointment wash over me , my hopes shattered.

“Maybe he is aria’s husband and lyras father.” The voice in my head comforted me.

I returned the picture and papers to the box , feeling frustrated and desperate. Would I ever know the truth about my past? Or would I be forever trapped in this dark? Would I ever know the truth? Would I be here for long?

The candlelight eventually gave up and died.

The darkness reminded me of my life, I was all alone… in the dark.

With no shield and no help.

I laid down on the bed, my eyes stinging with tears as I desperately fought to hold the tears back.

But I failed, and the tears came rushing down my cheeks. I couldn't shake the feeling of hopelessness that had settled over me. Lyra's words had cut deep, and I felt like I was all alone in the world. I thought about Aria's final words, about never giving up, but it was hard to hold onto hope when everything seemed so dark.

It felt like I was drowning in my own tears, suffocating under the weight of my own grief. I couldn't see a way out, couldn't imagine a future without Aria by my side. Lyra's hatred and resentment towards me seemed to be suffocating me, crushing me beneath its heel. I felt like I was losing myself, like I was disappearing into the darkness.

Just as I was about to bawl my eyes out, Lyra forced her way into the dark room again.

“Are you crying? Oh what? Crying over spoilt milk will not help you. Stand up and find a way to pay the electricity bill, I am tired of living this life… we have to live like normal people, we spent all our money paying for Mum’s treatment, now we have to pick up the pieces and start…afresh…and by that I mean without you.” Lyra hissed at me.

“What?”