Life in the Anderson Villa had been anything but kind to Emma. Her father had decided long ago to limit her education to the bare essentials. When college came around, the plan was to claim she had health issues that kept her from continuing her studies, confining her to the house indefinitely.
Emma found out about this scheme by accident in high school, overhearing her father's conversation with that woman.
Growing up, her body type made her a prime target for bullies. Teachers turned a blind eye to her suffering, pretending not to notice the cruel taunts. Graduation was her only escape route, but even that was marred by a lackluster performance on her final exams.
When college applications rolled around, that woman was over the moon with delight, mocking her at every turn.
Emma could
