The Ghost King's Bride

Chapter 1

As Layla looked out the window, for some reason, she couldn't pull her eyes away. The autumn, more than any other season, evoked a strong feeling of nostalgia in her, it might be the changed weather, the leaves that changed from green to an incredible display of vibrant colors, reminded her of happy memories that were made in the fall season throughout her life, the same memories that made her feel good and excited for what the future season holds before it's even officially begun.

"What are you daydreaming about, b***h? Are you done cleaning? It's almost the opening time.", yelled her stepmother and the trance, that Layla was in broke.

"Nothing. I am almost done.", she replied hastily, unwilling to face her stepmother's wrath. It didn't take her long to get lost in her thoughts again.

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FLASHBACK

As a child, Layla had loving parents and a very happy childhood. She was the apple of their eye.

It was her 8th birthday and the fateful day, everything changed for her and her family. While returning home, after shopping for her birthday dress for the evening, they had a tragic accident. That was all she could remember, before she lost her consciousness to the darkness.

When she woke up, she came to know, her mom took her last breath on the spot. Her father had his legs crushed, so there was a possibility he could not walk for life, even if he survived. Yes, he still had a faint heartbeat, but the risks were just too high for the doctors to make a clear statement right now. He was admitted in the ICU and they were constantly monitoring him closely.

But, admist of everything, she survived unscathed. Not a single cut or scratch, which marvelled the doctors as well. She wasn't sure what it was, a boon or a curse.

A couple of months later, her father remarried Stephanie to take care of her, her now stepmother. Stephanie had a 5 year old daughter named Denise.

At first, she was not happy with her father's second marriage, but he insisted that he needed someone to take care of her and the family business. When Layla met Stephanie, she was convinced that her life would change for the better. Her father would also get a second chance at happiness.

As her dad could not walk anymore due to his crushed legs, Stephanie took over the family cafe business soon after marriage.

However, within months, Stephanie's whole demeanor changed. She started abusing Layla, both physically and verbally.

Even, Denise, who was younger, would not let go of any opportunity to belittle and abuse Layla.

END OF FLASHBACK.

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A cold breeze hit her, the coldness in the air now reminded her of the sadness in the air, bringing her back to reality.

This was the reality of life that she was living now. It was 12 years of constant abuse by her stepmother and step sister, some ocassional beatings, yet she still had hope, one day she will manage to earn her own freedom, the hope and courage that she inherited from her birth mother.