I was pacing around my room contemplating on what I should do next.

Should I apologize?

But I wasn't wrong. Maybe the disrespect was uncalled for but I refuse to take all the blame. They shouldn't have tried to force me to go to the party in the first place.

Knowing Stephen he would get an apology out of me one way or another.

I should just give in, I decided.

But my mind didn't seem to agree with me when Stephen came in my room without even knocking.

"Do you have something to tell me?" I knew Stephen was giving me a chance to apologize for the stunt I just pulled.

This is my chance. I should accept this olive branch.

But I didn't.

"No."

"I see," Stephen's face hardened.

"Resign from your job tomorrow."

"You can't force me."

"If you don't resign on your own then I will just have to fire you."

"You are not the owner." An elderly couple owned it. I made sure it wasn't one of his subsidiaries before starting work there.

"All it takes is a phone call." Stephen looked at me like he couldn't believe my naivety. "You underestimate me, sweetheart."

"You can't do that to me!" I protested, I can't lose this job.

"I can," Stephen assured, "And I will."

I knew he wasn't joking. He would really go through his threat.

"I'm sorry," I hurriedly apologized, "I shouldn't have done that. But please don't make me leave my job."

Stephen thought for a while whether or not he should cut me some slack, "What are you apologizing for?"

'For telling the truth your pathetic self couldn't handle.'

"For disrespecting you." I gave in and continued when he didn't look pleased, "For disobeying you when you told me to go to my room."

"Good." He nodded, satisfied I accepted my mistakes.

"Aylin, I need you to understand, I am not against you speaking your mind. What you said was absolutely true. I had never before intervened in the times you needed me. And believe me when I say there's not a day that goes by and I don't regret my decisions."

"But that doesn't and will not give you a free pass to disrespect your elder brothers. I hope I made myself clear."

All he cares about is respect. But had he ever taken the time to think whether or not he really deserves it?

"Yes, I understand." I stated. "Does that mean I can continue working there?"

"No." Stephen's one word broke all my hope. "I warned you the first day I would punish you if you ever cross me."

I do vaguely remember him giving me a speech about discipline.

"Can't you just give me another punishment? I really like working there." I pleaded. At my words, Stephen smirked as if he was waiting for me to say those words.

"Attend the party tomorrow evening." It didn't even take him a second to think about it. Was that what he was aiming for from the start?

Was he really going to adapt blackmailing for that?

Why were they so adamant on making me go to the party anyway?

... ... ...

27th November.

A day I hated with every fiber of my soul. When I used to live with my family, Diego would make it his personal goal to remind me I killed our mother on this day.

My birthdays in the boarding institute were even worse. No one wished me. It was the same for all the other children there so it wouldn't make me especially sad. But the fact that I'm out here suffering and Eve's celebrating would make me extremely upset.

I hated myself for feeling upset because of someone else's joy. But it still didn't stop the bitter emotions.

Altogether, this is the one day I hated the most. And now they expect me to put on a smile and cut the cake for them?

"Can I come in?" Ezra knocked on my door. Why was he here so early in the morning?

"Yeah." I groaned, still not totally awake.

"Happy birthday, buttercup."

"Thanks." I sat up in my bed, trying to arrange my disheveled hair in a poor attempt to look decent.

"Your bed hair is cute." Ezra chuckled. I knew he was lying to make me feel at easy. I very well knew it looked like a bird's nest.

"Also, I bought you a present." He passed me a nicely wrapped rectangular box.

'If it's not something good, throw it at his face, Lili.'

So he finally decided on his own what to give me? I curiously unwrapped the box only to look up at him with wide eyes.

Has he gone senile?

Inside the box was a doctor kit for kids. The box even had the instructions 'for 12 and below' written on it.

Did he take me as a five year old kid?

'Throw it, Lili.'

"Uh-thanks. Just what I had in mind for my 17th birthday." I remarked holding the plastic stethoscope in my hands. But hey, at least the injection looked close to real.

Ezra laughed at my sarcastic remark. "You followed me around for an entire month to buy you one for your eighth birthday."

Why was he bringing that up now? We both knew how that ended. They abandoned me in a faraway land claiming I was crazy and needed treatment.

"Now I know you are too old to play with this. So I bought you another present." He passed me another wrapped box I didn't notice he was carrying.

Was it a doll set this time?

He had left me speechless for the second time today. Inside was a beautiful floor length gown. It was very simple but still elegant. There were little sparkles in the waist area which just added to it's charm. I don't think I've ever seen something so pretty before.

"Do you like it?" He asked scratching the back of his neck, an action he did when nervous.

"I love it!"

"Wear it to the party?" Ezra offered and I instantly nodded. Maybe going to the party wouldn't be that bad.

... ... ...

The party was going to start in an hour. I decided to get ready. Ezra's gift had put me in a good mood. I was even excited to doll up for the party.

Overall, I think I might actually enjoy this birthday.

But all my hopes went down the drain when I tried on the dress. I hadn't realized it before but the dress was partially backless. My upper shoulders would be bare if I were to wear it.

And that's something I will never do. My entire back was littered with carvings done by knives. They had healed over the time, leaving only a trail of pink criss-crosses. The wounds of my past had healed but they had left hideous scars behind.

I considered wearing a shawl or jacket. But when I tried one on, it just ruined the whole look.

"Aylin, are you done?" Eve knocked on my door. Thank god I locked it.

"Yeah. Coming!" I hollered back.

I didn't want to go anymore.

Taking a deep breath, I rummaged through my closet and found a semi decent dress for the party. It was a royal blue knee length dress. Stephen had bought it in our shopping trip few weeks ago. It wasn't as good as the one Ezra gifted me but it will have to do.

I quickly went downstairs. We would be going to the party venue together. I hoped Ezra had left before me.

But when did anything I hope come true.

"Did the dress not fit?" Ezra asked worriedly.

"It did." I said, not looking at his face."I didn't like it anymore."

"You look beautiful in this, too." Even without looking at him, I knew he was sad. Even I felt a little bad. Ezra was the most excited about my birthday. He had put days of brainstorming to prepare the gifts. I know it appears to him I rejected his thoughtful gesture but there's nothing I can do to remedy it.

Everybody has a chapter they don't read out loud, don't they?