Not A Small-Town Girl

----

Emily was furious when she heard Ruby’s words.

“How dare you speak about my daughter in such a

disrespectful way? It’s no surprise your father isn’t fond of you.

And let me be clear, he’s involved in this decision too. If we

don’t see any progress within three days, you can say

goodbye to ever seeing your mother again,” Emily threatened.

With that, she hung up the phone directly, without giving Ruby

a chance to speak.

----

After ending the call, Ruby gripped

her phone, hon back tears. Her

mother’s sexious illness when Ruby

was thirteen had kept them apart

ever since: The following year, SS

Robertbrought Emily and Siena

home Sienna was the samecage as

OBY, only a month younger The

realization that her father-had been

unfaithful and had a daughter of her

age was devastating.

----

After Emily’s arrival, she subjected

her to systematic mistreatment,

often depriyit her of food or

locking henin a small, dark room, &

while taining a fagade of

kindness in front of Robert. The

“e €ption, aided by complicit.

ants, led Robert to beliéve his

capdaughter was simplybeing

difficult, causing him to dismiss her

claims of abuse.

----

She seethed with hatred for Emily and Sienna, but her rage

towards Robert, the man who had imprisoned her mother,

bumed even hotter.

After her grandparents died that

year, they left?her mother a sizablenoveldrama

inheritange\Robert claimed the —

companythiad cash flow issues and

took thesmoney. Although her >’

mothe? wasn’t sick, she quickly

became bedridden and heréondition

worsened each day. Robert refused

to let her visit her mother

----

The suddenness of her mother’s illness struck Ruby, making

her suspect Robert’s involvement. She vowed to get justice.

She suppressed her emotions, her mind racing with thoughts

of where her mother might be held captive and how to free her

from Emily’s clutches.