REBIRTH OF THE HEART: Her Second Marriage

# ★★★ CASSANDRA'S POV ★★★

I was dragged to the basement of my in-law's house, where they tied me to a chair. Rachel, my mother-in-law, approached me with a cruel smile, holding a sharp pair of scissors. She began to cut my hair, slowly and deliberately, taking pleasure in my suffering. I tried to remain strong, but it was difficult to bear the pain and humiliation. Rachel laughed cruelly as she continued to torture me, and I could only endure in silence.

When she finally finished, I was left with a ragged and uneven hairstyle. But the torture didn't stop there. Rachel began to slap and punch me, laughing as I cried out in pain. The beating seemed to go on forever until finally, she grew bored and left the room. Alone in the dark, with only my thoughts and the throbbing pain of my wounds, I wondered how much longer I could endure this treatment.

I married my husband Alexander Cross three years ago, but his family never valued or liked me. They have always disrespected me, treating me like a maid in my own husband's house. Yet, I endured everything and always tried to smile. But everything changed drastically eight months ago when Lily came back into Alexander's life.

Lily Lopez and Alexander grew up together in Florida, but Alexander's parents moved to America for a better life. Now Lily had come back from Florida to claim Alexander as her lover. She used every chance she got to mistreat and abuse me both physically and emotionally. To avoid stirring trouble between the two best friends, I endured everything.

Seven months ago, Lily and I went shopping but were met with a terrible accident. Lily ended up in the hospital and lost her womb. Rachel used this as an opportunity to torture and abuse me, as she had always disliked me. She began by locking me in the basement, cutting my hair, and then physically abusing me. I was trapped in a nightmare and had no idea how to escape.

I wept bitterly, remembering the ugly incidents I had gone through at the hands of the monsters I called a family. I was still whining in pain when Rachel burst into the basement, carrying a wig, makeup, and some clothes.

"Put this on now!" she roared, her voice echoing through the entire basement. When I had finished, Rachel roughly dressed me in the clothes, not caring if they were too tight or uncomfortable. She dragged me out of the basement and into the car, speeding to the hospital for blood donation. On the way, Rachel spoke to me in a harsh, commanding tone.

"You will do exactly as I say, or else there will be consequences," Rachel said, her eyes flashing with anger.

"Do you understand?"

"Yes," I whispered, afraid to say anything else. I knew that Rachel was capable of anything, and I didn't want to risk provoking her.

When we arrived at the hospital, Rachel led me into the blood donation room. She roughly pushed me into a chair, and a nurse came over to take my blood. The whole time, Rachel stood over me, watching every move I made. I needed no one to tell me that the blood was for her precious daughter-in-law Lily. Why can't they love me the same way I love them? Why do they see me as trash? Was it because of my parents' death? A lot of thoughts flashed through my memory.

"All done, ma'am," the nurse voiced out, indicating she had taken enough.

I nodded while Rachel flashed her a devilish glare.