---- Chapter 7 I didn't respond in a hurry, instead calling my mother first-perhaps even I never noticed that I was still holding out hope for her. However, she was immediately snapping at me, " Have you gone mad?! Why did you tell Sean you were kidnapped?! Let's see how you'd marry him when he knows how those scum defiled you!" I freed my clenched knuckle right then. "Whoever said I was defiled?" "You still have the cheek to mention that?" She bellowed at me. "You refused to head straight home on your wedding night, and let some men kidnap you! If word gets out, people would-" "Stop it, Mom!" Helen suddenly snapped over the phone. She was panting-she seemed to have run there. "You call yourself a mother? What did Anna do to you, that you have to hurt-"" ---- "Helen," I called her name gently. There was a brief silence, and Helen's voice was tearful, "I'm sorry, Anna..." Iremembered then. I was eight when Helen was born. She was a saving grace for my mom, finally allowing her to hold her head high with her in-laws. She was in such a good mood that she smiled a few times at me, but seemed to come to her senses when she watched me get too close to Helen's stroller. Her eyes widening in alarm, she pushed me away immediately while breathing the vilest cursest, utterly terrified that I would hurt her precious daughter. But though she would be wary of me in her every waking moment-keeping me at arm's length like a stranger ever since, she didn't expect Helen to warm up to meas she grew up. Nonetheless, I said just then, "Helen, I have ---- something to tell you." Helen was crying after I told her I would travel abroad for my new job. I didn't get it-did twenty-year olds cry so easily? But when I picked up some tissues to wipe her tears, she was giggling as she said, "That's so wonderful! You can finally live your own life now!" Love was a luxury. I knew that since I was a child, and I spent almost thirty years of my life looking for it. However, my father abandoned me, my mother did not love me, and Sean despised me. In the end, it was Helen-my stepsister-who would take my side forever. Suddenly, I understood. I was the one who had made this cage for myself- Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!