Vincenzo's Obsession

because you have all you need, that does not mean you are really happy. I

ies that money could buy, a heavy weight settled on my heart. The grandeu

handeliers couldn't mask the pai

't mean that my life was filled with joy and contentment. Behind closed doors,

a facade, a charade carefull

lace, both physically and emotionally. The people I called my

controlled and manipulated at their whims. They saw m

and invisible. Each slap, each blow, and each degrad

ises on my soul. I yearned for freedom, for a life

lina asked, her voice cutting through t

further. "Aunt, can you please leave me alone?" I scowled, desper

lina insisted, her eyes fixated

ou times without number, Aunt, anytime we are alone in this prison," I

in front of Uncle's associates, will I call you Dad or Mom. Other than that, don't expect anything from

across the room, his sudden intrusion only a

ed eyes. "What?" I shot back, my defiance brimming, f

mother," Uncle Pietro growled,

nger and pain. "A mother is someone who cares for her child, who protects and loves uncondition

th of my accusations impossible to deny. I saw a flicker of guilt flash acr

is control slipping. "You will learn your p

ced with defiance as I glared at Uncle Pietro.

traight at my heart. "You will, or you won't get to s

umbled in an instant, the weight of his words crushing my spirit. The mere mention of my

e him again. Erik was the sole light in my dark exist

x years old. Now, Erik stood at the threshold of adolescence, t

since we felt the warmth of sibling love, and

ea of his innocence being tainted, his spirit broken by the cruelty of our Aunt and Uncle

tain my composure. "Fine, Mom, fine, Dad. Happy?" I forced the word

nt in her eyes. "Yes, as long as you do what we want fro

hint of impatience. "Are you preparing for the

on. "I am not going. Can't I even do that much?" I plead

ook. "Fine, I will cook up an excuse as to why you couldn't

fathom that this woman, my Aunt Alina, was my mother's twin. They shared the same physic

the stark contrast in our souls. Th

ad a genuine love for helping others, a trait she passed do

ers, to extend a helping hand when someone was in need. T

e a stark deviation from those principles. They were consumed by their own sel

arkness, their actions driven

be so utterly devoid of goodness. It was as if their souls were twisted and

daughter, Raisa. They lavished her with attention and favouritis

, was the apple of their eyes. It sickened me to wit

n so cold, how they had strayed so far from

and their inner darkness was a constant reminder o

ithin me. The flames of anger mingled with the pain of betrayal.

ove and kindness they showered upon me, and use it a

d off to my room. As I entered, my anger reached its peak when I saw Raisa, the repugnant, fat-faced gi

re, Raisa?" I spat; my

ing it loudly with every chew. "Hey, cousin," she

uldn't stand the sight of her, the embodiment of everyth

uritism, the neglect and torment they subjected me

get out of here," I seethe

y discomfort. "Anya..." she began, he

e fuck do you want, Raisa?" I exploded; my words punct

h brought her perverse pleasure. I resisted the urge to lash ou

aying on her lips. She knew exactly what was wrong. Her parents had once again use

seemed to be in the loop, aware

were nothing but a facade. She knew the extent of my resentment towards her parents and t

t for you. They wouldn't do anything to hurt you,"

less lecture. "Spare me the boring lecture and get out of my

Instead, she proposed a girls' night, seemingly oblivious to my desire

wanted was to spend more time with her, indulging in meaningless dist

in her nonchalant demeanour. "You need to stop living a boring

n't bear her condescension any longer. "That is enough," I warned

ed, making her way toward the door. "Fine,"

my frustrations pressing down on me. I took a moment to steady my racing thoughts, reminding mys