Glass Slippers

Prologue

Sang's Pov 12 years prior to the present time

In the hush of the early morning, I settled myself amidst the soft green grass, glistening with morning dew. But my comfort was short-lived when I remembered what I was wearing - a bright yellow day-dress adorned with a baby blue ribbon, it was my Mummy's favorite dress before she departed from this world two years ago. I was now six years old, and the dress still fit me perfectly, a testament to how small I was for my age.

Today was a momentous occasion. Daddy had returned from his long business trip and had instructed me to don something nice to greet my new family - a new mummy, brother, and sisters. I was excited at thought of having siblings, and not being so alone when daddy went away on his business trips, but I couldn't fathom the idea of replacing Mummy. Miss Lee, our in-house nurse, and maid had told me it was Daddy's way of coping with her loss though.

As I pondered this, Daddy's deep voice resonated through the air, calling me inside. I sprinted back towards our grand two-story Victorian style house, nestled against the backdrop of the lush woods. Inside, I found Daddy in the hallway near the front door, looking both dashing and weary in his grey sweater and coffee-coloured dress pants. Even though he hid it well I wondered why he looked so tired.

Before I could ask him what was wrong, we heard the unmistakable clack of hooves approaching along the cobble stone driveway. Daddy opened the door, and I stepped out onto the porch, my heart racing with curiosity. A black carriage adorned with sharp gold details pulled up, and as the door swung open, a boy about my age emerged, followed by three girls, each a different embodiment of elegance. All three girls wore a dress each one representing a primary colour and covered head to toe in ruffles, I found myself in awe of how beautiful they were.

Daddy introduced them one by one - Rocky, Jade, Danielle, and Marie. They seemed oblivious to my presence, but I didn't mind, my attention was fixated on the woman who stepped out of the car last, the woman who would become my new mother. She had a wiry, thin frame and short frizzy dirty blond hair that seemed to mirror her turbulent energy. Her thunder cloud grey eyes bore into me with an intensity that sent shivers down my spine, as if I had committed some grave offense.

" You must be Sang," she spat, venom dripping from her words.

Confused and hurt, I attempted to respond, but my voice seemed to escape me. My father, usually a staunch protector, stood silently by my side, offering to show them to their rooms. I couldn't comprehend this passive version of him - something had changed.

As my new family walked past, I felt a jolt as my new mother brushed me aside with her shoulder, a cold gesture that left me stunned. Her children followed, their disdainful glances stabbing like daggers, and I felt like a stranger in my own home. The last to leave was Marie her vibrant yellow dress a very similar shade to mine contrasted with her confused and sorrowful expression. For a second it looked like she as going to pause and talk to me but her mother's stormy voice beckoned for her from within the house.

"I'm Sorry," she whispered before running after her family, a family that was never intended for me. At the most I could just hope my father was happy.

With tears clouding my vision, I fled into the sheltering embrace of the surrounding woods, seeking solace among the ancient trees. Little did I know that those woods would become my sanctuary for the next ten years, a place where I would seek refuge from a family that never truly accepted me. The journey ahead would be filled with trials, secrets, and discoveries - a tapestry woven with the threads of destiny that would lead me to unveil the truth behind my new family and myself.