The act of kindness

 Two Days Later...

Her father got married again.

The woman had two children — older than Yomein.

Yomein and her father stood by the door of their home, waiting to welcome them.

Yomein stood with a small teddy bear in her hands.

She saw that this woman would now be her stepmother, and the kids… her new siblings.

Her father said,

 “Yomein, dear… say hello to your brother and sister. Is this what I’ve taught you?

Yomein said nervously,

 “Hi aunty, how are you…?

He scolded her—

“She’s your mother now.”

Her stepmother, Lucy, replied,

“It’s alright, Yomein, dear.”

Next to her stood her stepbrother and stepsister.

The girl, Alina, said with an attitude—

“Hi, Yomein.”

Yomein was so nervous, she didn’t know what to say.

Just as she tried to respond, Alina said,

“Mom, I want that teddy.”

Yomein refused to give it, but her father snatched it from her hands and gave it to Alina.

Yomein ran away, crying.

At first, everything seemed fine.

Her stepmother treated her nicely — just like her own children.

But it was all an act.

She never truly liked Yomein —

She only pretended to gain her husband’s trust.

Alina and Amon always harassed her.

They would blame her for things they had done wrong.

Yomein’s grandparents lived in another house.

Her grandmother never liked Lucy, so she never visited.

Yomein used to go visit her grandmother.

Her grandfather was very ill, and he felt happy when she came.

Her grandmother was sick too, so Yomein helped her with chores.

But Lucy hated it when Yomein went to visit them.

She started making her work more in the house to keep her away.

Sometimes, she even hit Yomein when she didn’t do things right.

Days passed... and the torture got worse.

At school, Alina and Amon would bully her, along with their friends.

At home, she wasn’t given proper food.

She didn’t even have a proper room —

She lived in a storage room where there was barely any light.

Her father took Amon and Alina to school in the car.

But Yomein always walked — even if she was running late.

Her father never cared.

It had been four years since her mother died.

But nothing had gotten better for Yomein.

Her father didn’t want to see her face.

And Lucy wouldn’t let her leave the house.

He hated her deeply.

She wasn’t happy.

She was just surviving... slowly fading away.

And then, one day… her grandfather passed away.

After the funeral, Yomein’s grandmother took her in.

She lived alone, and she couldn’t watch Yomein suffer anymore.

Yomein started living with her...

And for the first time in years —

She felt a little happy.

Her grandmother reminded her of her mother.

They were happy together.

But Lucy still didn’t leave her alone.

She would send people to beg for money, insult her in front of others.

Still… days flew by like the wind.

Nothing was perfect —

But Yomein and her grandmother were happy, together.

Now, Yomein was 18 years old.

She had completed her schooling.

She had a job, and they didn’t have much money — not even for college.

They barely had enough food to eat.

Her father never gave her a single coin.

He wanted her dead.

He didn’t care if she was alive… or what condition she lived in.

He didn’t even care about his own mother — Yomein’s grandmother.

...TO BE CONTINUED...

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