From Grass to Grace - Chapter 4
16-09-25 (13:20)
**Episode 4: The Missing Sparkle**
The Hawthorne mansion was abuzz
with activity. Mrs. Eleanor was
hosting a grand party, a charity ball
for the city's elite. Preparations
were underway: caterers scurried
about, arranging elaborate displays
of food; florists transformed the
ballroom into a fragrant garden;
and musicians tuned their
instruments, preparing to serenade
the guests with elegant melodies.
Mrs. Eleanor, in her element,
oversaw every detail with
meticulous precision. The party was
a reflection of her status, a
testament to her wealth and
power. Everything had to be
perfect, flawless.
Her most prized possession, a
magnificent diamond necklace, was
to be the centerpiece of her attire.
The necklace, a family heirloom,
was worth a fortune. Each diamond
sparkled with an icy fire, a symbol
of the Hawthorne family's enduring
legacy.
While the mansion buzzed with
excitement, Amanda toiled away in
the background, performing her
usual chores. She cleaned, polished,
and served, her presence barely
acknowledged amidst the flurry of
activity.
Richard, emboldened by his
mother's preoccupation, intensified
his abuse of Amanda. He cornered
her in the pantry, trapping her
between shelves of canned goods.
He ran his hands through her hair,
his fingers lingering on her neck.
"You look pretty tonight, Amanda,"
he whispered, his breath hot on her
ear. "Too bad you can't join the
party."
Amanda recoiled, her heart
pounding with fear. "Leave me
alone, Richard," she pleaded.
Richard chuckled. "Why should I?
You know you like it."
He leaned in closer, his intentions
clear. Amanda struggled to break
free, but Richard was too strong.
Just as he was about to force
himself on her, a loud crash echoed
through the mansion. Mrs. Eleanor,
alerted by the noise, rushed into
the pantry.
Richard quickly released Amanda,
his face flushed with anger. "What's
going on here?" Mrs. Eleanor
demanded, her eyes narrowed.
"Nothing, Mother," Richard replied
smoothly. "Amanda just dropped a
jar of pickles."
Mrs. Eleanor glared at Amanda, her
expression a mixture of suspicion
and annoyance. "Clean it up," she
snapped. "And try to be more
careful."
As Mrs. Eleanor turned to leave,
Amanda noticed something was
missing. Her diamond necklace,
which had been lying on the
dressing table, was gone.
Panic seized her. She searched
frantically, turning the room upside
down, but the necklace was
nowhere' to be found.
She rushed to Mrs. Eleanor, her
voice trembling. "The necklace… it's
gone!"
Mrs. Eleanor's face turned white
with rage. "What do you mean,
gone? Where is it?"
"I don't know," Amanda
stammered. "I can't find it."
Mrs. Eleanor's eyes narrowed, her
gaze fixed on Amanda. "You," she
hissed. "You stole it, didn't you?"
"No!" Amanda protested. "I didn't
take anything."
"Don't lie to me!" Mrs. Eleanor
screamed. "You're nothing but a
thief, just like your mother!"
She grabbed Amanda by the arm
and dragged her into the ballroom,
in front of all the guests.
"Everyone, look at this girl!" she
announced, her voice dripping with
venom. "She's a thief! She stole my
diamond necklace!"
The guests gasped, their eyes fixed
on Amanda with a mixture of shock
and disdain.
Amanda's face flushed with shame.
She tried to defend herself, but her
words were drowned out by Mrs.
Eleanor's accusations.
"You're nothing but a street rat,"
Mrs. Eleanor screamed. "I should
have left you where' I found you!"
Her words, sharp and cruel, pierced
Amanda's heart like a dagger. The
truth, the reality of her origins, was
laid bare for all to see. The
humiliation was unbearable.
In that moment, something inside
Amanda snapped. The years of
abuse, the neglect, the constant
feeling of being unwanted, all
coalesced into a single, burning
rage. She would no longer tolerate
the cruelty, the injustice. She would
no longer be a victim. Don't forget to leave a Comment 
