A liability

Vanya walked into the dining room, her head held high as she took her place at the table. Her father, James, hardly acknowledged her, his eyes fixed on his plate as he began to eat. Her stepmother, Victoria, on the other hand, was prancing around the table, chatting animatedly with Brian and Elena.

Vanya's eyes narrowed as she watched her stepmother, feeling a familiar surge of resentment. Why did Victoria always have to be so fake, so over-the-top? Couldn't she just be genuine for once?

James finally spoke up, his voice gruff as he addressed Vanya. "Your in-laws will be arriving in a few days," he said, his eyes still fixed on his plate. "I expect you to be on your best behavior."

Vanya nodded silently, not wanting to upset her father. She knew that he was already stressed about the upcoming marriage, and she didn't want to add to his worries.

But Brian, her stepbrother, wasn't so quiet. "How can we marry off such a young girl to a disabled man?" he asked, his voice full of disdain. "It's not right. She's only 18 years old, and she deserves a chance to live her life before being tied down to someone she doesn't love."

Victoria smiled sweetly, but her eyes were cold and calculating. "Oh, Brian, you're so naive," she said. "Vanya is a liability, and we can't afford to keep her around anymore. She should be grateful that we're not throwing her out on the streets."

Vanya's eyes flashed with anger at Victoria's words, but she kept her mouth shut. She knew that arguing with her stepmother would only lead to more trouble.

James spoke up, his voice firm. "Vanya is 18 years old, and she's old enough to get married. She's been a burden on this family for too long, and it's time for her to start pulling her weight."

Vanya's eyes narrowed as she listened to her father's words. She knew that he was just trying to get rid of her, to pawn her off on some poor unsuspecting man.

But Vanya wasn't going to go down without a fight. She spoke up, her voice calm and rational. "Actually, Father, I think Elena would be more suitable for marriage. She's 21 years old, and she's more mature and responsible than I am. And she and Clyde are only two years apart in age, whereas I'm five years younger than him."

Victoria's face turned red with rage, and she slammed her hand down on the table. "How dare you!" she spat. "You ungrateful child! You should be grateful that we're not throwing you out on the streets. And as for your grandmother, don't think for a moment that we won't use her as leverage to get you to do what we want. You'll do as you're told, or else."

Vanya's eyes widened in shock at Victoria's threat. She knew that her stepmother was capable of anything, and she wasn't going to back down.

Vanya didn't say much in response to Victoria's threat. She knew that arguing with her stepmother would only lead to more trouble. Instead, she pushed her chair back and stood up, her eyes fixed on the door.

"I need some fresh air," she said, her voice flat.

Victoria's eyes narrowed, but she didn't say anything. Vanya knew that her stepmother was angry, but she didn't care. She needed to get out of the house, to clear her head and process everything that was happening.

As she walked outside, Vanya felt a sense of relief wash over her. The cool night air was a welcome respite from the stifling tension inside the house. She took a deep breath, feeling her lungs expand as she let the air fill her.

As she walked, Vanya's thoughts turned to her past life. She had died in that life, burned alive by the people she had trusted. But there had been one person who had tried to save her. A man with piercing blue eyes and jet black hair. She hadn't seen him before, but there was something about him that felt familiar.

Vanya's eyes closed as she remembered the man's face. She had felt a sense of safety with him, a sense of protection. But it had been too late. She had already been too badly hurt.

As she walked, Vanya felt a sense of longing wash over her. She wished that she could have met the man again, that she could have gotten to know him better. But that was impossible now. She was stuck in this new life, forced to marry a man she didn't love.

Vanya's eyes opened, and she looked around at the darkening landscape. She knew that she had to be careful, that she had to keep her wits about her if she was going to survive. But for now, she just wanted to walk, to clear her head and process everything that was happening.