The Villainess's Stationery Shop

“You’re nothing but a burden to this household. Take this and get out of my sight forever!” she screamed, shoving a handful of coins toward me. Without hesitation, I grabbed the money and turned away. “Gladly! I won’t miss any of you!” I called over my shoulder as I walked out the door. The cold wind bit at my cheeks, but the burning humiliation hurt far worse. This family had never shown me kindness, only scorn. Now I was finally free—free to build my own life far away from their cruelty. The coins jingled in my pocket as I stepped into the bustling marketplace, ready to start anew. Maybe this rejection was actually my salvation. No more pretending to belong where I wasn’t wanted. No more enduring their contempt. From this day forward, I would carve my own path, no matter what it took. The stationery shop’s colorful sign caught my eye—perhaps this was where my story truly began.