How is it possible to fit in when you are the piece of copper that stands out in a priceless perfect set of diamonds?

How do you pretend that you are not the freak? That you don't know that people are whispering behind your back? That maids laugh and mock you every chance they get.

Well the answer is simple.

You can't.

I know this better than anyone. I was that worthless piece of metal. I was the disgrace. I was the one that stood out everywhere I went. The one whose own father didn't want anything to do with her. I was the half-breed.

You may ask how and why?

18 nearly 19 years ago, I was conceived out of a union between a Latina maid and a rich millionaire. I always wondered why my mother Esther-Maria was so stupid to have ever fallen for the most known trap to man.

It was a typical rich man story; she was in love with her boss, they slept together and promised love to each other. Maybe he promised to leave his wife and marry her. I don't know but one thing for sure was, he was a rake.

He took advantage of her vulnerability. And that was how I was conceived. Of course, upon finding out the news of his upcoming child he was furious. This situation would forever destroy and change his life and taint his reputation.

His wife was furious, his children were furious, his parents were furious and his in-laws were furious. And that fury was refocused onto me. I was the unwanted. I was the child of the tramp.

The maid Esther-Maria, was accused of being a home wrecker. A slut, a tramp, practically every name in the book and then some. I knew this because certain people continue to use these words on her. Not with the same intensity but people do whisper it under their breath. I guess some people would never change.

My 'father' was a rake but he could not turn his back on his responsibility so easily. Up to now I don't understand why. Why he would even agree to keep me or my mother in his mansion.

Nevertheless, he put up with my mother. He continued to let her live in the mansion as a maid. The man would never acknowledge me as his own. He stayed clear away from me. The man would never even give my mother extra money to look after his own child. She looked after me out of the expenses of her job.  I lived in the quarters with the rest of the employees. I was just a regular girl except with a stigma.

A stigma that I did not even earn. It became my birthright and I never stood a chance. Everything was set against me. His family was against me except his wife.

I loved that woman. It's weird to say that about your step-mother because everyone expects the other woman to be an enemy but she, she was different. She was an angel. She was sweet and kind. She never ever was rude to my mother. She helped me at times, bringing me clothes and toys and books. Like I said she was a real angel. She even gave me pocket money. 

But it's sad to say that the rest of the family wasn't like her. They weren't even a quarter as nice as her. They were vicious as they were cruel. Take my father, for instance, he ignored my very existence. He never looked at me. And my half-brothers and sisters teased me mercilessly and it was their life's goal to make mine disastrous. I went to the same prestigious school as they did, thanks to my stepmother, but it was at the cost of suicide.

I kid you not, there were times when I wanted to commit suicide. They made my life a living hell. The bullying, the name calling, destruction of my school work, pouring food and urine and dog excretes on me, putting terrifying animals in my locker, the list goes on and on.

Every single day I was terrified to go to school. Each day I tried my best to avoid them but it was useless, they practically owned the school. I always came home with some new bruise or being emotionally scarred. Yet no one ever knew that I was related to them. That would be too embarrassing for their reputation and pride. So, to everyone else, I was just an easy prey.

You know how people say grandparents are so nice? Well, that's a huge lie, at least for me. My grandparents hated me. To them, I was a huge mistake. I was referred to as the 'maids daughter' or simply 'the error'. 

And I think they really believed their own lie that I was just a regular girl who had no association with the Timmons. On the good days that I was recognized, I was the girl that had tried to destroy their family. And I was undeserving of the oh so powerful name.

Right now, my eighteenth birthday had come and gone with no big deal. It was supposed to be one of the biggest days in a girls life. But if you're not a Timmons it is not. I think my father banned me from even having a small party. He wanted me to suffer. Because of me, he had lost respect from his brothers and sisters and wife and children.

Most of the people in the outside world did not know about me. Thanks to the iron clad document he forced my mother to sign. It was never to be mentioned that he was my father. In exchange, he would give my mother employment. Make no mistake he was powerful and rich enough to make or break someone. My mother stood no chance. And let's face it she was not the defiant type.

For my birthday my mother gave me a beautiful necklace that had been passed on in her family. At times I think she blamed herself for everything that I had and was going through. But I couldn't really put the blame her on her.

Okay, that's not true. I did blame her a little bit. This would never have happened if she did not go after a married man! Her excuse was that she had fallen in love with him. That was the stupidest thing that I ever heard. This was not a fairy-tale. This was life!

I guess my life was not that bad. I mean there were a couple of the maids that were nice to me. They sang happy birthday to me in Spanish and they baked me a small cupcake.

But my biggest birthday gift was when my boyfriend of three months took me out to dinner. His name was Collins Dwight. I met him when I bumped into him while I was helping my mother take the trash out. He was so sweet about the whole thing. He helped me up and we ended up talking for hours. I think he came to visit one of the employees for I had never seen him before. But after a few hours, I found him to be very intelligent.

He was about five years older than me but it didn't seem to matter. I was matured enough. Months passed and he asked me to be his girlfriend. I started to meet up with him at the park and we would go out for dessert. Of course, I had to keep this a secret.

He was the reason why I looked forward to each day. He was tall blond and muscular. He had dark green eyes. He was attentive and funny and had a wicked sense of humor. We clicked instantly. He was my first real friend.

On my eighteenth birthday, I gave him my greatest treasure. My virginity. It felt so right. He was like me, a regular Joe. He was at university studying architecture and business. He was that smart. It was great to have a friend let alone a boyfriend. Because for so long I had neither. And for so long I had lied to myself I didn't need either one but the truth was I did. I spoke to him every day on the phone. He always complained about the amount of pain he was in from school. I always giggled and told him to suck it up. We talked about everything even marriage.

But it had been a couple of weeks since I spoke to Collins in a while. He always texted me quickly to tell me he was busy and whatnot. I thought it best to let it go. But I needed to talk to him soon. I had something important to tell him. I was lying on my bed thinking of him when there was a knock on my door. It was my mother.

"Sweetie they are short on help could you please come and help" she asked. She looked tired and she was aging. I could see the exhaustion on her.

Being the good daughter I was, I picked my lazy butt up and shook away my dizziness and went to the kitchen. I was never invited to these dinners. The last time I ventured by accident, grandmother Timmons grabbed me by the ear and threw me out. It was an accident and I was tricked by Morgan and Judy into going into that room. They laughed themselves silly.

Safe to say I made myself invisible when things like parties and functions came around. Tess who was in charge of the staff asked me to carry a tray of shrimp inside. I dreaded it. I didn't want to be seen. But nevertheless, I picked it up and headed to the living room. I set the tray down quickly and was about to back away when I saw Dwight. He was talking with Morgan my older brother and Zion my younger brother.

What was he doing here? And what was he doing with my brothers? I thought he was at school. He finally looked my way and caught my eye. He looked at me and signaled with his head that we should meet outside.

I nodded. No one had noticed me yet. If they did then they were ignoring me as usual. I sneaked out and I met him in the garden, he was standing by the fountain waiting. He heard my footsteps and turned to face me.

I threw myself at him. It was weird that he did not hug me back. Usually, he would be swinging me around, kissing me senseless.

Untangling myself I looked at him. He seemed to be smiling. I smiled back but I had so many questions. For starters, what he was doing with Morgan? He was just a regular guy. And the Timmons did not mix with regular guys.

"Collins, where have you been? What are you doing here? I-"

He cut me short by placing a kiss on my lips. That shut me up real quick.

"Shh darling at the right time all shall be explained" he said with a smile. I leaned my head on his broad shoulders.

" I have to tell you something" whispering to him. I knew that I had to tell him.

"Okay"

Taking a deep breath "I'm pregnant" I whispered to him.

"What?" He looked at me like I had gone mad.

"How?"

"Do you really want to know?" I asked him sarcastically.

Taking a deep breath "How far along?"

"About six weeks. I took three tests" I really had. I have been freaking out when I took the first one. I had to make sure.

He stepped away from me. It stung a little bit.

"Well, this complicates things" when he turned back to me. He just smiled a weird looking smile and then he walked back inside without sparing me another glance or saying another word.

What was going on, what was he talking about? Was he angry at me? Would he take responsibility?

I supposed I would soon find out.

..................................................................................................

It was official my life sucked. I was pregnant and the father has gone AWOL. I had not spoken to him since the party. That was two weeks ago. I tried calling and texting. But it was all useless. I had told no one except for him. I was a little scared. I was more scared of what will happen when my family found out. I wondered and dreaded what they would do.

I didn't have to wait long. My presence was demanded upstairs. I looked in the mirror. No one could tell that I was pregnant. At least not yet. My tummy was still fairly flat and was wearing an oversized sweater.

I walked in and the whole family was sitting there. As soon as I stepped in the living room, my father who was sitting by his wife, walked up to me and slapped then backhanded me so hard that I fell to the floor. I held my cheek and looked up at him in shock and fear. Never has he ever laid a hand on me. He was emotionally and verbally abusive but never physical. 

"You whore, you tramp! Exactly like your mother! How could you?! Sleep with Collins and try and trap him with a child. You will not trap him like what your mother did to me. You hear me! You won't!" He was screaming so loud that the glass shook.

I looked up trembling. There were my grandparents, three other people I didn't know, my siblings, and Collins.

"I don't understand" I whispered.

"Diane, are you pregnant?" My stepmother asked me softly. She looked disappointed. And there was an indiscernible look in her eyes. 

How did they find out? I never showed any signs. The only person I told was Collins. I looked at him but he just had a blank look in his eyes. I looked down and answered quietly "Yes"

My father grabbed my chin causing me to look at him "You better speak up!"

"I said yes" I repeated a little louder.

"Who's the father?" she asked again.

"Collins" I replied pointing at him.

"How can we be sure? I mean she is like her a mother; a tramp. The baby could not even be his" Judith interjected.

"Don't you dare speak about my mother! Leave her out of this!" I yelled. 

They looked shocked, for years I had never stood up for myself or talked back.

"How dare you-" Judith said rising up from her seat, with her hand raised.

"Judy that is enough!" Her mother cut in. She reluctantly kept quiet and sent glares to me. I glared back. I was beyond mad. I had enough of her insult. 

"Diane, did you know who Collins was? I mean, did you try to trap him with a pregnancy? Is there any truth in that?" Rachel my step-mother asked.

"What no! He was my boyfriend. Why do you guys even care?"

"Because you are trying to trap him just like your mother did to me. But you've surpassed her, what were you hoping for that he would marry you? You could finally land yourself a billionaire, huh?" Eric said with so much disdain and disgust.

What the heck was he talking about? Collins was not even rich. And I let them know that.

But they looked at me like I had gone mad.

"That's a good one Diane" Morgan laughed.

"Playing the innocent naive girl, you should be an actress. But I'll play along" my father chuckled darkly.

"So you didn't know that he was Collins Dwight. My godson. Heir to the billion dollar architecture empire. You really do not know that? I find that hard to believe"

It was now my turn to look at him like he had gone mad. I didn't know. I was speechless. I looked at him shocked.

I laughed. They looked at me like I had gone mad. But the truth was I was mad. Mad to think that love existed. Mad to think that I would be different. Mad that I was in this situation. Mad at myself. When I stopped I looked at them. I was tired. I was tired of arguing. Nothing I said could change their minds. So for the next half hour, I stood there in the living room with my arms crossed and hot tears sliding down my cheeks. My family standing against me, ridiculing me. Accusing me.

Even Collins, the guy who claimed to have loved me, called me a couple of choice words.

When the last person finished speaking I finally spoke.

"What do you want?"

"What I want is for you to be out of my life" Collins answered in a bored voice.

I looked at him hurt. I could not believe the man that I thought was the love of my life was telling me these things. What happened? Who was he? I thought I knew him. Where was the guy who used to whisper sweet words to me? But I guess I never did. I was a fool.

But he was not finished " And I don't want what comes with you. Hence I don't want that bastard and thing in you"

I looked at him. I never felt so much hate for someone in all my life. So much disdain. This child was his flesh and blood. And he was walking away from him. And the idiots by him were nodding their heads in agreement.

"Fine. You won't have to be in his or her life if that is what you want" I whispered quietly.

"Good choice Collins. I will not allow you to destroy your life like her mother did to mine" my father said with pride. He signaled to a man I had never met before.

A man stepped up. He had a piece of paper in his hand.

"Miss this is a waiver that waives all rights of Collins Dwight to your child. He has already signed. Would you please sign and date"

I looked at him. I would swallow my pride and beg one last time. I would beg for the sake of my child. I plead with my eyes. But the prick just rolled his eyes.

"Just sign it Diane. I have somewhere else to be" he said impatiently.

I took the pen and signed. Confirming that Collins was no longer the dad. And had no right or legal rights to my child. He would never contact my child or come near him or her. The lawyer handed me a copy.

"Good, as of this moment Collins Dwight is no longer the father of your child. You have also signed to keep silent about the matter. are. You are not even permitted to tell the child who the biological father is. Is that clear?"

These people are unbelievable. At my lowest of lows, they even tricked me. Wow. But I just nodded my head. I was exhausted. My life had done a 360. It was horrible, then I thought that my life had changed thanks to the love I thought I had for Collins. Now it was back to the crappy place called my life. A real 360, my life sucked, then I thought it was changing for the better, now it is going back to sucking. But what could I do? Nothing so I just nodded my head.

"Good. There is also a fee for you in the amount of $800,000" the lawyer continued.

"I don't want it"

"Come on Diane drop your act. Just take the money"Collins urged rolling his eyes.

I don't want it" I repeated. I turned to walk away when my father yelled at me to stop.

"I have had it with you! You could never be like your sister or even try. You are a disgrace. What are you even doing with your life? Besides sleeping around! Why can't you be like Judy or Ashley or Sara? Look at them!" My father pointed to my sisters who sat beautifully basking in his compliments.

Ashley finished high school last year and instantly followed her desires, to walk down the runway with all those labeled clothing and praised by the people around the globe. 

Judy worked as a fashion consultant for an elite magazine.

My Morgan took after my father and grandfather. He worked in automobiles. He was making millions. 

Sara just finished high school, the same year as me. But I was younger than her having skipped a grade. And she was chasing her dream of being an actress. 

And Zion was going to his senior year of high school.

"What is your plan with your god forsaken life?!" He growled.

I simply stood there un-moving and emotionless, my arms crossed tighter wrapping itself against me. My eyes were cast down.

"You're doing nothing but wasting precious money. You know what you are, you are the greatest mistake I ever made! You are a punishment to me!"

Ouch. That stung. But I always knew this.

"As unplanned as you were, hell I told your mother before to abort you but oh no! She was too weak! Just like you. And here I am still paying the price for her weakness" He bellowed louder and it took everything with me not to slap the bastard that I should call father, so I just bit my cheeks in.

"I should've kicked both you and your mother and to the curb." Looking at me in disgust and my siblings and Collins laughed uncontrollably.

"Since you're already old enough to fend for yourself, pack your bags and get out of my house. I don't need or want you. From this day forward you're disowned." My father spoke with finality.

"I'll do that right away. Goodbye" walking out of the living room I went down the stairs two at a time. Ignoring all the employees I went to my room to discover my mother packing my things.

"Let's go" she spoke with authority.

I trailed behind her and helped. I started to pack the essentials like my laptop that I saved up and bought for myself and of course, the extra cash that I earned from working shifts and over time in diners and stores. We were soon done.

"This is a new start Diane" my mother spoke softly to me whilst hugging me close to her. 

We walked out back and straight to the gate. We didn't bother to say goodbye to anyone.

And at the gate, we walked to our future. Leaving back every single memory. The three of us were on our way to freedom.