The Masquerade Ball *Short Story*

Prologue

  In a cold hospital room, a little chesnut-haired girl sat next to her father and her dying mother. Her mothers brown eyes met with her daughter's grey ones. "Ella," she said so quietly, Ella had to lean closer. "A great secret that will see you through all the trials life has to offer: Have courage and be kind," and at that Ella's mother closed her eyes and took her last breath.
 
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A year and a half later, Ella's father married a lady, who had two twin daughters who were not very kind to Ella. Ella had grown to look so much like her beautiful mother. She had the same chesnut hair, the smooth, clear skin that made her look like a porcelain doll , and the exact button nose. Her stepmother and stepsisters were very jealous of how beautiful and kind she was. They thought that Ella's father only paid attention and only loved her and they hated that. They made Ella's life as horrible as they possibly could and they swore they would for as long as Ella's father cherished her more than the others.