As the years grew by, Kim grew lovelier while the merchant grew lonelier. Ever since the passing of his wife, he had sought out a new woman to wed. Unfortunately, he happened upon Madame Ivy and her two spoilt and pampered sisters; Lizella and Alexstasia.
The merchant married Madame Ivy and introduced her to Kim as her new stepmother. On the surface, Madame Ivy was stoic and quiet woman with impeccable manners. However, when he was away for his trips; she spent her time bullying Kim and spending time with her daughters. Alexstasia and Lizella joined in with Madame Ivy all the time.
No matter what, Kim never managed to get close to them.
One morning, before the merchant left for yet another business trip, he promised the prospect of gifts. As the merchant left, his daughters yelled what they wanted.
"BUY SOME MORE CLOTHES AND JEWELERY!" Alexstasia yelled.
"BUY A PAROSOL FOR MY SKIN!" Lizella bellowed.
"BRING ME THE FIRST BRANCH THAT YOU SEE!" Kim cried out, not wanting to place a burden on her father's finances.
"I WILL BRING YOU YOUR GIFTS LIKE I PROMISED!" The merchant called back.
Kim always received his letters; until one morning where her nightmare would begin. When the doorbell rang, Kim ran eagerly to get it.
"MANNERS!" Madame Ivy scolded as usual.
When she opened the door, the postman looked grave and solemn instead of his usual smile.
Kim asked quietly "What happened?" But in her heart, she knew something bad had happened.
"Miss, it's your father… he had taken ill and died on his journey. All that is left of him were these gifts…" He held out a few boxes and a branch. "And… he declared his undying love to you…" the postman quietly mumbled.
Madame Ivy overheard this and her hatred for Kim began to grow in her cruel heart. She took all of Kim's fortunes and gave it to her daughters. To make things worse; Madame Ivy fired all of the staff in order to begin her evil and cold plan; Forcing Kim to be a servant in her own home.
Despite the cruelty, Kim maintained her kind and courageous nature. She cooked and cleaned without any complaint and secretly wished for the nightmare to end soon.