It was now a quarter to one in the morning; Belos had sent Boscha and Bria off with their parents the moment they arrived. Now it was just him and CinderAmity once again, but she hadn't come out of the kitchen since her strange outburst. There was something she was hiding from him, that much was clear. At one o'clock, CinderAmity finally opened the kitchen door. She peeked her head out to see that the manor was quiet and dark; Belos must've gone up to bed. She sighed in relief and carefully went back to the east drawing room to clean up, making sure to stay as quiet as a mouse. She was tired, but she also knew that if she didn't do something about the mess, then Belos would definitely punish her. She wiped up the spilled Apple Blood, took the tray and glass, and washed them up in the kitchen sink. But she still thought about the Princess's proclamation as she worked.

"The Princess is looking for me." She said. She turned off the water and turned to Ghost, who was standing on the counter nearby. "I still can't believe it, Ghost. Princess Luzura is actually looking for me. ME." She ran a hand through her hair and leaned against the sink. "But I can't approach her like this. What would she think?" The feelings she developed for Luz never went away and she was afraid Luz would reject her if she learned the truth about her. "What do I do?"

"Here's an idea." Eda's voice said.

CinderAmity and Ghost turned to see Eda with Owlbert on her shoulder; she was leaning on the open doorway leading outside to where the garbage cans were.

"If you really love her, why don't you let her know?" Eda asked.

"How can I? Look at me." CinderAmity replied, looking down at her tattered clothes.

"Do you really think Luz fell in love with your fancy gown and sparkly bangles?"

"…I don't know anymore." She started to cry. "I mean, if you hadn't helped me the way you did—"

"You didn't need my help. You just thought you did." The Owl Lady put a comforting hand on the girl's shoulder. "As corny as it sounds, you have to believe in yourself, Amity, and trust Luzura to love you as you really are. Besides, who wouldn't want to have someone as awesome as you for a girlfriend?"

"Really?"

"Yep. Trust me. You deserve better, Bossy Boots. Don't forget that."

CinderAmity smiled as her godmother pulled her in for a hug; it's been a long time since she felt love and affection from a caring adult. They pulled apart and Eda nodded her head. But as she headed towards the door, she said,

"Now if you'll excuse me, I'd better bounce before you-know-who catches me and gets a little you-know-what. Byeeeee."

She winked and quickly shut the door behind her, causing the girl to giggle. After a moment, Ghost nuzzled up against CinderAmity's leg and she scratched her under her chin.

"Eda's right, Ghost. I have to go to Luz and tell her the truth." She said. "I do deserve better. I deserve to be loved."

"Is that so?"

CinderAmity froze and whipped her head around to see Belos standing in the doorway with an angry look on his face; he was in black pajamas and a white silk robe and holding a lit candle in one hand. She was so startled that she didn't even have time to hide her purple hair or notice Ghost running off to hide.

"…It was you." He said coldly. "I should've known. You had everyone fooled, didn't you?"

"What? I-I-I-I don't know what you're talking about." CinderAmity fibbed.

"Don't play games with me, girl. You know exactly what I'm talking about. Disobeying me, dying your hair, somehow finding a suitable disguise, attending the Ball behind my back, and still able to hide right under my nose. Is this the thanks I get for taking you in?"

She said nothing, but turned her head away from him and gripped her skirt with one hand. He sneered at her as he slowly walked towards her; she instinctively backed away.

"Where is it?" He asked.

"Where's what?" She stuttered, trying not to look him in the eye.

"Don't even bother denying it. I'm talking about the other glass slipper. I know you have it. Where are you hiding it?"

"I… I don't have it anymore. I took a misstep… and it broke. There's nothing left of it." She lied before she bumped up against the counter behind her. He stopped right in front of her.

Belos narrowed his eyes and flicked CinderAmity's bangs out of her face. "Enough with your lies. I'll ask you one more time." He leaned in closer until he and his stepdaughter were practically nose to nose. "Where is the slipper? Tell me the truth. NOW."

CinderAmity's breath quickened and her heart rate increased in terror, but she quickly realized she had to stand her ground. She couldn't take it anymore. With a burst of courage, she pushed him away from her and said, "NO."

Belos was taken aback, but his shock at her outburst slowly turned to anger. "…No? You dare tell me NO?"

"Yes." She straightened her back and stood tall as she let it all out. "You know what? Fine. I admit it, it was me. I danced with the Princess at the Ball. But so what? Tonight was the most fun I've had in a very long time. I've had enough of this, enough of YOU. And I won't let you push me around anymore."

He snarled at her. "How dare you talk back to me? Have you forgotten I am your father?"

"STEP-father! You have never been and you never will be my dad!"

"Hold your tongue, child!" He reached out to grab her, but she promptly smacked his hand away.

"No, not this time!" CinderAmity shouted. "This has gone on for too long! I'm through being your slave, Belos! I'm leaving you forever! And I am not going to let you hurt me or anyone else ever again!" She stomped her foot down hard on the floor, which caused a few cups and pans to shake.

Belos stared at his stepdaughter as he clenched his fists in anger; she needed to be taught a lesson, a hard lesson. "Well, it seems someone has grown a spine." He glanced at a framed photo sitting on the counter and picked it up; it was the Blight family all together. "…That is a mistake." He narrowed his eyes and without a second thought, he slammed the picture frame hard on the countertop and tossed it to the floor before stomping on it.

"No!" CinderAmity cried. She picked up the ruined photo, looked at it, and felt like crying. She glanced back up at Belos with a hurt look. "…W-why? Why are you so cruel? I don't understand. I tried so hard for so long to be a good stepdaughter, hoping you'd show me a little love. But you never did. I've done nothing but be obedient and kind to you, but nothing was ever enough for you, was it?"

Belos stared at her, bewildered and still angry. "You? Kind to me?"

"Yes! But you didn't deserve it. People like you NEVER do. And even though no one deserves to be treated the way you treated me, I just want to know… why do you do it? Why?"

"…You really want to know?"

"Yes!" She stomped up to him, her eyes burning with anger. "Answer my question, go on! Tell me why!"

He growled as he allowed his anger to come to a boil. "Why? Why?! WHY?! Because YOU are young and clever and innocent and good! And I… I…" He stopped, unable to finish his next sentence. He screamed in frustration and turned to face the doorway. "No! I do NOT have to explain myself to a child!"

CinderAmity paused as her eyes widened in realization. "Wait… Are you… jealous? Of me?"

He clenched his fists even tighter before he spun back around, his eyes glowing bright blue. "I wouldn't dare make such accusations if I were you."

Before anything else could be said, Belos violently grabbed CinderAmity by her arms and practically dragged her out of the kitchen. She was terrified; she kicked and shouted, trying to break free, but her stepfather had a grip like iron and it was no use. Soon, they stopped at the basement door. Belos opened the door and turned back to her.

"A little alone time down here should provide you with an attitude adjustment." He said.

"Wait!" CinderAmity yelled; she gripped his arms and looked him dead in the eye. "I want to know one more thing… Was there ever a time where you might've loved me at all?"

Belos fell silent as he stared coldly at the young witch. After a few moments, he loosened his grip and put a hand on her back. "…How could anyone love a pebble in their shoe?" And with that, he pushed CinderAmity through the open door. She screamed, but caught the hand railing so she wouldn't fall down the stairs. "Hopefully this will teach you not to forget your place." He then took out a key and gave a cruel smile; her eyes widened in terror. "Goodnight."

"No! No, wait! Stop!" CinderAmity shouted as she reached for the door. But it was too late; Belos promptly slammed the door shut and locked it from the other side. She pounded her fists on the door and tried to open it, but it wouldn't budge. "No! Belos, open the door!" She started to panic as tears streamed down her cheeks. "Let me out of here! I said let me out! You can't do this! Please, no! You can't keep me in here! Please, please…" She fell to her knees and started to cry, realizing there was no way out.

Feeling very pleased with himself, Belos smiled and went upstairs to go back to bed without a second thought. Ghost, who was watching and listening to everything from the shadows, growled in anger at Belos with her white fur standing on end. Then she walked up to the basement door and sadly laid down in front of it; she could hear CinderAmity's sobs from inside. She had to do something to save her mistress, but what?