He Only Wanted My Hands

My name is Sienna Tillman, and I've been mute for as long as I can remember. That day, the rain poured down in sheets, and I was curled up under the bridge, nearly frozen solid. A pair of black leather shoes stopped in front of me, and when I looked up, I saw Casper Lloyd. He wore a clean trench coat, handed me a warm piece of bread, and said softly, "Come with me, I'll give you a home." I grabbed onto him like a lifeline and followed him back to the apartment. His apartment was neat, but lined with countless bottles and jars of hair care products. Casper said, "You're so careful. From now on, take care of my hair, and I'll support you with food and clothing." I nodded eagerly, thinking I had finally escaped a life of hardship and wandering. From that day on, I became Casper Lloyd's "hair care slave." Every morning, I would prepare warm water and hair oil ahead of time, carefully combing his long hair. His hair was black and thick, and he cared for it more than anything. Sometimes, if I combed a bit too hard, he'd frown and make me start over. I didn't dare slack off even a little, afraid of losing this hard-won "home." Day after day passed, and I thought this life would last forever. Until one day, a group of men in suits came to the apartment, saying I was the Tillman Family's long-lost biological daughter. I was stunned, but Casper Lloyd seemed calm, as if he had known all along. When I followed the Tillman family back to that luxurious villa, it felt like I had stepped into another world. In the living room sat a girl in a princess dress; she had eyes and brows similar to mine but wore a proud expression. Mr. and Mrs. Tillman introduced her as Yolanda Tillman, who had been raised as their own daughter all these years. I looked at Yolanda, then glanced at Casper standing beside her, feeling a strange unease stirring inside me. That night, I accidentally overheard Casper Lloyd and Yolanda Tillman talking in the hallway. Casper's voice was softer than I'd ever heard before: "Once Sienna is fully part of the Tillman Family, she'll be able to take better care of your hair. Your hair needs the best, most professional care." Yolanda laughed and said, "You're so thoughtful. I really love having her kneel and comb my hair—it feels amazing." A cold shiver ran through me; it wasn't kindness that made Casper save me. He didn't love me. He loved my hands—my careful hands that could tend to Yolanda's hair. It was so I could serve her. From that day on, my nightmare began. Mr. and Mrs. Tillman were cold to me, treating me only as a tool to take care of Yolanda Tillman. They made me live in a cramped servant's room, with the daily task of caring for Yolanda's hair. Yolanda's hair was long and fragile, demanding endless hours of care. She insisted I kneel while tending to her hair, claiming it was the only way to prove my sincerity. I had no strength to resist and could only kneel day after day. My fingertips turned white from soaking in all the hair care products, gradually losing all sensation. Days like this have gone by—104 in total.