Chapter 3

Dad stood in the doorway, panting, car keys clutched in his hand.

Mom looked me up and down, still shaken. "What now?"

I shook my head weakly. "Nothing, I just—"

The car keys were hurled into my face. My nose felt like it had shattered.

"If it's nothing, why'd you press the alarm! Do you want me and your mother to die because of you before you're satisfied!"

"You're already useless. Is your mind that twisted too? Learn something from your brother! Have some sense!"

Looking at his hysterical rage, I no longer felt my heart being carved to pieces.

Stolen happiness always has to be returned eventually.

Before Lucas was born, my parents treated me like their precious treasure.

Everything I ate, wore, and used was the best they could afford.

When I mentioned wanting to learn piano, Dad worked overtime for three months to buy me the most expensive brand and hire the best teacher.

When a boy at school cut my hair, my shy mother stormed into the school and confronted those unreasonable people, standing up for me.

In the real world, I was raised by my grandmother. I never knew what it felt like to have a complete family.

For a moment, I even thought—how wonderful it would be to stay with them forever.

But then he came, and everything ended.

Even as an infant, Lucas would spit on my face. When I got upset and pinched his cheek, Mom pulled me aside, her face full of disappointment.

"Emma, you're the older sister. How could you hurt your brother! Everything we taught you was for nothing!"

After I was burned, every time my wounds flared up, I would break down crying and grab Mom's hand.

"He really did throw the lighter at me! He's been this evil since the day he was born. He'll destroy our whole family!"

"There's still time. We can watch him together. Don't let him fool you!"

At first, they would comfort me. Then one day Dad smashed an ashtray on the floor, his eyes bloodshot.

"Emma, we've tolerated your tantrums once, twice—fine, we humored you."

"But now you've gone too far! It was clearly an accident you caused yourself, and you're trying to blame your baby brother!"

He was so angry he wanted to hit me, but Mom desperately held him back.

"Emma, listen to me. We're both women, I know what you're thinking."

"But if you're jealous of your brother and try to get our attention this way, we'll only hate you more!"

Lucas found opportunities to hurt me regularly, and my parents grew increasingly impatient with me.

Once he pushed me off a slide. I landed headfirst on the ground and lost consciousness.

When I woke up, I was still lying on the concrete. Mom stood over me, arms crossed.

"Your brother did this too? How long are you going to keep playing victim?"

"Do you think the hospital is your personal property? I can barely pay off my credit cards!"

From then on, I gave up completely. I let go of any hope of redemption.

Seeing me silent, Mom reached down to help me up.

Lucas's eyes darted, and he suddenly cried out loudly.

"Mom! Dad! Say something to me!"

"I was standing right next to the alarm. It was so loud—I think it damaged my ears."

Mom's face went pale. She dropped me, and my leg slammed hard against the floor.

"Then let's get you to the hospital right away. This is serious."

Dad grabbed my hair and dragged me furiously toward the basement.

"This damn girl causes problems every day. She's already a wreck, and now she wants to ruin her brother too!"

"Stay in here and think about what you've done! No dinner tonight!"

The basement door slammed shut. The room was pitch black—I couldn't see my hand in front of my face. All I could hear was rats scurrying past.

I closed my eyes quietly and waited for my chance to go home.

After what felt like forever, someone shook me awake.