Chapter 2

I held my phone, my voice flat, almost devoid of emotion.

“I’m busy right now, I can’t make it back.

You’ve always had a choice. If you don’t want a divorce but you want to *live*, then figure it out on your own.

And by the way, if you encounter a murderer, call the police. Calling me won’t do anything.”

With that, I hung up.

I knew she must be utterly stunned. From childhood, I had always indulged her, never letting her suffer even the slightest slight.

In school, she was the enviable goody-two-shoes, while I was the tough-as-nails girl everyone feared. Whenever she was bullied by the queen bees, I would step out and challenge them to square off against me.

“Cassidy, you saved me! You’re the best sister ever!” Each time, she’d look at me with tear-filled eyes.

But who knew? Turns out, a 'good sister' was easily disposable when a 'good husband' was on the line.

The most ironic part was, when I was in prison, one of my cellmates was one of those very queen bees from back then.

When she heard the full story, she was furious on my behalf:

“Seriously, is Brooke out of her mind? Giving up her own sister for *that* kind of man?

You did so much for her back then, and this is what you get? It’s not worth it, Cassidy.”

No, of course it wasn't worth it.

Lost in thought, I walked back home. The moment I opened the door, I was hit by a full-blown verbal assault from Mom and Dad.

“You ungrateful girl! Where the hell have you been? Do you have any idea your sister almost *died* just now?”

I thought they were mad at me for being indifferent, but their next words nearly made my jaw drop:

“And you had the nerve to tell your sister to call the police? Are you insane?”

“If the police take Julian away, how do you expect to make it up to Brooke and her family?”

“Doesn’t Leo need his father? Doesn’t Brooke need her husband? Are you just jealous that your sister has a family?”

They went on and on, their faces red with fury, all condemning me for speaking without thinking, for trying to break up the family.

It was laughable. They’re retired educators, for crying out loud, yet their minds are still so stubbornly stuck in the past.

Why hadn't I noticed their bizarre behavior in my previous life?

Back then, after I was jailed, the old couple would visit me every visiting day, just to scream at me.

They accused me of ruining Brooke’s home, of destroying their precious Leo.

Eventually, I refused to see them anymore. But their emotional abuse, it was relentless. It seeped into every corner of my mind. I couldn't understand why, after I had protected them and accidentally killed that piece of trash, they still considered *him* the source of their happiness.

And me? The killer who destroyed it all?

I didn't get it. I tossed and turned every night, consumed by sorrow. Even Raven kept telling me it was my family who had problems, not me, but I couldn't accept that the family I’d protected and loved with all my might for a lifetime would collectively turn on me so cruelly.

In the end, I had a mental breakdown and bit off my tongue, dying by suicide. No one came to see me, even at the very end.

Since you care so much about that man, and so highly value the 'integrity' of the family,

Then this life, I’ll grant your wish.

I sneered. “I didn’t tell her to call the police. I just said if she’s in danger, she should know to call them. What’s wrong with that?

Besides, she still had enough strength to complain to you, so she’s clearly fine, isn’t she? Why are you two so worked up about it now?”

“Fine?” My dad’s temper flared again. “She’s only ‘fine’ because *we* went and knelt before him!

You child, how can you be so cold-blooded and selfish!”

“Alright, alright, Leo’s asleep, everyone quiet down.” Just then, Brooke’s bedroom door opened, and she walked out, dark circles under her swollen eyes.

Her face was still bruised and puffy; she’d clearly taken a beating.

The moment Leo’s name was mentioned, my parents instantly fell silent, as if their grandchild was royalty in this house.

Ridiculous. I rolled my eyes.

I'm not trying to be dark, but that kid of Brooke's? Mark my words, he's going to end up in serious trouble, probably get himself killed.