Chapter 3

After that, Mom often brought Liam home.

She tutored him, held mock debates.

The villa we lived in practically became Liam's second home.

Their relationship grew closer, almost like mother and son.

Until one day, Mom suddenly suggested adopting him, asking him to move in with us.

"His family is poor, and his dorm at school is terrible. Let him stay here."

Liam nervously rubbed his cheap pen.

A forced, ingratiating grin spread across his face.

"I'll be very quiet."

"My grades are good, I'll definitely repay Ms. Hayes for her kindness."

"Just give me a chance, and I'll dedicate my life to repaying your kindness!"

Looking at those seemingly sincere eyes, I suddenly remembered.

Years ago, Mom huddled under a bridge with me, looking helpless and desperate.

Once again, my heart softened.

For a long time, I treated Liam like a younger brother.

I cooked for him, bought him books.

I taught him the ropes of city living.

He told me I was the kindest sister in the world.

He said that when he became a successful lawyer, he would protect me forever.

And he didn't disappoint Mom's expectations.

He successfully scored high on the bar exam.

And on the celebratory, stormy night that followed, he violated me.

Mom was away on a business trip that day, so I bought some food and drinks to celebrate with Liam.

I drank until midnight, then collapsed, dizzy, on the sofa.

When I woke up, I saw Liam's twisted face above mine.

My body was tearing apart with excruciating pain.

In that moment, I completely broke down.

I struggled desperately, grabbing the ashtray from the table and smashing it against his head.

I hurled all the food and drinks from the table, shattering everything.

Liam clutched his bleeding forehead, watching my resistance with cold eyes.

"Aubrey, stop pretending. Who are you trying to seduce, dressed like that?"

Between me and my innocence, he chose to destroy me without hesitation.

Unable to bear any of it, I called the police and cried to Mom on the phone.

She rushed back that night, frowning at my disheveled state.

"Aubrey, don't make a scene. This getting out would be bad for your reputation."

Liam also fell to his knees before Mom.

"I know I wronged Aubrey, but I was drunk."

"She was the one who started touching me, and I just lost control."

"You're the best lawyer!"

"I have a bright future ahead of me. It can't be ruined over something so trivial. Just help me this one time, and I'll be like your own son!"

I was only in my early twenties then.

An age when I still believed in justice, and believed my mother would ensure I got it.

I filed a lawsuit with the court.

I wanted to send that monster in human skin to prison.

But reality quickly taught me a harsh lesson.

Mom, to uphold her image of impartiality, chose to testify as a witness for Liam, against me.

In court, Mom stood in the witness box, dressed in her lawyer's robe, her face expressionless.

"This is my daughter. She generally has a very chaotic private life."

"I hope the jury will look at the facts objectively."

"Liam is an honest, decent young man. That night, to my knowledge, Aubrey Hayes was the one who invited him to drink."

"I don't deny Liam was in the wrong, but in my eyes, this was a tragedy caused by seduction. Aubrey Hayes not only failed to reflect on her actions, but she also severely injured Liam."

Mom even revealed in court that I had expressed interest in Liam on more than one occasion.

She knew saying that would hurt me.

But she didn't care.

She only wanted to maintain her saint-like image in this high-profile case, even if it meant sacrificing her own daughter.

And what about me?

What was I?

I sat in the plaintiff's box, weeping in disbelief.

My ears buzzed with the contemptuous whispers from the public gallery.

4

Mom continued to organize her case files.

"Aubrey Hayes, don't you understand yet?"

"The law is about evidence. The fact that you gave Liam a concussion is undeniable."

"To ruin a young man's future over this-you're being selfish."

"I told you, I am your mother, but first and foremost, I am a legal professional."

No.

I couldn't bear it, the mother who I'd relied on my entire life.

Her mind was, at every moment, focused on protecting her pristine professional image.

I started screaming in court, becoming hysterical.

I almost frantically accused the woman who gave birth to me and raised me.

During recess, I rushed up to demand why.

When the verdict came down, I lunged forward, wanting to tear apart Liam's smug face.

I wrote countless statements.

I shed endless tears.

But all I got in return was a judgment.

Mom was too clever.

She used legal loopholes to turn rape into a mutual fight, and self-defense into aggravated assault.

Her expertise, her status, her understanding of the law.

They allowed her to twist the truth, making black look white, with terrifying ease.

In the end, Liam was released on the spot due to "insufficient evidence."

And I, for severely injuring another person, was personally sent to prison by Mom, sentenced to five years.

I spoke calmly, but Brenda's eyes were red.

She bit her lip and asked, "What happened after that?"

After that, I met Brenda, my cellmate who had late-stage cancer.

She was the one who taught me that sometimes, death requires more courage than living.

We had promised each other that when we were released, we would live together.

But fate had other plans for me. Just a few days ago, Brenda was confirmed to have terminal cancer. In immense pain, she begged me to end her suffering. After some hesitation, I granted her wish.

Three days passed quickly.

On the morning of the execution, a light rain fell over Havenwood.

I changed into a clean prison uniform.

Brenda stood clutching the cell bars, weeping like a lost child.

I smiled at her, my tone as casual as if we were parting after a chat.

"Go back inside. Don't worry about me."

When I walked out through the main gate, a familiar black car was parked across the street.

It was Mom's car.

The door opened, and she stepped out, holding a bouquet of sunflowers.