Chapter 1
After Nina Lane's third suicide attempt landed her in the hospital, my family finally had enough and sent me to trial.
They were convinced I had been secretly bullying her, driving her again and again to the edge.
They accused me of bullying and put me on trial.
If I were found guilty, I would be erased immediately.
If I were found innocent, then my family, including Nina, would be cursed with sickness and poverty, losing everything they've ever had.
Standing on the witness stand, I looked at my parents and brother glaring at me with hatred, as if they couldn't wait for me to die. I couldn't help but let out a bitter smile.
They had no idea that I was the one who had been bullied all along.
*****
The day after Nina was hospitalized for her suicide attempt, my family dragged me to the courtroom.
I was forced to stand in the center of the high, cold courtroom. It wasn't even cold, yet a chill crept through my whole body.
The icy metal cuffs bit into my wrists and ankles, making me shudder.
I struggled in confusion and fear, but it was useless.
My parents and brother stood at the plaintiff's bench, watching me with frozen faces.
They had absolutely zero pity in their eyes as if I were some dead, filthy creature.
This was the Universal Tribunal, where the judge was an AI said to be the fairest in the entire galaxy.
The trial was broadcast live. Billions of viewers tuned in, serving as the public jury to witness my possible execution.
A few minutes before the trial began, my father walked toward me, clutching a letter.
"Sophie," he said coldly. "I'm asking you one last time—have you always been bullying Nina?"
He stared at me, face like stone, barely holding back his rage.
He continued, "As long as you admit it, turn yourself in, and confess online that you're nothing but a rotten seed, I might spare your life.
"Otherwise, you'll be erased."
I knew this was the last chance my father was giving me.
But I hadn't bullied Nina.
She was the apple of everyone's eye. I could barely keep up with trying to please her.
How could I have dared to bully her?
In despair, I said, "Dad, I really didn't do it."
Not hearing the answer he wanted, he threw the letter straight at my face.
He said, "Still lying? Nina wrote it herself in her suicide note. It was you, you rotten wretch, who kept tormenting her in secret.
"She couldn't take it anymore, that's why she killed herself. If I'd known you'd turn out this vile, I should've just left you to rot in that village."
It felt like someone had just driven a sword straight through my heart.
He was right about one thing.
If I had known this was what awaited me after coming home, maybe I should've stayed and rotted in that village.
My mother, who had been standing behind him, couldn't hold herself back anymore. She stormed up and slapped me hard right across the face.
She had always been gentle. She'd never lifted a hand before.
That slap just told me how she truly despised me and loved Nina beyond reason.
"Sophie, you're absolutely disgusting," she spat. "Do you remember how much Nina adored you? The day we brought you home, she even baked you a cake herself and nearly burned her hands doing it.
"She was so kind, and yet you tried time and again to hurt her. You deserve nothing less than death."
My mother never knew that cake was the start of my nightmares.
I couldn't hold it in anymore, and a tear slipped down my cheek.
But instead of pity, it only drew more hatred from them.
My brother, Lucas, stepped forward and slapped me twice without hesitation.
"You lying little snake," he sneered. "Keep pretending all you want. If you won't confess, then go face the court and wait for your erasure."