Chapter 2

I cried out, "I don't know why she killed herself. I didn't even talk to her that day. Why won't you believe me? I'm your daughter, too."

I struggled weakly, feeling the restraints around me tighten even more. I begged, "Please, just trust me this once, okay?

"I'm your real daughter. Just believe me this once, please."

I really don't know why Sophia killed herself.

Ever since Sophia fell into a coma, I had explained myself a thousand times, but no one believed a single word I said.

It was all a scheme orchestrated by Sophia.

Too bad my family never loved me enough to even bother checking if I was telling the truth.

They loved Sophia above everything else. Even when she lied, they'd just brush it off as some immature mischief.

My mom said, "Lilith, no matter how jealous you are, you can't just hurt Sophia like this. Can't you see all she's done for you?"

My mom's face was streaked with tears as she gripped my hand, her nails biting into my flesh. She hadn't slept for days since Sophia's suicide. Her eyes were shadowed with exhaustion, and strands of gray hair had started to show.

She said, "Don't you remember how she saved you from those beatings at the orphanage and rushed you to the hospital? Even after she learned you were our real daughter, she never tried to steal your spot in this family."

My mom cupped my face in her hands, her tears splashing onto my skin.

She choked out, "Lilith, if you don't tell me why she did it, Sophia could die. Please, just tell me. I'm begging you."

That drop of tear burned cold, just like her heart.

Only Sophia could melt their frozen hearts.

They were the perfect family, after all.

I blinked, trying to focus on my mom's face, but my mind went blank. I opened my mouth, but I just couldn't say anything.

In the end, all I managed was, "I don't know."

A bitter smile tugged at my lips.

Honestly, if I could go back, I would make sure I never crossed paths with any of them at the orphanage that day.

Everyone thought I was living the dream: rolling in cash, never running out of new clothes to wear.

But for me, it was just like escaping a hyena's jaws only to land in a lion's den.

Whenever something went missing at home, my family said I was the thief. If Sophia's dress got ripped at a party, they blamed me for tearing it. When Bradon was kidnapped, they accused me of selling him out.

When my mom fainted, they said I just stood by and refused to help. Every single thing, they pinned it all on me.

Bradon finally lost it. He grabbed me by the throat, glaring at me viciously. He snapped, "Who do you think you are? Everything you have, from food to clothes, Sophia gave it all to you.

"You should be grateful she even let you be her guinea pig. You should thank her."