Chapter 2

I stood there in a daze, staring at the closed door for what felt like ages.

Back in my previous life, after my mom died, Tracy showed up and became my stepmom. She started off all fake and friendly, trying to act like she cared about me. But once she had her own kid, she changed.

She talked Dad into cutting off my allowance, wouldn't even let my teacher help me after school, and made sure I only got their scraps to eat, if I was lucky.

Most days, I'd be so hungry I'd end up rummaging through the trash looking for something—anything—to fill my stomach.

Constant hunger wrecked my health and my grades. I ended up flunking out, not even making it into community college.

Dad and Tracy would mock me, curse me, and dump me at home to care for my little brother all by myself.

Whenever Tracy and Dad came back from partying all night, they'd find fault with whatever I did. My body was full of old and new bruises.

And the brother I'd raised for years? He turned out just as mean as Tracy and Dad, always chucking stuff at my head for fun.

Nobody cared what happened to me. The only person who ever loved me was already gone.

Maybe my misery was my karma for Mom's death.

*****

After Mom left safely, Dad staggered home the next day, stinking of cheap perfume.

When Dad finally realized Mom had left for good, all he did was let out a snort—like he couldn't care less.

He thought Mom was just making a fuss.

After all, without this family, and no job, how was a woman like her supposed to make it?

On the third day, Dad got served the divorce papers.

He scrawled his name with a sneer. "Well, she's got guts now. Let's see how far she'll actually go."

With Mom gone, there was nothing holding Dad back anymore.

He dialed Tracy right in front of me, switching to a honeyed tone. "Hey Tracy, that nag is finally history. Move in now.

"Yeah, I've already dumped all her junk. Decorate however you want—I'll buy you brand new stuff."

When Mom left, she only packed a few clothes. All the purses and jewelry Dad had bought for her were still sitting, untouched, in the drawer.

I snuck those away and stashed them in my room.

Barely a few days had passed before Tracy moved right in.

She barked orders at the workers, making them carry Mom's beloved light blue sofa out of the living room and downstairs.

The cross-stitch Mom had lovingly made was ripped off the wall and tossed in the trash. Tracy declared Mom's potted green plants were just taking up space and had the workers haul them away too.

When Tracy saw me, she flashed a warm, practiced smile. "Eileen, it's been so long. From now on, we're family."

I cocked my head, throwing Tracy a smile. "But didn't Dad say Mom would come back in a couple days?"

Tracy stiffened for a moment, then quickly put on her best fake smile and reached out like she wanted to pat me on the head.

I slipped away from her hand without even thinking.

Her hand dangled in the air before she awkwardly pulled it back, giving a dry laugh. "Your mom said she's done with you and your dad. She's not coming back."

"No way." I shook my head. "Dad said he made Mom mad—it's his fault, and he'll make things right and win her back. Just recently, I even saw him get Mom a big diamond ring."

Tracy's expression soured instantly.

"Quit your nonsense, kid. Your mom doesn't want you anymore," she spat.

The very next moment, I grabbed her sleeve and yelled, my anger boiling over. "I don't like you. You can't talk about my mom like that."

I was grabbing her so hard, her breasts nearly spilled out from her low-cut top.

Freaking out, Tracy practically ripped me off her, and I crashed down onto the floor, sobbing at the top of my lungs.

"You're a meanie. Mom didn't abandon me. I'll make Dad kick you out," I screamed.

Tracy completely lost it, shouting, "You little brat!"

Just then, Dad walked in.

With a grim look, Dad glanced over at Tracy while I was bawling so hard I could barely catch my breath. I sobbed, "Dad, Tracy's being mean to me."

He scooped me up, dabbing at my tears with a tissue, soothing me as best he could.

Tracy stood off to the side, her face was stormy, but she had to hold back and couldn't say a thing.

When push came to shove, Dad would always stand up for me. Too bad in my previous life, he was crazy over my brother instead.

I kept up my fake crying for ages until I finally drifted off to sleep in Dad's arms.

He laid me down in my room, then went off to join Tracy in the next room.

I pulled out my phone and opened up the surveillance app.

On the screen, Tracy and Dad were already arguing.

"What is this? Didn't you say you only loved me, that you were done with Sandra?" Tracy yelled.

"Why are you still spending money on her? Why do you even care about Eileen? You can fool everyone else, but don't try to fool yourself," she snapped.

She smashed a brand-new vase on the floor. "What's wrong with me? You do all that and I'm not even allowed to say anything? Now that you've got me, you don't cherish me anymore, huh? Even after Sandra's gone, you still can't let her go?"

Even though Tracy's voice was loud and sharp, to me, it was lovely.

This was just the start.

I wouldn't leave this house. I wanted to stay and watch this home crumble.

Maybe then, Mom would finally feel vindicated.