Chapter 1

I was the resident actress in our small town.

Whenever a new teacher showed up at the school, my job was to burst into tears in front of them.

"Please don't leave. We really want to study," I begged.

When their hearts melted, I'd lead them off to different corners of the town.

One day, another beautiful new teacher appeared in our small town.

This time, she was assigned to stay at my house.

*****

When I entered the door, Ciara Gagnon was already awake, her eyes empty as she stared up at the patched-up ceiling.

I carefully set the bowl beside the bed. "Mom, it's time to eat," I said softly.

But in the next second, Ciara slammed the bowl onto the floor. "Get out!" she snapped.

"You little bitch, you're only twelve. How did you end up like this?" she asked.

She continued, "You're no better than those animals! You're—"

I frowned at her, seeing how hysterical she was. "It's just my job," I pouted discontentedly.

"You're so mean now. You're nothing like my mom," I added quietly.

Ciara just stared at me, blank and confused. She didn't understand what I meant by that.

Of course, she didn't get it. I was the best actress in this small town.

Our town was poor. Teachers never stayed long, and no woman wanted to marry a man here.

Whenever a new teacher arrived, my job was to cry. "Please don't leave. I really want to study," I begged.

When their hearts softened, I'd guide them to different corners of the town.

Every time it worked, the family that got a new wife would slip my dad, Brody Conroy, some cash.

Then Brody would go to the store at the edge of town, buy me candy, and tell me I was a good kid.

I thought it would be great if new teachers came every day.

That way, I'd get candy every single day.

The day before yesterday, when Ciara showed up, Brody just stared at her for a long time. That night, I saw him hand a wad of cash to the mayor, Connor Rosson.

"Connor, you know Ciara looks just like my late wife. It's like she was sent to fill the hole in my heart," Brody said.

"Annie's getting older. She needs a mom," he added.

Connor fiddled with the money, looking troubled. "Brody, you know about my son's condition."

Connor's son was born with complications that left him mentally slow. He was already sixteen and still hadn't married.

Brody's voice suddenly went cold and sharp. "Connor, if I ever tell anyone what you did to Annie..."

Annie was my name.

I tilted my head, trying to understand what he meant.

I always thought Connor was a good guy.

Whenever I showed him the birthmark on my thigh, he'd give me a lollipop as a reward.

Connor's face went sour, but he gave in eventually.

"Alright, you're lucky this time," he said.

*****

The next morning, Brody actually gave me an egg before I left for school.

"Annie, do you want a mom? If you do, you need to bring Ms. Gagnon home today," he said.

I knew exactly what he meant. So after school, I grabbed Ciara's leg and started crying.

"Ms. Gagnon, my dad is really thankful that you came to teach in our small town," I said.

I continued, "He made dinner for us tonight. Please come home with me and eat with us."

Ciara believed me. When we got to my house, she drank the glass of water I handed her.

*****

When she woke up again, there was a chain around her leg, just like all the other women here.

That was when I found out that I finally had a mom.

The other kids couldn't call me the kid without a mom anymore.

I really liked Ciara. When she first arrived, the kids kept teasing me for not having a mother.

Back then, she stepped in front of me and protected me. "Hey, what are you doing?" she asked those kids.

At that time, I wished to have a mom like her.

Now, I tiptoed closer to Ciara. I smiled and whispered in her ear.

I said, "Ms. Gagnon, I'm so happy. You're my mom now.

"Did you know? You look so much like my real mom."

But the next second, Ciara grabbed me tightly.

"Where's your mom?" she demanded agitatedly.

Somehow, I saw that her eyes were full of hope.

"She's gone," I said softly, staring at the floor. "She died three years ago, when she was giving birth to my brother."

Ciara looked stunned for a moment, and then her grip on my neck started to tighten.

"Go to hell," she muttered under her breath.

"You brat! You should've never been born," she spat.

I thought she had gone completely crazy. I hit her arms in a panic as I struggled for air.

"Let me go. Help," I choked out.

My face was flushed red, and I was gasping desperately for air.

Suddenly, the door burst open with a loud bang.