Chapter 4

"I can smell her every single day. Every time I see her, I think of that disgusting face."

"I would rather have died with her than ever given birth to this creature!" Mom screamed.

"She's just proof. A living reminder of how filthy and worthless I am."

A constant reminder. All I was—just a constant reminder of her disgrace.

I couldn't take it anymore. I dashed out of the room like I'd lost it, running straight to the villa's roof.

I wanted to die. If I died, Mom wouldn't have to suffer anymore, and Colin and Tyne wouldn't have to put up with me.

If I died, it would all be over.

I stood at the edge of the rooftop, the cold wind stinging my face. Everything below looked so tiny.

I closed my eyes. One more step. Just one step.

But my legs were shaking so badly I could barely stand. In the end, the fear of dying made me back away.

I was terrified of death. And even more terrified that I'd never get to see Mom again.

I collapsed onto the rooftop, wrapped my arms around my knees, and sobbed like a kid the whole world had given up on.

I hated myself. I hated how pathetic I was. I didn't even have the courage to end it.

All I could do was scrape by as a walking reminder of her disgrace, making life hell for Mom—and for myself.

Dad finally lost his patience. After several failed blackmail attempts, he resorted to the most drastic measure.

Late that night, the villa's alarms blared. I jerked awake to the cries of pain from the bodyguards and the sound of stuff crashing downstairs.

My heart shot straight into my throat.

I peeked outside my door and spotted a shadow sneaking up toward the second floor. It was Dad.

He held a cold, gleaming blade in his hand, his eyes burning with fury as he spit curses nonstop. "You filthy whore! How dare you try to screw me out of my money. Tonight, I'm gonna drag you straight to hell with me."

Dad was heading straight for Mom's room. My mind went completely blank, and fear turned my blood to ice.

He kicked open Mom's door.

Mom shot up in bed, startled awake. When she saw who was standing in the doorway, she froze.

Her eyes went wide with terror, her mouth hanging open, but no sound came out.

She was frozen in place on the bed, unable to move a muscle.

The nightmare from her past was playing out all over again.

"Surprised to see me? Yeah, you thought I was gone for good—well, I'm back." Dad sneered.

He brandished the knife, stalking toward Mom with a vicious, twisted grin on his face. "You really thought you could run and be safe here? Let me tell you, you'll be stuck with me for the rest of your pathetic life."

Dad was so close, about to leap right onto Mom as she lay there.

In that split second, every ounce of fear disappeared from my mind.

Somehow, adrenaline kicked in—I hurled myself at him from behind with everything I had.

Dad got blindsided, lost his bDadce, and hit the ground hard.

He scrambled to his feet, red-faced and raging. The instant Dad spotted me, his features twisted into something monstrous.

"You little bastard! Trying to screw up my plans?" Dad snarled. "Fine, I'll take you out first!"

He spun around, howling, and charged straight at me, knife gleaming in his fist.

I couldn't dodge in time. He drove that icy blade straight into my gut.

Pain ripped through every nerve in my body.

My strength vanished in an instant—my legs buckled and I crumpled to the ground.