Chapter 2

Why?

Why were Mom and Dad looking at me like that?

Wasn't I their daughter, too?

I set my phone down, feeling completely lost. Even the fans in the chat could tell something was seriously off with me.

[Who dance in memory of a dead person on their own birthday? Is there some juicy gossip behind this?]

[Oh my god, her expression looked absolutely shattered while she was dancing. She seemed so heartbroken.]

[It's supposed to be Serena's birthday, but it doesn't feel festive at all.]

My gaze wandered, feeling lost and helpless, but I kept telling myself—this was the last mission. If I finished it, maybe, just maybe, I'd finally belong with Mom, Dad, Ryan, and Simon.

All those years of trying. All the pain I'd swallowed. It all came down to today.

I gritted my teeth and forced a pale smile.

But Ryan didn't even bother to hide his contempt. He slammed a pen and a stack of blank paper down in front of me, then gave the camera a cold, mocking smile. "My dear sister, you really ought to be thankful for everything you've got.

"Now, right here on livestream, I want you to copy out scriptures from the Bible. 100 times. And mean every word."

The fans and the crew were stunned, their shock written all over their faces.

I met Ryan's mocking gaze, feeling totally powerless as I tried to reason with him. "Ryan, it's my birthday today. There are fans waiting for me to celebrate. Isn't this a bit much?"

His face darkened, his voice dripping with venom. "Serena, you know exactly what you did. You had the guts to take Lily's place. The least you can do is pray for her. Mourn her. How can you go on living your lavish life while my Lily is gone forever?"

Ryan and I were actually fraternal twins.

We looked so much alike that people could hardly tell us apart.

When I first returned to the Monroe family, I thought I'd found a real connection with him.

I tried to get close to him, tried to please him.

But the way he looked at me—his eyes held nothing but pure, unadulterated loathing.

I choked back a sob, my voice lost, and glanced desperately at Simon, hoping for some support, but he just stood there, silent.

My husband. The man I thought I loved.

He was absently tracing the pinky ring Lily had given him, his tone as cold as ice. "Just do what Ryan says. Don't make a scene on camera."

"Just do what Ryan says." The words played on a loop in my head.

My hands trembled as I tuned out the chat blowing up with questions, mindlessly copying the scriptures I'd memorized ages ago, line after line.

All to complete this mission of obedience, I forced myself to write every last line, no matter how much it hurt.

The camera suddenly zoomed in on me, and my hand was shaking uncontrollably, laying my humiliation bare for everyone to see.

Simon motioned for a cushion to be brought over.

He stood next to me, his voice cold. "Serena, if you truly care for Lily's memory, you'll do this properly.

"Get on your knees. Then write."

Get on my knees?

Get on my knees!

I looked up at Simon, disbelief and humiliation twisting my face, but he just stood there, cold and unyielding, insisting I get down on my knees.

[What the hell is going on? Why does Serena have to kneel and copy out scriptures from the Bible?]

[Who does this on their birthday? Is this family insane?]

[This family is seriously messed up. Are they cursed or something?]