Chapter 3

Eugenia said, "Veronica, Annie's biggest issue right now is that she's way too self-centered and just can't connect with other people's feelings.

"That's pretty much because of you. You've got your own emotional problems and never learned to be grateful, so your attitude rubbed off on her while you were raising her.

"Sure, your stepdad abused you, but at least he gave you and your mom a roof over your heads."

Veronica felt icy all over, her hands and feet numb as she stared at Bud, eyes reddened with tears.

Veronica asked, "Bud, do you really have to share every bitter detail of my childhood trauma with her?

"Are you treating me this way just to prove where your loyalties lie?"

Veronica finally couldn't hold back anymore. The tears broke free, streaming down her cheeks in big, heavy drops.

Bud said sternly, "Veronica, why are you making this so dramatic? Eugenia and I are really trying to help you out. If you can't move past these issues, it's just going to affect Annie's treatment.

"If you can't forgive your stepdad, that's your choice, but maybe you shouldn't see Annie anymore.

"I'm not letting you ruin her whole future because you can't get over your own problems."

Veronica had fought for her life when giving birth to Annie. She'd almost died. To her, Annie was her everything. She would never accept being seperated with Annie.

When Bud said something, he meant it. Swallowing her revulsion, Veronica forced herself to address her stepdad.

Everyone looked completely satisfied, while Veronica felt like her heart was torn to pieces. Surrounded by people who were hostile to her, she slipped away into Annie's bedroom to visit her.

Veronica said, "Annie, do you ever feel like your mom failed you?

"Maybe I was wrong to bring you into a world where people look down on you and push you away."

Annie just sat there, lost in her own world, staring absentmindedly out the window. She was not even sparing Veronica a glance.

With her eyes still red from crying, Veronica stumbled back to the guest room. Half-asleep, she suddenly heard the door creak open. Before she could even react, someone was already on top of her.

A rough, calloused hand clamped tight over Veronica's mouth, while the other ripped her nightgown clean off and started shoving impatiently between her thighs.

Veronica's stepfather, Otis Blair, sneered, "If you weren't so damn pretty, do you think I'd ever marry your dying mother?

"Never thought you'd land yourself a sugar daddy. I went through hell behind bars all because of you.

"Now that your rich boyfriend's sick of you, it's my turn, right? That woman promised me that if I wreck you, I'll get enough cash to live the high life for the rest of my days."

Veronica knew exactly who Otis meant, but at that moment, she had no time to think about it.

Her nightgown was torn to pieces, and the reek from Otis made her want to throw up. In a burst of desperate strength, she snatched the vase from the bedside and smashed it over his head.

Blood spattered everywhere, giving her the split-second chance to break free and scramble for the door. She hammered on the master bedroom door, frantic and breathless.

Bud opened the door with a scowl, clearly annoyed, and as soon as Veronica saw him, she broke down, sobbing uncontrollably.

"Bud, help me!" Veronica cried out.

For a moment, it felt just like the old days. Bud's face softened a little, and his hand hesitated mid-air, almost reaching out toward Veronica's shoulder.

"Eugenia put Otis up to molesting me!" Veronica burst out, her voice trembling with terror.

Bud's hand hung awkwardly in the air before he yanked it back, his brow deeply furrowed as he immediately rushed to back Eugenia up.

Bud shot back, "Lies. Eugenia would never be that kind of person.

"You'll do whatever it takes just to get my attention, won't you?"

Eugenia started crying again, clinging to Bud, acting totally stunned.

Eugenia cried out, "I don't even know your stepfather. How could I ever make him do something like that?

"I was just trying to help you work through your issues, and you repay me by framing me for something so awful? I can't stay here anymore."

Eugenia was sniffling and sobbing, while Otis stumbled out, clutching his head, clearly trying to stir up more trouble.

He said, "Veronica, I'm just trying to apologize to you.

"But you can't just use me as a prop to score points with Bud."

The whole scheme was riddled with flaws, but for Bud, who already doubted her, it was flawless.

Bud's expression was ice-cold—he was done with all pretenses of patience.

He snapped sharply, "Veronica, rotten roots make rotten fruit. The way you act is doing nothing but harm to Annie's recovery.

"Looks like I really do need to teach you a lesson about respect."

Veronica shook her head as she sobbed, but her tears didn't touch Bud at all.

A person at the training center said, "What a joke. You used to act all high and mighty as some rich lady, but now you're just a pathetic mutt, totally at our mercy.

"People like you—always looking down on everyone else—are the worst. Don't blame us for putting you in your place.