Chapter 2

My parents's current success was entirely thanks to more than ten years of relentless searching for their daughter, which drew public attention.

If I blew this up, nobody was walking away clean.

Just as I finished speaking, a slap crashed down on my face.

My mind buzzed from the hit.

My dad's voice thundered in my ears. "So you think you're tough now? Just got home and already threatening your parents?"

He turned to Henry Lambert. "Take her to the basement. Make her reflect on her actions. She can come out when she's learned her lesson."

Then he added, "Don't forget, we gave you your life. You really think I can't make sure you never make it in this city again?"

Never make it in this city?

Wasn't that exactly what they did to me in my previous life?

They crushed every dream I ever had. They forced me to live in Margaret's shadow for my entire life.

I even threatened to end my own life, just hoping they'd show me a little pity.

All I got in return was being constantly pushed down and suppressed.

And when I finally died, they thought I was bad luck and refused to even claim my body.

This time, I was truly exhausted. All I wanted was to leave.

But why couldn't they just let me go?

I got shoved into the basement, locked up against my will.

To my surprise, later that night, my mom actually showed up.

She looked at me and let out a long, weary sigh, her whole demeanor screaming helplessness.

She said, "That's just how your dad is. Try not to let it get to you.

"Margaret's still just a kid, and we've totally spoiled her. Plus, she's always felt insecure about where she came from, so she's scared of losing anything.

"You're her big sister. You should cut her some slack."

In my previous life, my mom had come to me with the same words.

Back then, I was so desperate for any scrap of affection from my family.

I believed that if I could just please Margaret, sooner or later this family would finally accept me.

So I willingly became Margaret's little lackey, bending over backwards to do whatever she wanted.

But just bossing me around wasn't enough to feed her ego anymore.

It was all because I was a natural at the piano.

Margaret went to our parents, sobbing, "I've only ever learned this one thing in my whole life, and Colette just breezes past me. Isn't she basically saying I don't deserve any of this?

"Yeah, I'm just an imposter who took her spot. How could I ever deserve to compete with her for any of this?

"But I just can't bear to lose Mom and Dad. If I don't have them, I might as well be dead."

After that, Margaret went completely off the rails, threatening to end it all and making a dramatic suicide attempt.

My parents, furious, smashed my piano right in front of me.

But that wasn't the end. They even told the bodyguards to break my hand, just to make sure I'd never play again.

Mom said, "Colette, don't blame us for being so tough. Margaret is our daughter too, and she's always felt insecure. She can't take that kind of pressure.

"You're the Lawson family's heiress. Even if you lost a hand, you'd still live comfortably.

"Try to be more mature, and stop always clashing with your sister."

Back then, I still held onto the foolish hope that maybe, just maybe, they'd finally see me as their daughter.

If I was good enough, obedient enough, would they ever truly acknowledge me as their daughter?

But then, when I finally got my dream offer, I wanted to celebrate with my parents over dinner.

But I forgot that it was also Margaret's birthday.

We had just sat down at the table when the phone rang. It was the police.

Margaret was standing on the edge of the thirtieth floor, ready to jump.

My parents panicked and drove straight there.

When they arrived, all they heard was Margaret sobbing, "Mom, Dad, I can't keep living like this, always on edge.

"This family will always belong to Colette. Sooner or later, I'll just be kicked out.

"Honestly, I might as well just end it now."

Mom's legs gave out, and she collapsed to the floor, sobbing and begging, "Margaret, please come down. I can't take this.

"Just come down safely, and I'll give you anything you want. I'm begging you."

As soon as she finished, Margaret suddenly pointed at me. "I want her crippled, so she'll never be able to fight me for anything again. That's the only way I'll ever feel safe."

My parents fell silent.

Margaret lost it again, stepping closer to the edge.

She sobbed, "You guys are the real family. Nobody in this world loves me. I'm just going to end it all right now."

My parents pleaded, "We promise, just please don't do anything crazy."

I looked at these people in disbelief, unable to process what was happening.

The bodyguards behind me stepped forward and ruthlessly broke my arms and legs.

Through my cries of despair, my parents coldly looked away, not even flinching.

Shaking off the memories, I realized Mom was still right in front of me.

She rubbed her brow, looking annoyed. "Why aren't you saying anything?

"Colette, I remember you used to be such a sweet, sensible kid. When did you turn so headstrong and difficult?"

I still didn't say a word.

Mom finally lost her patience. "Margaret was right. After running around out there for so many years, you've picked up all their bad habits.

"I guess I was stupid to ever expect anything from you."

The face before me was so familiar from my memories, but now it was warped with cruelty.

Honestly, I just found it ridiculous.

Once upon a time, I was the apple of their eye.

Swallowing down the pain, I kept my voice steady as I spoke. "I'm really serious about breaking things off.

"You can see it. Margaret will never accept me. Why keep forcing ourselves to live together, just making each other miserable?"