Chapter 2

I always thought I was Lottie, the girl nobody wanted, the one without a mom or dad.

Carter used to say that only the kids with parents up in the town got to eat real food. Bastards like me, with no family, were left to pick through garbage.

If we were useless, we didn't even get the garbage. When we were starving and barely alive, they'd throw us out for the dogs to eat.

If I had parents, would people stop beating me? Would I never have to strip naked for their photos again?

I glanced at the woman nervously, then at the man beside her, and hesitantly called out, "M-Mom? D-Dad?"

Her hand was still stretched out toward me.

I slowly raised my grimy hand and gently brushed her fingertips.

Her touch was warm.

A smile broke across my face, and I couldn't help but want to step closer, to hold onto that warmth.

Andrew's voice thundered, "How dare you call them Mom and Dad? You nearly sold Lily."

Andrew stormed over and slapped me hard across the face.

My ears were ringing, and before I could even react, I begged, instinctively, "I'm sorry. I won't do it again, please..."

I was trembling all over, pleading desperately.

"Andrew!" Lily cried, tears streaming down her face as she threw herself in front of me to protect me. "Please don't hit Charlotte. She was manipulated. She didn't know anything."

Andrew looked at Lily, his heart aching as he gently cupped her cheeks and wiped away her tears. "Lily, you're still too kind. Even after all that's happened, you still stand up for her.

"You're twins. How could Charlotte end up so messed up inside?"

After everything, it was Lily who brought me home.

I was dirty and smelled awful, but she bustled around, getting everything ready so I could take a bath.

As I sat in the bathtub, the water slowly rising around me, memories came flooding back.

Carter had shoved me into the freezing river because I hadn't managed to trick anyone.

Water filled my mouth and nose, and no matter how hard I struggled, he wouldn't let go.

Just as I was about to suffocate, he yanked me up by my hair.

Shadowy figures closed in around me, ripping my clothes apart. The pain down there was so sharp, it felt like knives cutting through me.

I had no idea what they were doing. The pain was unbearable, burned into my memory forever.

"It hurts. Let me go," I screamed, panic flooding my voice. I shoved Lily away as if I'd been scalded, my arms flailing uncontrollably.

Lily cried out, clutching her face in pain.

The door burst open from the outside.

Andrew was the first to rush in, with my mom and dad following close behind.

"Lily, your face," my mom cried out, rushing over. She stared at the thin scratch bleeding on Lily's cheek, her heart aching.

My dad crowded in, too, his expression tense with concern.

Andrew was the only one standing in front of me, his eyes bloodshot and wild, as if he was ready to devour me. "Charlotte, you shameless thing."

Without giving me a chance to react, he grabbed my hair and shoved my head straight into the water in the bathtub.

Hot water flooded my nose, and I choked, coughing desperately, but that only made more water rush in. My lungs felt like they were about to burst.

I kicked and flailed with everything I had, sending water splashing everywhere.

I didn't know how long it went on. Just as I was about to pass out, my dad's voice finally cut through, sounding distant and muffled. "Andrew, that's enough.

"She's just a dumb kid. Who knows what kind of dirty stuff she picked up from those traffickers? Just keep an eye on her, that's all.

"If she acts up, tie her down. Who knows, maybe she'll start stealing things."

Andrew finally released his grip on me.

I slipped out of the bathtub, naked and shivering, sprawled on the icy tiles, my face smeared with snot and tears.

Nobody paid me any attention. Everyone was focused on Lily.

Andrew gave me a disgusted glare, then yanked a towel and tossed it over to me.

I clutched the towel to myself, trembling like a scared kid.