Chapter 2

The test paper, covered in angry red corrections, sent a wave of irritation crashing through my mind.

Edwin somehow showed up next to me without me realizing.

"Judith, come on, try this sandwich. Steak flown in fresh this morning, plus foreign cheese," he said, offering it to me.

"No, thanks," I replied.

He said, "Look at you. You're so skinny. Come on and eat something. You need it.

"Hey, what's up? Your eyes look kind of red. Are you stressed out from school or something?

"Hey, let me tell you a joke. What do you call a deer with no eyes?"

When I stayed silent, Edwin just kept going, not missing a beat.

He said, "It's 'no eye deer'. Because it sounds like 'no idea'. Isn't that hilarious? I racked my brains for ages to come up with this one.

"Seriously, you don't have to carry all this by yourself. I'm always here for you."

"Can you please be quiet?" I snapped.

Perhaps my voice was too loud. Edwin froze for a moment, a flicker of grievance flashing in his eyes.

"I... I just wanted to make you feel better. If I'm bothering you that much, I'll go. I'll leave the sandwich here. Don't forget to eat," he said, his voice soft and a little shaky.

With that, he bolted out of the classroom.

By the time I realized I'd snapped at him, Edwin was already gone. The hallway was completely empty.

I slumped back into my seat, picked up my pen, and tried to lose myself in my homework.

But it seemed that when it rained, it poured.

Before I could even finish a single test paper, a wave of sharp cramps hit me, and sweat broke out all over my forehead.

I slumped over my desk, silently praying for the pain to pass.

It was lunch break, and the classroom was mostly empty, with a few students scattered around, catching some rest.

I was so weak that I couldn't even muster the strength to call for help.

My arm was slick with something. I couldn't even tell if it was sweat or tears anymore.

Seriously? Was this how I went out, just from pain? I'd been fighting so hard, just trying to get by. I was so close. Just a little more and I could've turned my whole life around...

The cold wind was making my mind go blank. My consciousness was fading, but then suddenly someone shook me awake.

"Why are you sweating so much? Hey, don't pass out on me. Get up, I'll carry you to the infirmary," Edwin said, sounding urgent.

I collapsed onto Edwin, my whole weight leaning heavily against him.

But he didn't seem to feel it at all, just charged straight for the infirmary without slowing down.

The layers of steps jolted me up and down. When we turned a corner, we nearly wiped out and crashed to the floor.

His back was drenched in sweat.

"Edwin... I'm sorry, I..." I whispered, my voice shaky.

"I know, I know. Just don't talk if it hurts," Edwin said, his voice gentle but urgent.

With just one hundred feet left, Edwin was yelling as he dashed forward, "Doctor, help!"

It wasn't until they hooked me up to the IV that I finally started to come around.

Edwin had already wiped the sweat from my forehead with a warm towel.

"How are you feeling now? Does it still hurt?" Edwin asked, his eyes still red from worry.

"It doesn't hurt anymore," I murmured.

He said, "I already got your medicine. I'm really sorry. I totally spaced that it's the first day of your period, and I ended up upsetting you. I shouldn't have stormed off like that.

"Honestly, I'm just glad I made it back in time. If I hadn't, I'd never forgive myself."

"I shouldn't have snapped at you just now. I'm sorry," I said quietly.

Edwin gave a gentle smile. "Didn't I say before? If you're my girlfriend, you can be as moody as you want. I'll always be here to cheer you up. But breaking up? Not a chance."

My ears flushed bright red before I could even try to hide it.

"Class is about to start. Go back first," I said, pushing Edwin away.

"Nope, I'm not leaving. I'm staying right here with you," Edwin said stubbornly.

"Seriously, I'm fine now. The doctor is here, so you don't have to worry." I reassured him.

In the end, I managed to send Edwin off to class, but he kept looking back over his shoulder, clearly not wanting to leave.

I closed my eyes and pretended to rest, hoping it would keep the tears from spilling out.

The pain in my body and the ache in my heart always took me back to that winter...

Not long after I was born, my grandma dragged in some fortune-teller who claimed I was a jinx, cursed to wipe out our family line.

If my mom hadn't fought for me with everything she had, I probably would've been left behind.

They didn't bother thinking about a good name for me and just gave me a boy's name, Joshua.

Maybe the clerk at the registry office took pity on me and changed my name to "Judith".

Back before my brother was born, whenever my family remembered that whole thing, they'd beat me up. But I was grateful to that clerk. Her one act meant I didn't have to grow up feeling completely worthless.

When my mom couldn't have another child, she became the family's punching bag. Everyone took out their anger on her whenever they wanted.

Whenever Dad or Grandma started hitting her, I'd always jump in front, taking some of the blows for her.

I threw myself into my studies, just hoping I could earn enough to get her out of this place as soon as possible.

But when I hit sixth grade，she finally gave birth to my little brother. Then everything turned upside down.

Just like that, she went from being the victim to the one dishing out the pain.