Chapter 1

I was locked in a confinement room.

My own parents said I had bullied the fake daughter, so I had to be punished.

My brother even hired a professional "trainer" to teach me how to behave.

Under beating and electric shocks, I was broken into perfect obedience.

I said things they had wanted to hear. "Dad, Mom... I was wrong. She can have everything... I won't fight her anymore.

"Jason, I admit everything you said I did. Just don't hurt me again... I'll be good from now on, I swear..."

I became the perfect daughter. And only then—They started to regret it.

*****

I was nearly sobbing. "Jason, can you come get me? I know I'm wrong..."

The room was pitch black. I lay on the floor, crawling inch by inch, groping blindly for a long time, until finally, I found my phone.

The screen was shattered. No matter how many times I pressed it, it stayed dark.

But luckily, I still managed to dial an emergency number.

Hearing the familiar dial tone, I almost burst into tears.

But I didn't dare cry. This might be my only chance to call for help.

I clutched my phone tightly, praying desperately. But the first call went unanswered.

I didn't try again right away.

I had no idea how long I'd been locked in here. I didn't know what time it was. I didn't even know how much battery was left.

Jason always said he was busy and I shouldn't call him unless it was urgent.

And if it really was urgent, I could only call once every thirty minutes.

I must make every call count—this might be my only chance.

So I counted every second. When I thought half an hour had passed, I carefully pressed the screen again.

I was trying to remember where each button used to be—there was a Y-shaped crack that helped guide me. I got through again.

But still, no one answered.

Maybe it was the middle of the night and he was sleeping; Or maybe it was the afternoon, and he was in a meeting.

I waited about an hour this time, then tried one more time.

Finally, someone picked up.

"Jason..." I murmured.

He said, "Hold on, Sophie's calling..."

"Okay, I'll wait." I quickly spoke up, not daring to sound impatient or make a scene—terrified he might hang up.

Sophie wasn't his sister by blood. But she was the one he'd loved and protected for years, the apple of his eye.

He used to say I was the apple of his eye too, when he brought me back from the orphanage.

But clearly, one apple was worth more than the other.

I held the phone close, not daring to pull it from my ear for even a second, waiting for him to finish his call.

About half an hour passed. Then I heard a soft beep—low battery warning.

Thankfully, just then, his call with Sophie ended.

Finally, it was my turn to talk.

I couldn't hold back and pleaded, "Jason, please, can you come get me? I know I was wrong..."

"What exactly did you do?" he asked flatly.

"I shouldn't have fought her. I admit everything you said I did. Just please take me home. I'm cold and hungry. I want to go home..." I pleaded.

"So you're admitting that you hired someone to kidnap Sophie, bullied her at school, and had someone break her hand so she couldn't play piano?" His voice was cold.

"Yes, yes... It was all me! I was jealous. I was wrong—I shouldn't have tried to take her room, or set her up, or hurt her. It's all my fault. I know that now. Jason, please, I'll be good. Just let me come home..." I cried out and said everything I could before the phone finally died.

Jason sounded satisfied. "Alright, I'll come get you."

Beep...

The phone finally shut off.

But I clutched the dying phone to my chest, my heart swelling with hope.

Jason was coming. I just had to wait a little longer.

But that "little while"... stretched on.

Maybe a day, maybe three, maybe an eternity...

The air in the room was starting to rot.

I sniffed at myself, guilty and ashamed—I smelled sour.

But this was different. This was something else. A sharp, sickening rot.

I knew what that smell was. I curled into the corner, trying to keep away from it.

The bread and water left in the room were long gone.

I was starving, exhausted, and barely awake.

But I didn't dare fall asleep.

Jason said he would come. And I had to wait for him.

He hated people not taking his words seriously, especially me.

And then, finally, he came.

The door swung open. I raised my head quickly, but the darkness was still total. I couldn't see a thing.

But I heard footsteps getting closer. It's leather shoes on concrete.

"Jason." I immediately reached out, frantically groping around in the darkness, terrified he'd turn around and leave before he saw me.

But then, my fingers finally found him.

His hand was warm and steady, just like it had been two years ago.