Chapter 3

What flashed through my mind was the look of exasperation on her face when I gave up the chance to study abroad.

She said, "You'll regret this, Gisselle."

Back then, I just laughed it off, but now her words have come back to haunt me.

A cold tear slipped from the corner of my eye and dropped onto the floor.

Suddenly, my phone lit up with a message notification.

Emersyn sent me a photo and said: [Flight at midnight tomorrow. Get your ass over here.]

[Don't talk to me when we meet. I might just kill you.]

She was probably already hunting for tickets the second she heard, and snagged the soonest flight she could find.

I couldn't hold it in anymore. I broke down, crying, my sobs filling the whole room.

It felt like I was finally letting it all out after years of holding everything inside.

After all these years living together, all my personal belongings could fit into a single suitcase.

Once I'd calmed down, I headed back home in a cab to grab my visa.

When I opened the door, my mom's gentle expression instantly collapsed.

"Why are you still alive out there? You're such bad luck," she snapped.

I calmly sifted through the clutter and found my visa. Before leaving, I bowed politely and said, "Sorry for disturbing you."

As soon as the words left my mouth, she slapped me hard across the face.

My head slammed into the corner of the coffee table, blood smeared across my right eye, blinding me. She didn't even flinch, just watched me struggle.

Through the haze of blood, I saw her face twisted into something demonic, like a vengeful spirit come to claim my soul.

She spat, "Giving me attitude, huh? Samuel's loaded and treats you like a queen, but you're just a cheap whore, whoring around with other guys.

"I always knew you were just like your good-for-nothing dad who died early. Why don't you just drop dead already? What's the point of you even being alive?"

I dragged myself up, forcing out the words, one at a time.

"Mom, did you ever love me?" I asked.

She paused for a second, then spat at me, full of contempt.

"Just hearing you call me 'Mom' makes me sick!" she said.

The question that haunted me for twenty-eight years finally got its answer.

Struggling, I pulled out a document from my bag, a paper to officially end our parent-child relationship.

"Sign this, will you? From now on, you'll only have your good daughter," I said, keeping my voice steady.

She couldn't wait to snatch it and scribble her name, then, without a shred of hesitation, grabbed a broom and started beating me. "Get out!"

As I stepped out of the apartment complex, the sky opened up and rain came down in sheets.

It was rush hour, and no drivers were accepting my ride.

I waited at the bus stop, zoning out as I stared at the puddles on the ground.

A Rolls-Royce Cullinan rolled up in front of me. Through the window, I saw Samuel behind the wheel, his face half-hidden in the shadows.

He said coolly, "Get in."

I bit my lip, stubbornly refusing. Samuel finally lost his patience, got out, hauled me off the curb, and stuffed me into the car.

I yelled, "Let go! I can get in myself!"

But he was way too strong for me.

As I tried to fight back, he pointed right at my eyes and nose, his voice low and warning.

He said, "You planning to stand out here in this downpour all night?

"Your mom doesn't love you, your sister doesn't love you. Who else in this world would put up with you like I do?"

I gripped the seat cushion, my fingers digging in, and slowly went quiet.

He looked satisfied. "Be good and come with me to the birthday party."

He didn't even give me a choice.

Without letting me protest, he pulled me straight into the banquet hall.

Lilly was the center of attention in her gorgeous pink princess dress, while I was just in a plain white T-shirt, with a few mud stains on it.

She let out a mocking laugh. "Where did you come from, Gisselle? Looks like you've been dumpster diving. But whatever, just enjoy my birthday party."

Samuel walked over to her side, his eyes full of affection, and gave her nose a playful tap.

"I brought her here for you. Lilly, you're so thoughtful, even on your birthday you didn't forget about your sister," he said.

"Unlike some people, who'd be nothing without me, just a stray on the street. Better stick close to your master, and you'll always have food and shelter," he added.

With everyone at the party throwing me those judgmental looks, I just gave a careless smile and shrugged it off.

Maybe Samuel thought all this was meant to shame me, but truth is, I'd gotten used to it a long time ago.

Growing up, I was always the one watching Lilly blow out her candles and make her birthday wishes. Me? I never even got a taste of cake, let alone make a wish of my own.

As I was checking my documents, Samuel suddenly showed up behind me, his voice tinged with curiosity.

"What's that you've got there? A visa?" he asked.

I kept my expression neutral. "Yeah, I'm heading overseas."

Samuel let out a mocking laugh. "Come on, don't kid yourself. You're basically on your own now. Without me, where do you think you can go?"

"Just sit tight and be good. I'll go grab you some cake," he said.

I didn't say anything, just started to get up and walk away.

But Lilly blocked my path, insisting on pulling me right into the middle of the banquet hall, right next to a champagne tower.

An uneasy feeling hit me, and sure enough, I looked up to see the chandelier overhead shaking, like it was about to come crashing down.