Chapter 2

Go back? Back to that cold place without her?

I nodded frantically, swallowing all my tears and bitterness.

As long as I could stay by her side, did it really matter if I was just "adopted"?

That night, I curled up on a tiny cot in the utility closet. I tossed and turned, feeling a constant, sharp pricking sensation all over my body.

The next morning, as soon as the sun rose, I dragged myself out of bed. My skin was covered in tiny, red pinpricks.

But I didn't have time to worry about that. I stood on my tiptoes at the kitchen sink, washing the dishes. The freezing water splashed all over my clothes.

My mother walked into the kitchen. When she saw my soaked sleeves, she froze for a fraction of a second.

But quickly, her face hardened again. "Don't think doing chores will make me keep you."

"If Vincent hadn't begged me, I wouldn't have cared if you lived or died!"

My heart sank.

Still, I couldn't help but think: *So my father’s name is Vincent Carter. What a nice name.*

"Mom—"

Daisy’s sweet voice interrupted us. She pinched her nose, her little face twisted in disgust.

"What is that smell? It’s so gross and smelly! Mom, throw this beggar out!"

My mother’s gaze instantly snapped to me, filled with pure annoyance.

"Go take a shower. Don't ruin Daisy’s appetite."

I lowered my head and walked into the home sauna room. The moment I stepped inside, the glass door clicked shut.

Locked.

Daisy was standing outside, holding the remote control, her fingers pressing the buttons rapidly. The temperature in the sauna began to skyrocket. The display jumped straight to 200 degrees!

"Let me out!" I screamed.

The heat wave consumed me instantly. My skin felt like it was being pressed against a hot iron.

My vision blurred, and my head buzzed. Using the very last of my strength, I threw my entire body against the glass door.

*Crack—*

The glass finally gave way, webbed with cracks.

Like a burnt leaf, I collapsed backward onto the floor.

Before my eyes closed completely, I thought I saw my mother’s terrified face through the shattered glass.

I don’t know how much time passed, but I woke up.

There was an IV in the back of my hand, and the cuts on my legs were carefully bandaged.

From outside the room, I heard my mother talking to the doctor. "Heatstroke... severe trauma..."

The door was pushed open.

My mother walked in. Without a word, she raised her hand and slapped me hard across the face!

*Slap!*

I was completely stunned. Half of my face burned with intense pain, and my ears rang.

"I’ve already made the arrangements. You’re going back this afternoon."

Those words felt like a knife plunging straight into my chest.

No!

I had fought so hard to finally be with my mother. I couldn't leave!

I practically fell off the hospital bed, kneeling on the cold floor, begging and crying:

"Mom! Please! Don't throw me away!"

"I'm fine now! I'll leave the hospital right now, I won't be a burden!"

But she just stood there, looking down at me. There was no warmth in her eyes—only disgust and hatred.

"Do you have any idea how long Daisy has practiced the violin?"

"Three years! Three whole years! Not a single day missed!"

"Her competition is next month! But now, her hand is cut by the glass because of you!"

"Chloe, you haven't even been in this house for twenty-four hours, and you've already ruined Daisy's dreams! There is no place for you in this family!"

I slowly looked up.

The words died in my throat.

Through the crack of the hospital door, I saw Daisy standing outside. A triumphant smirk played on her lips.

She held up her bandaged hand and waved it at me mockingly.

"Mom, look at Daisy's hand, she's fine! She's faking it! She was the one who locked me in..."