Chapter 2

The next day, when I woke up, Alistair had already made breakfast.

Everything seemed normal.

If it hadn't been for yesterday's revelation, I almost would have believed it was just a nightmare.

"Come eat."

I suppressed the urge to run, sitting down stiffly.

"This afternoon, we're going to your parents' house. They said they miss you."

My heart sank.

But...

"Okay."

I softly agreed, trying to keep my voice sounding normal.

Alistair's face lit up with a delighted expression.

"Wonderful, they'll be so happy to hear the news."

I looked up, feigning confusion, and asked Alistair,

"What news?"

"Why, that your condition has had a breakthrough, of course."

"They've invested so much; it's time they saw a return."

His words instantly took me back to the past.

I suddenly remembered my days at the dance academy.

Waking up before dawn every day, being forcibly bent by the instructors, crying myself to sleep every night.

Tears and sweat—that was my entire three years of memory.

I had questioned them countless times, asking why they treated me that way.

They simply replied with the vague phrase, "It's all for your own good."

Now I understood. They simply wanted to train a body worthy of their precious daughter.

I took a deep breath, suppressing the hatred that surged in my heart.

"After breakfast, I want to go for a walk. I've been feeling a bit cooped up lately."

"Great! I'll come with you."

I quickly waved my hand, refusing Alistair.

"I want to be alone, just in the apartment complex garden."

Alistair looked at me, saying nothing.

I lowered my head, not daring to meet his gaze, my heart pounding.

Finally, he spoke.

"Alright, but come back soon. We're leaving at noon."

A tight knot in my chest loosened a little.

After breakfast, I changed and prepared to leave.

As I reached the entryway, I instinctively reached for my phone and keys.

"Looking for these?"

Alistair's voice came from behind me.

I turned, meeting his gaze as he held my phone.

"I charged it for you last night after you fell asleep."

I took the phone he handed me; the screen was still on.

For some reason, I felt a subtle unease.

"Where are my keys?"

"I put them away."

He said to me casually,

"Our home has smart locks, so you don't need keys."

"But..."

Before I could finish, Alistair cut me off.

"Enough!"

His voice held a hint of impatience.

"Go on, don't keep me waiting too long."

With that, he turned and walked to the living room, picking up a psychology textbook.

I tentatively pressed the handle of the fingerprint lock.

"Password incorrect."

Alistair had changed the password and deleted my fingerprint.

He was now engrossed in his book, seemingly oblivious to my movements.

I walked over to him, forcing a smile.

"Alistair, the password's wrong."

He looked up, a contrite expression on his face.

"I'm sorry, Sweetie, I changed the password yesterday and forgot to tell you."

As he spoke, he took out his phone and tapped a few times.

"There, try again."

With a mix of hope and skepticism, I typed in my original birthday password.

"Verification successful."

The door opened.

Standing in the doorway, I couldn't take a single step.

I could feel Alistair's gaze burning into my back.

He was just using this method to tell me.

He could lock me in, or let me out, whenever he pleased.

Everything was under his control.

"Why aren't you going?"

I turned around; he had put down his book and was watching me.

"I suddenly... don't want to go out."

I closed the door and watched him walk closer, step by step.

"Then stay home with me."

Alistair opened his arms.

I hesitated for a moment, then submissively leaned into his embrace.

My plan had failed.

What was I going to do?

Soon, he would take me back to that so-called home.

I had no way to save myself.

But out of the corner of my eye, I noticed something.

On the coffee table behind Alistair, lay a fruit knife...

Its blade reflected a cold gleam in the light.