Chapter 3

"Harsh?"

Mom let out a cold laugh. She pulled up Lily’s sleeve, revealing the fresh bandages underneath.

"We’ve been more than good to her! And how does she repay us? By hurting Lily! I only gave her a little punishment. How is that harsh?"

Mom was right.

I had already received so much. It was fine if I didn't get to eat the cake. I shouldn't be so selfish.

Yet, when Mom cut the cake, she still subconsciously left the biggest slice for me.

Dad smiled softly.

"Alright, I know how much you love both of our girls."

"Go call her down for dinner. You'll be the one crying if she goes hungry."

Mom pursed her lips but didn't argue.

I floated behind Dad as he walked up to my room.

"Chloe, dinner's ready."

He opened the door, but the room was empty.

He searched room after room, but I was nowhere to be found.

His expression grew tense as he walked toward the private ice rink.

My heart instantly leaped into my throat.

I knew what I looked like right now.

My body was frozen solid, covered in blood.

It was too ugly. I didn't want Mom and Dad to see me like this.

I stood in front of the door, trying desperately to block him.

But just as his hand touched the doorknob.

Lily accidentally bumped her head in the living room and started crying.

Dad froze. He turned around anxiously.

"What happened to Lily?"

Mom cradled Lily in her arms, shushing her.

"Lily is hungry! How long are you going to keep looking for that ungrateful brat?"

"She probably ran off to one of her friends' houses. She can't handle the slightest bit of discipline. Lily has it a hundred times harder than her!"

My parents always said that it was a miracle Lily even survived.

They told me to look after her, to love her just as much as they loved me.

So, I learned how to prep her baby formula and change her diapers.

I learned to give Lily the first bite of everything, and I washed her clothes.

Chloe had tried so hard.

Why did Mom still call me an ungrateful brat?

Dad sighed.

"Honey, I know taking care of Lily is exhausting for you."

"But Chloe has always been a good kid. She would never leave without saying anything."

He pulled out his phone and called my friend Audrey's mother.

"Is Chloe over at Audrey's place?"

Audrey's mom laughed on the other end.

"Didn't Audrey say she was having a sleepover at Chloe's tonight? You guys didn't know?"

The call ended. Dad's knuckles turned white as he gripped his phone.

My gentle father was angry for the first time.

"She left without a word, and now she’s staying out all night!"

Mom smirked, as if she had expected this all along.

"I told you, that girl is rotten to the core. So young, and already lying and sneaking out."

"Forget about her. Let's eat."

I didn't lie.

I really didn't.

Audrey and I weren't even real friends.

She loved to bully me, but she always turned it around and told everyone I was the bully.

At first, my parents believed me.

But then Audrey’s mom came over and showed them a video of me allegedly hitting Audrey.

They made me get on my knees and beg Audrey for forgiveness.

Audrey said she forgave me and still wanted to be my best friend.

My parents praised her for having a good heart.

But they never noticed the tiny AI watermark in the bottom corner of the video.

After that, Audrey used my name as an excuse whenever she snaked out to party.

And if I dared to tell the truth, she would have her friends beat me up even harder.

I wanted to scream the truth, but no one could hear me.

Helplessly, I sat by the corner of the dining table, watching my parents feed Lily.

My slice of the cake was tossed into the trash can by my mother.

I reached out to grab it.

But I couldn't reach the cake.

And I could never reach their trust again.