Chapter 1

When I was four, my brother Leo and I accidentally fell into a pool.

After we were rescued, Mom slapped me across the face.

"I told you to watch Leo! You almost killed him! Was it on purpose?"

From then on, if I ate one of Leo's candies, I'd be punished with no food.

If I secretly played with his toy car, Mom would lock me in the basement.

Dad initially tried to intervene, but Mom would just hug Leo tighter.

"She's the reason Leo is brain-damaged. I can't let him suffer anymore."

When I was eight, our neighbor, Mr. Peterson, tried to lure Leo into his house with a lollipop.

I tried to protect Leo and got dragged in instead.

When I returned home, covered in bruises, Mom kicked me to the ground.

"Lily, you've made Leo sickly and weak, and now you're running away?"

"Can't you just give us a break? I wish I'd never had you!"

Dragging my bleeding body, I quietly dug out a red cloth pouch from deep inside the closet.

Inside was the keepsake locket Mom had given me years ago, engraved with "May you live a hundred years."

I looked at it for a long time, then calmly swallowed it.

Mom, I don't want to live a hundred years anymore.

I just want you to be happy forever.