Chapter 4

When I was seven, David and Helen left me at our neighbor's house for an afternoon.

The neighbor, Mr. Henderson, locked me in his basement and abused me.

That was the day Eve was born.

Eve would replay that basement nightmare in our head, over and over, begging for death.

Back then, David would kneel by my bed, crying, begging for my forgiveness, promising he would protect me forever.

But David, did you get tired too?

I'm sorry. It really was all my fault.

Even as a ghost, I felt a sharp, agonizing pain in my chest.

Helen nudged David, her voice a mix of anger and grief.

"How can you say that? Maya might be difficult, but we owe her this."

Helen's eyes reddened.

"She was only seven when that monster... if we hadn't left her there, she would be normal. She wouldn't be trying to end her life."

"Today is Lily's birthday. Let's not fight. We'll have a serious talk with Maya tomorrow."

Helen wiped her tears, gently stroking Lily's hair.

"Lily, you didn't make a wish yet. Make a wish."

Lily's face lit up. She closed her eyes tight and said with absolute sincerity:

"I wish that David, Helen, Maya, and I can be together forever."

Those words stabbed Helen right in the heart.

Helen gasped, covering her mouth as she rushed into the bedroom. I could hear her muffled, agonizing sobs through the door.

It was a cry of pure guilt, helplessness, and exhaustion.

David's eyes turned red too. He silently placed a paper crown on Lily's head.

"Dad promises you. We will be together forever."

I wrapped my arms around David and Lily, whispering in the quiet room:

I'm sorry, Lily. Your wish will never come true.

But without me, you and our parents will be so much happier.

No more medical bills, no more constant fear, no more sleepless nights.

After tucking Lily into bed, David stood outside the bathroom door, knocking gently.

"Maya, come on out. It's cold in there. Let me make you some food."

"Don't you love my homemade steak? I'll make a huge plate just for you."

Only dead silence answered him.

I'll never get to taste your steak again.

Seeing no response, David walked back into the bedroom and whispered to Helen.

"Why did you lock Maya in the bathroom for so long?"

"Her mental state is unstable. Shouldn't we check on her?"

Helen remained silent for a moment before shaking her head.

"I didn't lock the door. She can walk out whenever she wants."

"There's only an eyebrow razor in there. She can't do any real damage with that."

"We've coddled her for years because of her illness. She can't keep acting out like this."

My tears fell silently.

I was trying to be a good girl. I wasn't trying to act out.

David sighed heavily.

He sat down with Helen to calculate this month's bills.

My therapy was over $1,500, and grandmother's care facility fees were astronomical.

Helen covered her face, letting out a low, broken sob.

"David... when will this end?"

"Maya can't even go to school. We're going to have to support her for the rest of our lives. I don't know if we can survive this."

David squeezed Helen's hand, pulling her into his chest.

"She's our daughter, Helen. Even if we go broke, we have to cure her."

"Once the construction project is done, I'll start driving Uber at night. We'll get through this."

Looking at the silver hairs on David's head and Helen's tears, my heart shattered into a million pieces.

They hadn't given up on me. They still loved me.

But I realized it too late.