Chapter 2

My daughter truly seemed like a different person.

But I looked her up and down, from every angle, and she was indeed my daughter.

"Stop staring. It's your daughter, authentic and genuine."

She spoke softly, as if rolling her eyes.

I just couldn't wrap my head around it.

I was about to talk to her when the front door of the house was suddenly kicked open with a loud bang.

My heart instantly clenched.

Mark was back!

From the sound of him kicking the door, he must have been drunk again.

I quickly led Lily back to her room.

"Lily, no matter what you hear, don't come out. Just like normal, okay?"

Mark's angry shouts echoed from outside the door. I closed it, quickly smoothing my hair.

With another bang, he pushed the door open, reeking of alcohol.

He squinted, scanning the room.

I took a deep breath, forcing down the trembling that wracked my body, and stepped forward to help him.

"You're back…"

A familiar silence, then an explosive outburst!

He grabbed my hair, yanked me to the floor, first with punches and slaps, then standing over me, kicking again and again…

"Bitch! Whore! You worthless woman!"

I curled up, hugging my head, my eyes squeezed shut.

Just hold on a little longer. He'd drunk a lot today; he'd tire himself out soon…

Just a little more…

Just as I felt myself fading, I heard a commotion, and he yelled,

"What are you doing?! Let go of me!"

I struggled to open my eyes and saw three or four police officers restraining him!

He was furious, swearing at them.

Lily was standing right there. Suddenly, I didn't feel the pain anymore. I sprang up and pulled her into my arms, shielding her.

"Why did you come out? Are you okay, honey?"

I frantically checked her over.

But she wasn't flustered at all. She took my hand and spoke to the officers.

"Officers, you saw it. This man has been abusing my mother for a long time. If you hadn't arrived in time today, my mom might have been beaten to death!"

Mark had sobered up quite a bit.

"Bullshit! You little Asshole! Did you call the police?!"

"Oh, Sarah, you've really gone too far. You've learned to call the police!"

I shook my head frantically, but Lily continued.

"Officers, he goes crazy every time he drinks. My mom is covered in bruises. You have to arrest him!"

In the end, Mark was taken away by the police, cursing and swearing all the way out.

I shivered uncontrollably.

"It's no use. He won't stay in there forever."

But Lily said,

"But there will be a police record, and my testimony, and the neighbors'."

"What are you planning?"

A confident look settled on her small face.

"First, divorce. We'll figure out the rest later."