Chapter 2

I was like an observer, only able to watch as One controlled my body.

For the past three years, every time One took over, my body would try to die in various ways.

Jumping from a window, that was when I was eight. One climbed onto the balcony while Mom and Dad were at the hospital with Grandma.

Luckily, Dad came home early and grabbed me, but he fell to the ground, spraining his ankle, and couldn't get out of bed for half a month.

Cutting my wrist, that was last winter. One found a piece of broken glass and made a gash on my wrist.

When Mom found me, she cried hysterically, rushing me to the hospital that very night and stayed by my bedside for three days and three nights without closing her eyes.

Drowning, that was in the bathtub. One filled it with water and submerged my head. Chloe noticed something was wrong and frantically called Mom, which saved me.

One had tried most ways to commit suicide, but my parents always managed to save me.

When I opened my eyes, I would often see my parents' and Chloe's tear-streaked faces.

"Lily, I'm begging you, please don't try to die again."

"Are you going to harm our whole family until you're satisfied?"

"Are you okay? Dad and Mom are so worried about you."

From then on, every time I felt an alter switch coming, I would take a lot of medication to stay normal.

Even if the pills made me dizzy and nauseous, I didn't want to see my family's tears again.

But this time, I had no more medication. One could finally fulfill his wish.

One looked at the eyebrow razor on the vanity, carefully tucking it away.

In my mind, I screamed and struggled, trying to regain control of my body.

But One's strength was too great. I was trapped, like in a cage, unable to do anything.

Outside, Dad's confused voice suddenly came through.

"Sarah, where's Lily? Isn't she coming to celebrate Chloe's birthday?"

Mom's voice, almost breaking, full of long-suppressed resentment, answered.

"She's pretending to be sick again. Usually, I'd let it slide, but today is Chloe's birthday."

"I don't want Chloe's birthday to be ruined again. She's never had a proper birthday."

Dad sighed, his voice full of weariness. He told Mom,

"Let her cool off then. Her temper needs to be curbed."

"You and I will celebrate Chloe's birthday. The child has never had a proper birthday since she was little, let's not disappoint her again."

One laughed at me mockingly in my mind.

"See? Mom and Dad don't love us anymore. Why should we live?"

"After that incident, I told you, death is the only escape. But you insisted on enduring for the family until now. Is this the result you wanted?"

I wanted to deny him. Mom and Dad clearly loved me! They had sacrificed almost everything for me!

But then I remembered Dad's shoulder injury, Mom's dark circles under her eyes, and Chloe's ingratiating smile.

To pay for my therapy fees, Dad often worked on construction sites until his lower back gave out, and on rainy days, the pain would almost keep him from getting out of bed.

Mom had to take care of Grandma and then come back to care for me, her sick child. She only slept three or four hours a day.

To avoid upsetting me, Chloe was always well-behaved and gentle around me. Even at just five years old, she'd learned to wash dishes and do chores.

If I died, maybe everyone would be happier.

I gave up struggling, letting One turn on the faucet, fill the tub with hot water, and then climb in.

Without a moment of hesitation, One used the eyebrow razor to cut my wrist.

The wound was deep enough to see bone, and blood instantly flowed out.

The water in the tub gradually turned crimson, and my soul felt lighter.

This was finally coming to an end.

Dad wouldn't have to put on pain patches every night; he could get a good night's sleep.

Mom wouldn't have to rush around every day, taking me to doctors.

Chloe could finally have a normal childhood.

My family would finally be free of me, this "lunatic."

In the last moment before my consciousness completely faded, my original personality switched back.

Looking towards the door, I whispered my last words.

Mom, Dad, Chloe, I'm sorry.

If there's a next life, I'll never be a burden to you again.