Chapter 2

My heart felt like it was about to burst from my chest. My legs gave out and I fell flat on the ground.

Victoria stopped beside me and kicked me with her foot.

"Stop lying there. You're dragging down the whole class!"

Seeing that I didn't move, she grabbed my upper body and pulled me up, then let go.

My forehead hit the track with a dull thud.

I knew it must hurt, but I couldn't feel it anymore.

After all, compared to the tearing sensation in my chest, this pain was nothing.

"Who do you think you are, some delicate princess? Stop acting weak. It's just fifteen hundred meters. Ms. Carter is watching right over there. Get up now!"

A few classmates passing by stopped and glanced at me.

"I heard she has a heart condition. Could she actually be dying?"

"How is that possible? Ms. Carter is her own mother. If she really had health problems, would she let her run?"

"Besides, if she were actually dying, would her mom have that expression? She looks like she wants to kill someone, not like she's worried about her daughter."

They laughed mockingly and their footsteps gradually faded away.

They say that when you die, hearing is the last sense to go.

I floated in mid-air and looked up anxiously toward Mom.

She was frowning, looking at me with disappointment and disgust.

I instinctively lowered my head and murmured to myself.

I'm sorry, Mom. I've disappointed you again.

Mom walked over from the other end of the track and stopped about ten feet away from my body.

"Aria! Stop faking it. I just saw your arm move. Get up right now."

I still didn't move.

Victoria came over and said quietly, "Ms. Carter, maybe Aria is angry? She's so stubborn. How about we just forget about this fitness test?"

I stood nearby, shaking my head desperately.

Mom, how could I be angry? I just don't have any strength left.

I really just want to rest for a moment. Just one moment.

But Mom couldn't hear me.

Seeing that I remained motionless, her expression grew darker.

She walked up to me and kicked me hard in the stomach.

My body swayed with the force of her kick, like a useless bag of garbage.

"Get up right now! How long are you planning to lie here?"