Chapter 2

"I don't want to go with Mom, and I don't want to go with Dad. I want to go to Grandma Rose’s place out of town!"

My whole body trembled as I spoke those words.

But I forced myself to look up, meeting Mom’s gaze directly.

Mom's face instantly twisted, her eyes turning red.

She grabbed my hand, her voice thick with tears:

"Chloe, why? Did I do something wrong? Don't you like me anymore?"

Her hand was soft and warm, but I violently pulled away, afraid to look at her again:

"No!"

"I just miss Grandma Rose!"

"That kid must be out of her mind!"

Aunt Brenda's sharp voice pierced my ears:

"Not going with her mom is one thing, but not even going with her dad? What kind of life will she have out in the sticks?"

"Exactly, Chloe, your exams are coming up. Don't be so stubborn!"

Aunt Margaret also tried to persuade me.

A bitter laugh echoed in my mind. Whether I went with Dad or Mom, I couldn't escape the fate of being tormented to death.

So this time, I had to find my own way out!

Ignoring the chaos around me, I turned and ran back to my room.

I emptied my piggy bank into my backpack, and without a backward glance, I secretly slipped out of the house.

It wasn't until I was on the bus heading out of town that I finally let out a sigh of relief.

Scenes from my previous two lives flashed through my mind like a nightmare.

In the first life, when Mom asked that question, I agreed without hesitation.

Happily, I went with her to that big, beautiful new house.

I foolishly believed Mom hadn't abandoned me, just moved to a different place.

Until that day, when I accidentally knocked over a glass of water, staining a crayon drawing Matteus had made for Mom.

When Mom found out, her eyes changed instantly.

She snatched up the golf club beside her and swung it fiercely at me, her previous gentleness completely vanished:

"Who told you to touch it! I never wanted to take *you* when I divorced!"

"I just asked as a courtesy, why are you so shameless, clinging on just to live a good life!"

She shattered three of my ribs, causing internal bleeding, but Mom made no move to call an ambulance.

After drawing my last breath in despair, I was reborn, returning to the moment Mom said she wanted to take me.

This time, I was smarter. I immediately pushed elementary-aged Matteus towards Mom:

"Mom, please take Matteus. He's still small and can't be without you. I'll be fine with Dad!"

Mom’s face immediately darkened, her eyes chillingly sinister, but in the end, she took Matteus.

I thought I was safe.

But less than a month later, Mom tricked me into going out, saying she'd take me to the amusement park.

Instead, she locked both Matteus and me in the villa's basement.

Through the iron grate, Mom screamed like a madwoman:

"Why are you forcing me? I never wanted him! Chloe, why did you have to meddle?"

There was no water, no food in the basement.

Matteus cried until his throat was raw. I held him close, and in the darkness and hunger, I lost consciousness once more.

Now, it was my third life.

Clutching my backpack, tears streamed down my face.

Mom, who exactly do you want to take with you?

Are neither Matteus nor I what you want?