Chapter 2
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Leaving the villa, I squatted down by the corner of the wall outside the gate.
I didn’t know how long I stayed there. As the sky darkened, Mom’s broken cries slowly died down, and rain poured heavily from above.
I held on to the black card Frederick gave me, but I couldn’t bring myself to walk away.
There was an abandoned doghouse by the gate. Without thinking, I crawled right into it.
The rain poured all night before it finally stopped.
My clothes clung wet and sticky to my skin, making me uncomfortable. I felt cold and hot at the same time.
My throat was dry and sore, my eyelids were heavy, and my mind began to drift away. I felt like I was really going to die.
No… I hadn’t dragged that devil who had hurt Mom into hell yet. I couldn’t die now.
As my lids grew heavier, I finally slipped into this book had been
urcensionpresse added on your
I didn’t know how long I slept, but in a daze, I seeme bookshelfg in a very warm embrace.
I forced my eyes to open a little. Mom’s exhausted, guilty face loomed close. “Noelle, I’m sorry. I hurt you again.”
Her tears fell onto my face. Her trembling fingers stroked my cheek as she pulled me tighter in her arms. “If only you were the daughter Frederick and I had together.”
I held my breath, squeezing my eyes shut as I greedily savored my mother’s long–lost embrace.
It was uncomfortable to hold my breath for too long, so I couldn’t help but cough violently.
When I opened my eyes and met Mom’s gaze, she screamed as if she’d seen some terrifying monster.
Frederick and Timothy rushed in, shielding her as they quickly led her out of the bedroom.
I threw off the blanket and got out of bed, instinctively chasing after them. I heard Frederick and Timothy’s guilty voices as they supported her. “Margaret, how are you feeling? It’s our fault for being soft–hearted. We shouldn’t have
you care about Noelle.”
let
Mom gasped for breath, yet her condition was better than days before. “Don’t worry. I’m much better today.”
I paused and stopped trying to follow her.
Mom would be calmer if I just kept my distance.
With a heavy heart, I went back to my room, nervously twisting the pink sheets in my hands.
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Chapter 2
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Mom and Frederick had never deprived me of material things. In this castle–like villa, they had prepared a pink princess room just for me.
Mom used to say I was her little princess, and she wanted me to have the best of everything.
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Frederick’s voice came through. “Noelle, may I come in?”
I slipped on my slippers and opened the door.
Frederick pushed the gold–rimmed glasses on his nose and spoke straight to the point. “Noelle, because of your exis- tence, your mom’s mental state keeps worsening. I’ve talked to psychological experts. A few more incidents and she’ll collapse completely.”
I lowered my head. My face and ears burned with shame.
Frederick let out a long sigh. “I’ve arranged for a medical specialist. After the modified electroconvulsive therapy, your mom will forget all the painful memories, including you.”
I forced a smile. “If Mom forgets me, then she forgets the pain. As long as she can be happy, I’m willing.”
Frederick nodded with satisfaction, then asked solemnly, “So, can I ask you for a favor?”
A bad feeling flickered in my chest. Frederick looked at me pleadingly. “After the treatment, I’ll take your mom abroad and never come back. That unlimited black card will be enough for you to live comfortably for your life. No matter how much you miss your mom, don’t go looking for her, okay?”
After a long while, I heard my reply, “Okay.”
I lowered my head and stared at my toes. My vision blurred as tears filled my eyes.
The door closed softly, and my heart jolted with painful loss.
At that moment of loss, a pair of warm hands suddenly covered my shoulders. “Noelle, I’m sorry. I scared you earli-
er.”
I was stunned for a moment. I suppressed the urge to get close to my mother, and kept backing away nervously.
Mom pulled out a tissue and gently wiped away the tears at the corners of my eyes.
I dropped my head even lower. Even my toes curled helplessly inside my slippers.
After a while, I finally heard Mom’s voice, “Your 18th birthday is in one week. Do you have any wishes?”
I pinched the corner of my clothes and my body trembled violently.
For her, my birthday was also the anniversary of her suffering.
After I turned ten, once my face started to resemble that devil’s more and more, mom stopped celebrating my birth- day.
Since I was ten, the Mom in my memory had always been hysterical. It had been so long since I last heard her speak this calmly, with such gentle motherly love.
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Chapter 2
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It felt like a long time ago, when she didn’t hate me.
My head hung lower, but courage surged faintly in my chest. In a voice as tiny as a mosquito’s hum, I whispered. “Mom, I want to spend my 18th birthday with you.”
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