Chapter 4
I sucked in a sharp breath. My body felt like it had fallen into an ice cave, frozen from the inside out.
Whatever she said afterward, I couldn’t hear a word.
I had no regrets since I could say goodbye to my mom properly.
Just as Mom was about to leave, I finally found the courage to gently hug her from behind. “Mom, one week from
now,
I’ll give you a peaceful life.”
After that day, Mom treated me much more kindly.
I was happy, but also reluctant to let go.
While I still had the chance, I taught myself how to knit and made a pink scarf for mom. It was my gift to her.
I wouldn’t be here for the winters to come, so she had to keep warm!
The happy time passed quickly, and soon it was my 18th birthday.
On the way back from the bakery with the cake I’d ordered long ago, I saw my biological father skulking near the vi la neighborhood, his greasy eyes fixed on something.
Following his gaze, I saw Mom sitting on the second–floor balcony, sunlight spilling over her as she waited for me to come home.
Clutching the cake, I didn’t know where my strength came from, but I dragged him firmly by the arm to an abandoned warehouse near the house.
As I unwrapped the cake, my hand that was removing the ribbon shook violently.
I sliced the cake–one piece for me, another set in front of my biological father, along with the black card Frederick had given me. “Today’s my 18th birthday. Eat this cake with me, and I’ll give you the money. Just don’t bother Mom again.”
I watched him greedily pick up the cake and take a huge bite. Then I looked deeply and reluctantly at my mom’s di- rection.
“Mom, I won’t be able to celebrate my 18th birthday with you.”
I picked up the fork and firmly shoved the cream into my mouth.
The cream was sweet, but with my tears, it turned bitter on my tongue.
As my biological father’s screams echoed, stabbing cramps twisted my stomach too.
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Chapter 4
I staggered and held onto the wall, then fell limply to the ground.
A metallic taste rose in my throat, and I vomited a mouthful of black blood onto the ground.
My biological father stumbled toward me, yanking my hair and banging my head against the floor. “You brat! What did you put in that cake?”
My skull struck hard against the ground again and again. The world spun.
In my hazy consciousness, I thought I heard Mom’s voice calling my name. “Noelle, are you back?”
I struggled to regain consciousness and saw the cruel look in my biological father’s eyes that chilled me straight through.
Ignoring the spinning in my head and the tearing pain in my stomach, I reached out and clamped my hands around his neck, dragging him toward the back of the warehouse. “You devil. I laced the cake with a strong rat poison. You should go to hell. This time, you’ll never hurt Mom again.”
My biological father blackmailed me again and again, and he would come to disturb my mother’s happy life if I didn’t give him money. From that moment on, I knew that he would not keep his word.
Today was my 18th birthday, the same day he got out of prison. I had guessed long ago he would show up and tor- ment her, so I prepared the poisoned cake in advance.
My mom’s footsteps were getting closer. I pressed one hand tightly over his mouth and nose while the other strangle his neck with all my strength.
His teeth dug into my palm and left a bleeding mark, but I bit back the pain without making a sound.
Only when his body finally went limp and his breath stopped did I release him. The pain in my stomach and throat hit all at once, and I vomited another gush of black blood.
My birth was a mistake. Now, it was my turn to go to hell.
Mom’s footsteps drew nearer. Seeing we were only separated by a wall, I fought the urge to call to her. Instead, I glanced at her direction one last time. A relieved smile spread across my face as I shut my eyes completely. “Mom,
we’re free now.”
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