Chapter 2

2

The first thing my mother did when she got home was rush into Leo's room and pull him into a tight hug.

"Leo, I'm home. Don't be afraid. I'm here."

Looking at how luxurious his room was, it was obvious how much she spoiled her nephew.

His desk was covered with expensive fruit and high-end Lego sets.

Leo had cried until his eyes were as red as cherries.

He looked up at her with watery eyes.

"Auntie, Summer hasn't been home for days. Does she really hate me?"

My mother frowned slightly and comforted him.

"No, Leo. I've just spoiled Summer too much, and now she's become a rebel. When she comes back, I'm going to give her a piece of my mind!"

Standing next to them as a ghost, my heart ached so much I could hardly breathe.

No matter how hard I tried, I was always the failure in her eyes.

To her, only Leo was worthy of being her child.

She said it was because Leo's mother died giving birth to him, so she had to give him double the love.

But what about me? Was I just born to be a sacrifice?

A flash of triumph crossed Leo's face, hidden from my mother but clear to me.

Underneath his innocent look was a monster. Only I knew his true face.

In a dark warehouse, I had looked at Leo in desperation as he suddenly appeared before me.

I had tried my best to scream for him to save me.

I didn't know why I had been snatched off the street by strangers.

I thought this cousin of mine was my only hope.

But instead of a rescue, I got a hard slap across the face.

Leo looked at me with cold, dead eyes.

"Summer, I really hate you. Only when you're dead will Auntie give all her love and resources to me. Your death is worth it. I'll never forget you."

My struggling did nothing.

The men behind him threw me onto the road.

I watched as the semi-truck barreled toward me, and then the pain consumed everything.

I had used the last of my strength to call my mom, begging for help.

But the only response I got was her cold voice.

"Are you annoying me again? Your cousin is in baking class. Don't bother us!"

She hung up, and my life reached its end.

Now, seeing the murderer look so innocent, I wanted to tear that mask off his face.

But I was dead. I couldn't do a thing.

Just like all those years in that house, I was powerless.

Leo snuggled into my mother's arms and asked with fake innocence.

"Auntie, Summer called earlier and said she was in danger. Should you check on her?"

My mother picked up some scattered books and curled her lip.

"Don't believe a word she says. She's told that lie a thousand times. None of it is ever true. I don't know who she learned it from, but she's full of lies. I wish she was as sensible as you."

Leo smiled, but I saw the cruelty hidden beneath it.

In the middle of their cozy moment, her phone rang again.

She tried to ignore it to stay with Leo, but the phone wouldn't stop ringing.

It sounded like a death knell.

It was her apprentice from work. He was supposed to be in charge of my body's restoration.

If he was calling this urgently, he must have run into a problem.

Reluctantly, she comforted Leo and waited for him to fall asleep before rushing back out.