Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Predictably, my father's face turned icy. "Sending a selfish brat like her to a prestigious competition would be a complete waste. If she ever won an award, her ego would become even more unbearable!"

Peyton spoke softly, acting like a saint. "Please don't be mad, Daddy. Natalie must have had her reasons."

My father's gaze softened instantly. "You're just too kind-hearted, Peyton. That's why she walks all over you."

That was Peyton's greatest talent. She always knew the exact words that would melt my parents' hearts.

I knew very well that even if my ghost stood before them and exposed every cruel thing Peyton had ever done, they would only slap me across the face. They would accuse me of making up lies out of petty jealousy.

Over the years, I had grown numb to it.

Just then, the door burst open, and my older brother, Brandon, rushed into the room.

He had caught the first flight back from out of state the second he heard about the fire.

Just like our parents, his eyes were glued exclusively to Peyton.

After verifying that Peyton was unharmed, Brandon let out a long sigh of relief, his face darkening with fury. "I told you guys a long time ago that Natalie is a curse on this family! Ever since Peyton was born, she's done nothing but bring harm to her!"

Peyton seized the opportunity to lean into him with a delicate whine. "Don't be angry, Brandon. Even if Natalie locked me inside the room, I'm sure she didn't mean to do it!"

Those words detonated like a bomb in the room.

My mother slammed her hand against the bedside table. "What? She actually locked you in that burning room?"

My father gritted his teeth, veins bulging on his forehead. "That heartless monster! I am not letting her off the hook for this!"

Brandon's eyes flared with venomous hatred, as if he wanted to tear me to shreds with his bare hands.

Peyton's heart skipped a beat, perhaps worried that pushing the lie too far might expose the truth. She quickly tugged at Brandon's sleeve. "Mom, Dad, Brandon, please don't fight with Natalie. Maybe I remembered it wrong. She's still my sister―she would never do something so terrible!"

Brandon tapped her nose gently, his voice dripping with affection. "You silly girl, you're far too naive. You have no idea how evil people can be."

Tears welled in my mother's eyes. "God must have blessed our family to give us such an angelic daughter."

My father took Peyton's hand and squeezed it tightly. "Daddy will listen to you. We'll ignore that troublemaker and focus entirely on your recovery!"

The warm golden sunset poured through the window, bathing the four of them in a tender, picture-perfect glow. Watching their harmonious family portrait, a wave of suffocating sorrow crushed my soul.

In that moment, my wandering spirit felt completely alien.

I wasn't their kin. I was nothing more than a stray dog they kicked to the curb.

I wanted to run far away from them, but an invisible bond tethered my soul to my father's side. I had no voice to scream, doomed to silently endure their endless insults.