Chapter 2

2

"Dad, Mom, women need to be independent these days. Besides, even rich families care about a degree."

My words made my father hesitate. He knew better than anyone that a respectable career was the only real security in this world.

My grandmother, who was already against the idea, pulled Lana into her arms, coddling her.

"Did you hear that? Fiona said education is the only way out. Don't you dare ruin my granddaughter's life."

Back then, my mother looked at me with pure hatred. She stayed silent, but her eyes screamed that I should mind my own business.

Grandmother defended me, but she also made sure to remind everyone it was my idea. If anything went wrong later, I was the target.

Half the family was against it, so the idea of Lana dropping out died there.

I was genuinely happy for Lana. I even secretly gave her all the money I had saved up.

"Lana, you have to get out of this town. Make something of yourself!"

But as soon as she left for college, she fell for a deadbeat with bleached hair.

By the time we found out, Lana was already pregnant. My parents couldn't stand the shame, so they rushed a wedding and married her off.

The guy had no job and lived off his parents. He wasn't even a college student; he was just a thug hanging around the campus area.

Lana tried to fight back when she realized she'd been tricked, but he beat her until she was covered in bruises.

I couldn't help her from so far away. She lived in that hell for two years before she finally ran back home.

My mother hugged her precious daughter, her eyes burning with a rage that directed toward me.

"It's all your fault, you jinx! If we hadn't listened to you, your sister would be living the high life right now!"

My father didn't hesitate to kick me to the ground. "You just wanted to ruin her life. You couldn't stand to see her doing better than you, could you?"

"You black-hearted brat! My poor Lana!"

Grandmother wailed, but not for me. She was so heartbroken for Lana that she forgot she was the one who had agreed with me. I became the villain.

I ignored the pain and begged for forgiveness. I didn't dare say a word against Lana.

I knew she had ruined her own life by not studying, but I had to take the blame. If I didn't, my parents would actually kill me.

Seeing me so submissive only fueled my mother's anger. She thought I was acting guilty because I knew I was wrong.

She and my father dragged me to the tool shed, stuffed a rag in my mouth, and beat me together.

Grandmother was too old to do much, but she still hit me with a broom over and over again.

The nightmare didn't end until nightfall. I lay on the dirt floor, gasping for air, when Lana appeared in the moonlight. She held a knife that shimmered with a deadly chill.

She lunged at me. As the blade sank in, I heard her scream, "It's all because of you! You ruined my beautiful life!"

Blood sprayed across her face. That was the first time I saw my sister for who she really was―a monster.

"What are you daydreaming about? Don't think a few nice words gets you out of cooking, you lazy brat."

My mother kicked me in the hip, breaking my train of thought. I nodded obediently and hurried to the kitchen.

Since the family was in agreement, they were going to discuss Lana's withdrawal from school. It was better if I wasn't there. The more you know, the faster you die.

Being alive again made me feel surprisingly cheerful. I even went to the market to buy some high-quality steak.

Since Lana wasn't going to school, I didn't need to save money for her. I'd rather throw my money to the dogs than give it to that ungrateful snake.

On the way, the local women saw me in a good mood and stopped to ask about Lana's studies.

She was the village's best hope for a college graduate. But now, that path was blocked.

I lowered my head, acting nervous as I whispered to one of the aunts.

"Auntie, what kind of family are the Galloways, really?"

Village women love gossip. A few minutes of chatting can reveal everything.

Hearing my question, the woman pulled me aside and whispered in my ear.