Chapter 2

2

The reporter clearly didn't expect to hear such venomous words from a girl's own parents.

His face turned bright red from the shock.

"Mr. Hale, how can you say that about Riley? This entire operation succeeded because she risked her life to get the evidence."

"We heard she was stabbed in the stomach by a dangerous criminal during the mission. She has a massive scar. How could you…"

My mother's cold, mocking voice cut him off before he could finish.

"Stop lying. Riley probably paid you to say this. That scar on her stomach? That's from some shady surgery she had because she was sleeping around with thugs."

Even the professional reporter was shaking with anger now.

The live stream comments were scrolling like crazy. "What kind of parents are these? How can they talk about their own kid like that?"

"The police literally confirmed the origin of her injuries!"

Before the reporter could speak, another voice came through the phone. It was Melody, my cousin.

Her voice was sweet and sugary. "Mom, what are we having for dinner later?"

The coldness in my mother's voice instantly vanished, replaced by a tenderness I hadn't heard since Melody moved in five years ago.

The people on the scene and the viewers in the stream were stunned. According to the files, I was an only child.

Melody was technically my cousin. Her parents died five years ago, and my parents took her in because they felt sorry for her.

That was when my nightmare started. She slowly replaced me, becoming the perfect daughter they always wanted.

The conversation on the phone continued.

"Didn't you say you wanted steamed lobster? We're having that tonight, sweetie."

Melody hesitated, her voice dropping. "But Mom, if we eat something so good, Riley might get upset again. Maybe I shouldn't eat it."

My mother immediately began cooing and comforting her. Even my stern father softened his voice.

"Eat whatever you want, Melody. Riley brought all her misery on herself. She deserves to be miserable."

"Exactly. Don't waste your breath worrying about a bad seed like her."

"Mom, maybe we should pack some leftovers for her?" Melody asked innocently.

My mother sighed. "You're far too kind for your own good, Melody."

Then, she spoke back into the phone. "You heard that, Riley? Stop causing trouble. If you're lucky, we'll bring you some scraps. Why can't you be more like Melody instead of being a constant embarrassment?"

I couldn't hear the rest. I just stared at the phone.

I remembered when I was little and had an allergic reaction to seafood. My mother held me all night in the hospital, her eyes red from crying.

Now, she thought giving me leftovers was an act of mercy.

Mom, I remembered that night for so long. Did you really forget?