Chapter 2

My father and brothers gave all the good things to Cynthia.

She fell while running, yet she cried and claimed I had tripped her. She broke my doll but held the broken doll in front of my father and said, "Estelle doesn't like me and cut my doll."

Every time they believed her and punished me. Even the draw box that they used to give me rewards became a way to punish me.

I looked at them, my tears finally spilling down in heavy drops. However, I was scared to cry out loud and could only bite my lips hard, retorting in a whisper, "Dad... Brothers... I didn't. I didn't hurt her..."

My father's expression turned grimmer. "Estelle, you still won't admit your mistake. You're only five years old, yet you're already so evil. Cynthia is the only child her mother left. Since she entrusted her to me, I won't let her suffer! Go to your room to reflect. You're not allowed to eat tonight, and you can't come out unless you admit your mistake!"

They forgot that my mother also entrusted me to them before she died. They promised Mom that they would take good care of me. Now, they seemed to be just Cynthia's father and brothers.

My mother was dead. My dad and brothers did not want me anymore.

I turned around and walked away step by step.

My father's gentle voice rang behind me. "Cynthia, don't be afraid. Your brothers and I are here. No one can bully you."

The housekeeper’s room was cold and damp, containing only a small bed and a shabby cabinet. I huddled in the cold corner of the bed, hugging my knees as tears streamed down my face.

Just as I was sobbing uncontrollably, those magical little texts appeared again.

[Oh, it's really heartbreaking to see. Hurry up and finish the story; your mother is waiting for you in the new world.]

[She used up all her points to get this opportunity. Once your life ends here, you can immediately go to her side.]

I forcefully wiped away my tears, sobbing softly, "Really? If I die... I can see my mother?"

[Absolutely! Your mother knew you were suffering and couldn't come back, and she was frantic. She used up all her points to exchange for a reward from the system. Once your life ends here, you can immediately be teleported to her side to enjoy happiness!]

[It's a million times better than suffering in this awful place!]

A huge surge of joy dispelled my grievances. It turned out my mother did not abandon me! She had been finding ways to take me away!

I immediately stopped crying and had only one thought remaining in my mind: I have to find my mother!

The only window in the room was too high for me.

I tried my best to drag the rickety wooden stool to the window and clumsily climbed up. The stool legs creaked, and I stood on tiptoe, barely managing to reach the cold windowsill.

Once I opened the window, a gust of freezing air swept in, sending shivers down my spine. I could not see what lay below, only sensing the great height, yet strangely, I was not afraid at all.

Thinking of seeing my mother soon, I struggled to climb up, closed my eyes, and jumped with all my might.

The wind whistled in my ears, and then I crashed heavily onto something. A sharp pain instantly shot through my body.

"Ah!"

I heard Cynthia's piercing scream and Jacob's panicked shout. "Estelle?"

I had fallen into the bushes in the garden and was remarkably close to Cynthia and Jacob, who were playing on the swings.

Jacob rushed over like an arrow, his face ghastly pale. He knelt beside me, his hands trembling slightly as he checked my arms and legs.