Chapter 3

The wounds on my face hurt too much.

I missed my jump and crashed hard onto the floor.

Joyce stared at me, momentarily stunned. Just as she reached down to help me up, the door suddenly burst open.

Austin and Daniela walked in with Braxton.

"Sweetheart, as soon as the surgery's over, I will take you out for a huge feast!"

Their voices were dripping with affection.

However, the moment they looked at me, their smiles vanished. Their faces turned icy.

"So, you were trying to run? You stole your brother's place as the heir of this family and you stole the love that should've been his. What's wrong with giving a little of it back? Why are you so selfish?"

Austin lifted his foot and stomped down on my left leg with all his strength.

Crack.

The sound of my bone breaking echoed through the room.

A scream was caught in my throat. The pain curled my whole body into itself, and I shook uncontrollably.

"Still thinking about running?"

He raised his foot again, aiming for my right leg.

Joyce stepped in front of me, frowning.

"The doctor's here."

At the end of the hallway, a tall, slender figure in a white lab coat was walking toward us.

My eyes lit up.

Zara Smith!

My second godmother!

She was the smartest person I knew. She would recognize me.

Austin and Daniela hurried over with Braxton, smiling from ear to ear.

Zara accepted the appointment form and flipped through it casually. Her expression immediately turned icy.

"A brain transplant? Who approved this case? Have you people lost your minds?

"This operation is incredibly difficult. There hasn't been a single successful case anywhere in the world. I can't do it."

Daniela hurriedly pulled a black card from her purse.

"Dr. Smith, you're the best surgeon in the world. We've spoken to so many doctors, and every one of them said you're the only person who can perform this operation.

"The price isn't an issue. As for the risks, we only need you to make sure our precious son stays safe."

She glanced at me before lowering her voice.

"As for him... it doesn't matter what happens."

Every inch of my body burned with pain. However, my heart felt even colder.

Zara lowered her eyes to look at me.

I quickly stretched out my fingers and tapped the Morse code she had taught me.

'Help me. I'm...'

Zara frowned slightly.

However, before I could finish, Daniela noticed what I was doing. Without a second thought, she ground the heel of her high shoe onto my fingers.

A heart-wrenching scream tore from my throat.

She still was not satisfied. One by one, she crushed all ten of my fingers beneath her heel.

"I knew something was off about you the moment we entered the black market."

"So, you were trying to ask someone for help.

"Don't waste your energy. We've spent enough money here to become one of their biggest clients. Nobody's going to help you.

"You'd be better off behaving yourself and giving your brain to Braxton. If you do, maybe we'll treat you a little better afterward."

Braxton walked over, his face glowing with smug satisfaction.

"That's right, big brother. I even picked out a really good brain for you.

"I know you're jealous of me. If you're obedient, Dad and Mom will like you too."

He pretended to help me up. Instead, his fingernails dug hard into the tender flesh at my waist.

However, by then, I was already numb from the pain.

I let out a harsh laugh. Then I threw myself at him with every ounce of strength I had left...

...and clamped my teeth down hard on his ear.