CHapter 4

It felt like a million needles were stabbing me in the heart. Bloody tears streamed down my face.

Mom rubbed her forehead and glanced at the closed bathroom door. "Mellie, when will you ever be as sensible as Izzy?"

Dad was extremely displeased as well. "It's all your fault for spoiling her rotten, Louise. Instead of learning how to behave herself, a little girl like her spends all her time trying to compete with Izzy for attention."

He shouted at the bathroom, "I'm giving you one last chance, Melanie. Come out now, and we'll change your name back. If you don't come out, then you'll be Melanie Kramer for the rest of your life!"

At that moment, a loud clang rang out in the bathroom. The showerhead had fallen. But to Mom and Dad, it was me deliberately defying them.

Dad slammed his hand on the table and pointed at the bathroom, ranting to Mom, "Look at her! She stayed inside the bathroom all day long just to hog the bathtub, and now she's throwing a tantrum just because of a few words I said!

"Don't anyone try to stop me today. I'm going to teach her a proper lesson!"

Izzy's eyes flashed with smug delight. She quickly handed Dad the key that had dropped into the trash can yesterday. The door unlocked with a click.

Dad was just about to enter the bathroom when the doorbell rang, so he withdrew his hand.

Two smiling women were at the door. The older woman introduced herself first.

"It's nice to meet you. My name is Yvonne Graham, and this is my colleague, Christine Porter. We're social workers from Child Protective Services, and we've come to check on Izzy's living situation."

Mom and Dad quickly escorted them into the apartment. Mom brought over some water for them, while Izzy stood obediently beside her.

The women examined Izzy from head to toe, looking very pleased with what they saw.

"I can tell you two have taken very good care of Izzy," Ms. Graham said. "This is just a routine visit, so don't worry about it. Izzy, I'm going to ask you a few questions, okay?"

Izzy nodded cooperatively.

"How has it been for you, living with the Spencers? Has anyone been mean to you?"

Izzy shook her head. "Uncle James and Aunt Louise take very good care of me. No one is mean to me."

After asking a few more questions, Ms. Graham turned to Mom and Dad with an approving look.

"We've visited many families in similar situations. You two are one of the few who truly treat the child as their own."

Ms. Graham made a few notes in her notebook, giving Mom and Dad a glowing review.

"Thank you for your time," she said before she and Ms. Porter stood up to leave.

All of a sudden, Izzy choked out a sob and said, "Ms. Graham, can you please talk to my younger cousin, Melanie, for me? She always treats me like I'm her enemy. I just want us to get along peacefully."

Ms. Graham frowned at Mom and Dad.

Mom's smile stiffened, and she quickly explained, "Children always compete for attention. It's just normal—"

Ms. Graham cut her off, saying, "Children's behavior must never be brushed off or taken lightly. What seems like a minor issue could easily end up ruining both children's lives."

She crouched down beside Izzy and said softly, "Where's your cousin, Izzy? Take me to her, okay?"

Sniffling, Izzy led Ms. Graham to the bathroom door. "Mellie has stayed inside the bathroom an entire day just to hog the bathtub."

However, the moment Ms. Graham heard that, her expression froze. She flung the door open, and her notebook clattered onto the floor as she cried out in shock.