Empty-Headed Revenge

I tightly clutched my head with both hands and lay helplessly on the Persian carpet.

The world around me kept spinning, and my eyelids fluttered uncontrollably.

Foul-smelling vomit dripped from my mouth.

My older brother, Ken Lawson, looked condescendingly at me. His almond-shaped eyes, a bit similar to mine, were filled with disgust and contempt. "Jane Lawson, cut the act out. Don't try to pull your tricks on me."

He took a handkerchief from his suit pocket and covered his mouth and nose. "It's been three years since we last met. You haven't learned anything, and you've even become even more skilled at lying to gain sympathy?

“I called you a blockhead, and you really are one. Is your head really empty?"

I numbly raised my head, but my gaze could not focus.

Ken was right. Maybe I really was an idiot. I felt like my brain was missing a few pieces compared to everyone else's.

Whenever I made large movements or got emotionally excited, I could not help but feel dizzy and vomit.

"Disgusting."

Ken kicked my hand away. His leather shoe scraped hard across the back of my hand.

"Mary! Where the hell are you? Drag this filthy thing away and wash her off! It's Christmas. Don't let that grime on her ruin Anne's good luck!"

Mary Zigger, the family’s head maid, ran out of the kitchen.

Upon seeing the vomit on the floor, she said in an exaggerated voice, "Ms. Jane, you're in your 20s. How can you still have the bad habit of making a mess wherever you go? Now we have so much to clean up. You're just giving us extra work!"

She grabbed my arm and yanked me forcibly toward the guest bathroom.

As she dragged me along, her thick arm banged against my head, and I shook uncontrollably. "I won't go! Don't touch me! Don't touch my head!"

During all those years on the mountain, the nuns would strap me to a bamboo bench every day, then drag me to the stream behind the mountain and let me thrash around in the water until I nearly drowned.

"No! No!" I struggled desperately, my fingernails leaving a red scratch on Mary's arm.

Slap!

The slap across the face cut off my scream.

Ken withdrew his hand and looked at me coldly. "Jane, I brought you down from the mountain to earn some good karma for Anne, not so you could come back here and act like a lunatic.

“If you cause trouble again, I'll have you sent right back. You can spend the rest of your life living like an isolated nun up there!"

'Send me back?' I thought as my whole body went rigid and my breathing became ragged.

'No, I absolutely can't go back,' I thought.

I stopped struggling and let Mary drag me into the bathroom.

As the icy water pounded against my body, I huddled in the corner, shielding myself tightly with both my arms.

"Are you done yet? What a nuisance." Mary roughly tossed a set of old clothes onto my head.

"Hurry and put them on! Ms. Anne is waiting outside to talk to you."

I hurriedly pulled on the old clothes, which were obviously a size too small. The outfit was so tight that it was hard for me to breathe.

I shuffled out of the bathroom with my head down. A new carpet had already been laid out in the living room.

My adopted younger sister, Anne Lawson, trotted over immediately. "Jane, you scared me to death earlier. How come you can't even stand properly?

“Are you feeling unwell? Should I have Ken call a doctor for you?"

"Calling a doctor? I think she's just faking it!" Ken shot me a look of disgust. "What kind of trouble could she get into in a secluded place like that?

“She probably couldn't stand the loneliness up on the mountain, wandered off somewhere, and got a minor injury. She'll be fine in a few days."

I opened my mouth, but not a sound came out.

"Jane, why aren't you saying anything?" Anne leaned in to me, looking innocent.

I looked up at her innocent, angelic face.

Three years ago, that same face had wept as she collapsed into Ken's arms, pointing at me and claiming I had pushed her.

I instinctively took a step back and sank to my knees on the hard floor. "T-thank you, Ken."

Ken frowned as he watched me kneeling there submissively.