Chapter 5

Over the next few days, Lila ignored everything else and focused only on her part-time job.

After today's shift, she would finally have enough money to buy painkillers.

The thought made her feel a little happier, and even her steps became lighter.

Lila delivered a bottle of wine to the assigned private room. Just as she was about to leave, a man suddenly stepped in front of her.

"Where are you going? Stay and have a few drinks with me."

The man's grip was so strong that it hurt her wrist. Lila turned around, apologized, and tried to pull her hand free.

"I'm sorry. I don't drink."

But instead of letting go, the man pulled her even closer.

"If you don't drink, then spend the night with me instead."

As soon as he finished speaking, he started touching her.

This was the first time Lila had ever faced something like this since she started working there. She panicked, so she struggled with all her strength while shouting. "Let me go! If you don't stop, I'll call for help!"

The man sneered, his eyes filled with greed. "Go ahead. See if anyone comes. I'll tell you the truth. Ms. Clarke paid me to rape you. She gave me enough money to make sure you have a very unforgettable night."

Lila had never been so terrified. She had never imagined Sienna could be this cruel.

She cried and screamed as she fought back. Finally, she kicked the door open.

Two people walking through the hallway stopped when they heard the noise. It was Julian and Miles.

Lila immediately cried out to them for help.

"Julian! Miles! Please save me! This man is trying to assault me!"

The two of them froze for a moment. Then they looked at Lila with cold, distant eyes.

"Stop pretending. That trick doesn't work on us anymore."

"As long as you treat Sienna better and stop pulling these little tricks, we'll treat you a little better too."

After saying that, they turned around and walked away without a second thought.

As they left, they were even discussing what food they should buy to cheer Sienna up.

Watching them disappear, Lila suddenly felt dizzy. She almost collapsed.

She couldn't understand why they refused to believe her. They wouldn't even look at her before deciding she was lying.

At that moment, she realized she could never depend on anyone again.

The man was about to drag her back into the private room. Lila grabbed a flower vase by the door and smashed it over his head with all her strength.

The man cried out in pain and collapsed onto the floor. Lila clutched her clothes tightly and ran away as fast as she could.

By the time she reached home, she was still shaking with fear. She stood outside for a long time, trying to calm herself down before quietly opening the door.

When she walked into the living room, she found Harvey, Mabel, and Sienna sitting on the couch, waiting for her.

The moment Harvey and Mabel saw Lila, they began yelling.

"Damn it! Sienna already told us everything. You actually went to a place like that to fool around. You've brought shame to this family!"

"You're not coming back into this house tonight. Sleep outside if you have to. Maybe that'll teach you a lesson."

Heavy rain poured from the sky. Lila stood outside by herself, getting soaked.

Through the huge floor-to-ceiling windows, she watched the family of three sitting together on the couch, happily watching TV. They looked at Sienna with nothing but love and affection.

But they were Lila's parents. That love should have belonged to her.

Her adoptive mother had never treated her well when she was growing up. That was why she had always envied Sienna.

When Lila learned the truth about her birth, she had been overjoyed.

After moving into the Clarke Residence, she tried everything she could to earn their love. She never expected things to end like this.

So it was true. Some parents could love an adopted daughter more than their own flesh and blood.

But Lila no longer cared. Because this kind of life would soon come to an end.