Chapter 2

I wasn't sure if it was because my emotions were running too high. But that night, I dreamed of the past once again.

A sinister laugh and agonizing screams from my memories seemed to echo in my ears once more.

I fought to suppress my trembling body and forced a meek smile onto my face.

"I'll do exactly as you say, Mom, Dad."

I brought the butcher's knife down onto my leg before I slowly carved into my flesh and bones. Even in my sleep, phantom pain spread through my body.

I bit down on my lip and desperately tried to wake myself up. My body shook uncontrollably, and my consciousness became increasingly hazy.

Then, a distant yet familiar voice abruptly pulled me back to reality.

When I opened my eyes, Mom was staring at me, looking worried and confused.

"Did you have a nightmare, Olivia?" she asked.

I looked around frantically, and my body reacted before I could think clearly.

I scrambled upright and kneeled on the bed. In a meek and ingratiating voice, I said, "I'm sorry, Mom. I made a mistake. I'll go to the pigpen right away."

Subsequently, I tried to dash out of the room, but Mom quickly grabbed me and pulled me back into her arms.

"What pigpen, Olivia? It's okay. Don't be scared. I'm here."

The warmth of her embrace gradually eased my anxiety and calmed me down.

"That's right," I thought to myself. "My mom is here."

I was home. My bedroom was no longer a foul-smelling pigpen. More importantly, I would never be forced to carve flesh from my own body for an extra bite of food ever again.

I quietly leaned against my mother and savored the heartwarming moment for as long as I could.

In the next moment, her hand came in contact with the necklace around my neck. Immediately afterward, her thoughts drifted into my mind.

"That was close. Olivia was moving around too much. Thank goodness she didn't damage the necklace," she thought to herself.

I felt my heart breaking into pieces once again.

How could I have forgotten?

Mom was only sleeping beside me because my family was afraid I'd remove the necklace at night.

Trembling, I pushed her away and choked, "I broke out in a sweat because of the nightmare. I'm going to take a shower."

Without waiting for a response, I fled into the bathroom.

I stared at my reflection in the mirror. My eyes were bloodshot, and I looked like a mess.

When was I ever going to learn?

I gradually calmed down as I splashed cold water onto my face.

Just as I pulled off my top, the bathroom door burst open behind me with a loud bang, and Mom frantically rushed inside.

"I almost forgot, Olivia. Remember not to take off the neck—"

The rest of her words died in her throat.

Once she saw the angry scars and gnarly wounds that were scattered across my back, she froze.

"Why do you have so many scars?"

I didn't know if I was imagining things or if she simply found the sight too shocking. But for a brief moment, she sounded almost heartbroken.

I had no intention of explaining. Some truths were better left for others to uncover on their own.

I slowly turned around and showed her the necklace around my neck.

"I didn't take it off, Mom," I said softly. "No need to worry."

Then, I pushed her out of the bathroom and shut the door.

Just as I had expected, she was gone by the time I had finished showering.

…

The next day, after their assistant had left, my parents locked themselves in the study and didn't emerge for the rest of the day.

Eventually, Alex kicked the door open and stormed inside. Afterward, the three of them got into a heated argument.

I stood outside the study and silently listened to the argument—as well as the thoughts they couldn't bring themselves to say out loud.

I led them toward discovering my scars and investigating the life I had lived before they brought me home. Then, the plan that had once revolved entirely around me slowly began to drift off course.