Chapter 2

Around noon the next day, the digital home lock beeped. Julian walked in carrying an elegantly packaged takeout box.

Rebecca followed behind him, wearing an oversized men's dress shirt. The hem barely covered the top of her thighs, and the collar hung open, exposing her collarbone and a delicate necklace I'd never seen before. She wasn't even wearing pants.

Julian stopped in front of me. His gaze landed on the bandages wrapped around my arm, and he frowned slightly. "Are you still mad? Rebecca went all the way across town and waited in line for two hours to buy your favorite crab quiches. She wants to make it up to you.

"She really didn't mean it yesterday. She's just immature and thought it was funny. After she realized how badly you were hurt, she felt so guilty that she barely slept all night."

Behind him, Rebecca lowered her head and fiddled with her fingers. Her expression was full of remorse and unease as she said, "Audrey, I'm sorry. I really was just curious. I didn't know you'd burn that badly…"

"Just leave it on the table," I said calmly, pulling my hand back.

Julian let out a sigh of relief and then headed toward the kitchen to grab plates and forks.

Rebecca didn't follow him. Instead, she walked over to the water dispenser and pressed the red button for boiling water.

Scalding water filled a glass, with steam curling upward.

Holding the glass, she approached me with a sweet, innocent smile. "Audrey, have some hot water to warm your stomach."

As I reached out to take it, her fingers deliberately loosened around the glass. The boiling water tipped forward and poured right on my hand.

She stared at me intently, excitement gleaming in her eyes. She wanted to see whether someone who couldn't feel pain would still flinch or recoil at heat.

I didn't move. I steadily caught the bottom of the tilting glass.

Boiling water flowed over the back of my hand. My skin instantly turned an angry red.

Expressionless, I looked at her. Then, I flicked my wrist.

The remaining half glass of hot water splashed onto the carpet by our feet. A few drops of water landed on Rebecca's foot.

"Ah!" Her scream pierced the living room as she jumped backward. Tears instantly filled her eyes. She shrieked, "It's so hot! Julian, I got burned!"

The dishes in Julian's hands crashed to the floor. He rushed over and pulled Rebecca into his arms. Lifting her foot, he inspected it carefully.

There were only two tiny red spots, not even a blister.

After confirming she was fine, he stood and turned toward me. His brows were knitted together tightly, and his voice simmered with anger.

"Audrey, I know you're upset about what happened yesterday. But you can't throw boiling water at someone! You were born unable to feel pain. Heat doesn't scare you. But Rebecca has sensitive skin. What if it leaves a scar?"

From beginning to end, his eyes never once landed on my left hand that was now red and blistering from the boiling water.

I lowered my gaze and slowly wiped away the spilled water with a paper towel.

"She's walking around someone else's house dressed like that. I assumed she couldn't wait to replace the woman of the house. I'm just helping wash away her bad luck."

Julian's expression froze. He glanced over at Rebecca's oversized men's shirt. He gulped but offered no explanation.

Nestled against his chest, Rebecca cried pitifully. "Jules, is Audrey still angry because I hurt her yesterday? I really didn't mean it. I never thought she'd actually throw hot water at me. Maybe I should leave. I don't want to make everyone uncomfortable…"

"Rebecca, go rest in the guest room. I'll talk to her."

Still sniffling, Rebecca left. As she passed by me, her lips curled ever so slightly, flashing a smile so quick that only I could've caught it.

Julian rubbed his temples and sighed. "Audrey, you used to be so reasonable. When did you become this vengeful? Rebecca was spoiled growing up. She doesn't think before she does things. It was just a prank. Do you really have to keep dragging this out and making things hard for everyone?

"I already said I'd buy you that bag you've been eyeing next week. I'll take you to the hospital tomorrow and make sure you get the best treatment. Let's put this behind us now, okay?"

I said nothing. I simply walked into the bedroom and pulled open a drawer. Inside lay my bank card, my ID, my health insurance card, and an annual payment statement from Serenity Rehabilitation Center on the west side of the city.

My mother lived there.

Years ago, a house fire had killed my father. The trauma left Mom with severe PTSD.

That was one of the reasons I'd stayed with Julian for the past five years. He had always treated Mom well, often accompanying me on visits.

I packed everything into a canvas bag.

Julian leaned against the bedroom doorway with his arms crossed. His expression darkened. "Where are you going? I haven't even made you apologize to Rebecca yet, and you're throwing a tantrum with me?"

"I'm going to see my mom. Everyone in this house makes me sick," I replied.

He strode forward and grabbed my shoulder. "Audrey, all your cards are tied to my accounts. Before you walk out that door, have you thought this through?"

"I've thought it through very clearly."