Chapter 3

The basement was cold, damp, and oppressive.

Stephen brought me only one meal a day.

At first, I was utterly terrified, so frightened that I forced my eyes open wide in the darkness, straining to see anything.

When a rat scurried by, my heart pounded uncontrollably. As a mute, however, no matter how terrified I was, I couldn't make a sound.

All I could do was curl up against the wall, clutching myself tightly and trembling as fear consumed me.

I couldn't understand why Phoebe would go to such lengths to frame me.

She already had everything she wanted.

Compared to her, I was nothing more than the mud at the bottom of a pond, looking up longingly at the lotus in full bloom above the water.

People used to say that if it weren't for Stephen, I would never have lived such a comfortable life.

I forced a bitter smile at the thought.

Why did no one believe me, no matter what I said?

Everyone assumed I had ulterior motives toward Stephen, that I was greedy for the wealth and status of the Linnells.

It wasn't like that at all. He was the boy I had saved one rainy night. He was the one who had made me a promise.

He had said he'd take care of me and that I'd never have to scavenge for scraps again. He had said I could go to school, just like everyone else, and someday choose my own life. He had said he'd always treat me like a little sister.

Now, he had locked me in this lightless basement.