Chapter 2

Because this was about Emily.

I lifted my head slightly, wanting to speak but stopping halfway. In the end, I just let out a small, bitter laugh.

Lemon tea. That was where my nightmares began.

But who would ever believe me?

So I stayed silent.

Steve suddenly stepped forward and slapped me hard across the face.

“You stupid farm girl. Go on, keep pretending to be mute. This memory extractor was made just for you. Enjoy it while you can.”

Steve had always despised me, and that slap was full of hatred. My cheek burned, my head spun, and the taste of blood filled my mouth.

Ben stood off to the side, watching coldly.

Mary turned to Steve and snapped, “Steve, what are you doing? If you hurt her, it could interfere with the memory extraction.”

“She deserves it,” Steve snapped, his voice rising with rage. “It would be better if she died right here.”

He jabbed a finger at me, his tone dripping with resentment. “It’s been three years. Think about everything she’s done.

“The day we brought her home, she was like a stray dog. She even peed in the car, remember? And once she got here, she made Emily cry the moment she stepped through the door. Did she really think coming back meant she could be treated like a princess?”

The more he talked, the angrier he became. “Remember when Mom had a fever? Emily stayed up all night taking care of her until she nearly passed out. And what did this wild brat do? She slept without a care in the world, not even pretending to show concern or respect.”

He grabbed my chin, squeezing my bloody mouth until I could barely breathe, then spat in my face. “Even the smallest thing shows what kind of person you are. You’re heartless and selfish. You’re not even worth a single strand of Emily’s hair.”

Pain shot through my jaw, but his grip kept me silent.

I wanted to defend myself, but after three years of trying and never once being believed, I gave up.

Fine. Maybe I really was the selfish, ungrateful one.

Emily was the perfect daughter they loved so much.

“Enough. Don’t hurt her. Extracting her memories is what matters most,” Ben said. His voice was calm but carried a weight that silenced the room.

Mary sighed, gently wiping the blood from my lips. “Lily, don’t blame Steve for hating you. You really have done wrong.”

Yes. I did wrong.

I laughed quietly to myself again. Somehow, the fear I had felt toward the machine faded after Steve’s slap.

“Pain makes people ache, but it also numbs them. So go ahead. Let this so-called memory extractor do its worst,” I thought bitterly.

I closed my eyes and stayed completely still.

Steve sneered. “Not fighting back anymore? Guess you finally know your place.”

He reached to start the machine, but Ben stopped him.

Ben’s patience had worn thin, yet he still gave me one last chance. “Lily, this machine is one of Steve’s company’s latest inventions. It’s unstable and could easily damage your brain. So I’ll ask you one last time. Are you going to tell us where Emily went? If you do, I’ll give you ten million dollars and send you back to that little town you came from. After that, we’ll be done for good.”

“Back to that little town?” The thought hit me hard.

My eyes flew open. A deep, instinctive fear surged through me, and I shook my head immediately.

I didn’t want to go back there.

“See?” Steve said with a cold smile. “She only came back for the money and comfort. She turned her back on the people who raised her, and now even ten million isn’t enough. She just wants to stay here and play princess. Probably hopes to inherit the family estate someday. Pathetic.”

My parents exchanged uneasy glances. Their faces darkened.