Chapter 1

"Estelle, everyone who chose to extract their memories before has died in excruciating pain! I can't just stand by and watch you do something so foolish!" Bryce exclaimed.

Dad also looked pained as he said, "Estelle, we'll visit you often in prison. There's no need for you to—"

I cut him off and signaled to Judge Lowery once more that I wished to proceed with the memory extraction.

Seeing the determination in my eyes, Bryce suddenly erupted in anger. "Every hair and every inch of skin on your body was imparted by Mom and Dad!

"Mom died in childbirth trying to bring you into this world, while Dad and I worked tirelessly to raise you. So, how dare you treat your own life so lightly?"

Bryce's eyes were bloodshot, making him appear utterly heartbroken.

But only I knew it was all an act.

I yearned desperately to stand on the witness stand and expose Bryce's malice with my own words. Yet, I couldn't, because I was born mute.

Moreover, a high fever in my childhood left my hands with a tremor, rendering it impossible to even hold a pen steady.

At seven years old, I understood everything perfectly. But I had no way to express it. Thus, extracting my memories was the only way to prove my innocence.

The trial was broadcast live, and many viewers couldn't understand why, given the overwhelming evidence against me, I'd subject myself to such unnecessary suffering in a futile struggle.

Some believed they had it all figured out.

"What's so strange about it? Estelle just wants to make Warren and Bryce regret everything with her death!"

"Tormenting her family while alive and not giving them peace even in death! This child is nothing but a jinx!"

Judge Lowery rapped the gavel. "Order! The court respects the defendant Ms. Fuller's decision. We will now begin the memory extraction. It must be stated that, due to technical limitations, memories will be randomly selected.

"The extracted fragments may work in your favor, or they may be meaningless moments like eating or drinking. The process itself is excruciatingly painful, and you could lose your life at any moment. So, Ms. Fuller, are you certain you want to proceed?"

I nodded firmly.

Beside me, Bryce let out a sigh of relief upon hearing that the memory extraction would be random and carried no guarantee.

A blaze of hatred burned within me, and I silently resolved that even if the agony killed me, I'd expose Bryce for who he truly was.

"Commencing the first memory extraction!"

The massive chainsaw drilled open my skull. Then, countless steel needles were inserted into my brain, and they began to churn.

To ensure the clarity of the memories, I was given no anesthesia throughout the entire process.

A soundless scream tore from me, and I fought with everything I had to stay conscious.

Witnessing the horrifying scene, some viewers in the live chat began to express pity.

"She's only seven years old. Given that she's willing to risk her life for this memory extraction, could there really be more to the story?"