CHAPTER 3: IS SOMETHING BEING PLANNED?

RADA’S POV

I’ve heard one insult after another from them far too often. It feels like it’s become a daily routine. In fact, the pain in my heart has suddenly dulled because they’ve hurled those cruel words at me so often.

I chose to ignore it. I walked slowly toward the corner of the kitchen, waiting for them to finish eating first. Otherwise, they’d fly into a rage. They always said they were disgusted at the thought of eating while seeing me sitting right next to them—as if I were a deadly virus capable of spreading disease.

I stood alone in the far corner of the room, running my fingers over my dull, worn-out clothes, then leaning my back against the cold wall in silent stillness.

The sound of their laughter rang loudly in my ears. They were busy discussing Ines’s beauty, extolling how Ines was sure to become a famous actress. Ines the great, Ines the lucky child who had made their lives overflow with wealth just as they are now. And me? Just a useless burden to them.

I smiled bitterly. If my presence really was such a burden, why didn’t they just send me to an orphanage back then? Or why didn’t they send me back to the edge of the cliff? So I could follow Dad to meet Mom, who had already gone before us.

I tilted my head back, staring at the ceiling so these tears wouldn’t spill over.

I mustn’t cry. I tried to stay strong. But what else could I do? I’m just an ordinary woman. I’m weak, and sometimes I truly feel I can’t bear all of this anymore. In fact, I’ve even thought about ending my life because I’m so exhausted by this injustice.

God, why do I have to go through this?

My tears were about to fall, but I quickly wiped them away roughly. I exhaled softly, then struggled to walk toward the dining table when I was called.

“Rada! What took you so long?! Can’t you even walk?!” Ines’s shrill voice echoed in my ears.

“Did you forget she’s disabled, Ines?” Mariana retorted quickly.

Instantly, they burst out laughing together just as I reached the table. Once again, my physical condition had become a source of amusement for them.

“What’s going on?” I asked softly, holding back my frustration.

“What do you mean, ‘what’s going on’?! Where’s the drink I asked for, huh?! Why didn’t you just get it ready? Don’t you know what I want every morning?!” Ines snapped sharply.

I let out a soft sigh. The fridge was right behind her. She just needed to stand up for a moment to get it herself instead of yelling at me and humiliating me. I knew what she’d asked for, and I’d already put it in the fridge—I’d just forgotten to get it for her. 

“It’s right behind you, Ines. You can stand up and get it. Besides, I already prepared some juice for you earlier,” I replied as quietly as possible.

Ines immediately shoved her chair back, making it screech loudly. She pointed at my face with eyes blazing with anger.

“You dare talk back to me, Rada?! Are you tired of living, huh?! Have you forgotten your duties in this house?!” she snapped brutally.

Not wanting to prolong the commotion, I chose to remain silent and turned to walk toward the refrigerator.

However, my steps halted when Ines suddenly stood in my way.

“What’s wrong, Ines? I’m going to get you a drink, so please don’t block my way—move aside…” I asked in a soft, pleading voice. 

Ines smiled cynically. Without warning, she shoved my shoulder with great force.

Unable to maintain my balance, I immediately lost my footing and crashed to the floor.

“Agh...” I groaned in pain, clutching my leg that had hit the hard floor. Instead of feeling guilty, Ines laughed smugly at the sight of me sprawled on the ground.

“Hahahaha, that’s what you get for defying me, Rada!”

“Ines!” Darion suddenly scolded her in a firm voice.

“What’s the matter, Dad?! She annoyed me, so it’s only natural I did that!” Ines protested, refusing to back down.

I looked at Darion as he took a deep breath. He stood up from his seat, then slowly walked toward me.

I braced myself, expecting him to act just as roughly as Ines had. But then a miracle happened—he actually reached out his hand and helped me to my feet.

“Dad?! Why are you helping her?!” Ines snapped, startled.

“Sit down, Rada,” Darion said, ignoring his daughter’s protests. He guided me over and asked me to sit at the dining table—an extremely rare occurrence, one that had never happened before.

“Dad! Why are you making her sit at our dining table?! I don’t want to sit with her, Dad!” Ines snapped, even more upset.

“Ines, enough! Don’t make a scene. It’s time for you to head to your movie audition. Don’t let this ruin your mood. A future famous actress can’t be late!” Mariana interjected, trying to calm her beloved daughter.

Ines let out an exasperated sigh, her eyes glaring at me sharply, full of resentment. She stomped her foot on the floor, then simply walked away. Mariana hurried after her golden child, leaving just Darion and me at the dining table.

“Are you okay?” Darion asked softly.

The question swirled in my head, sparking a surge of curiosity. This was the first time he’d asked how I was since Ines was born.

“I’m fine,” I replied softly.

“Good, then. You have to stay healthy; you mustn’t get sick, Rada,” he continued, which only made my brow furrow even more in puzzlement.

“Eat plenty. Remember, don’t get sick,” Darion emphasized once more before finally turning and walking away, leaving me alone in a surge of confusion.

Don’t get sick? Why was Darion suddenly being so nice to me? Were they planning something?