Seeing me in my simple dress, she
straightened her back and came towards me.
Tilting her chin, she looked me up and down.
“Looks like things haven’t been so great for
L
you these last few years. Ethan wouldn’t even
let you wear a decent dress?”
Before I could say anything, Ethan’s voice cut
in, cold as ice.
“Who are you calling a psycho?”
Seeing him, Zoe instantly paled.
Last time, he had tormented her so much that
she still lived in fear of him.
Seeing his disgusted glare, her voice started
to tremble.
“Sorry… I didn’t mean it!”
Ethan ignored her, turning and pulling a
diamond brooch from his pocket, awkwardly
pinning it on my dress.
“Sis, I made this for you. Happy birthday!”
“You’re going to college overseas soon. Call
me if you miss me, I can fly over anytime. If
you don’t like your dorm, I’ll buy you a house,
hire a private chef to cook your meals.”
He sounded a little too overprotective, and I
smiled, shaking my head.
“It’s okay, big brother. I’ll take care of myself.
You know, stay low–key?”
Ethan chuckled, a faint smile touching his
lips.
“Alright.”
He turned away to greet other guests, and
Zoe finally snapped out of her trance.
She grabbed my arm, her voice urgent.
“Why is he so good to you?”
Ignoring her meltdown, I gave her a taunting
look.
“He’s my brother. Isn’t it normal for him to be
nice to me? Aren’t your parents good to
you?”
My question seemed to trigger a painful
memory.
Zoe broke down.
く
Clutching her hair, she looked like she was
struggling to hold herself together.
“How could this happen? Why?”
Suddenly, the rich couple’s voices echoed
behind her.
Zoe gasped, her face draining of color.
“Zoe, Mr. Spielberg’s here. Come meet him!”
The couple dragged her away, and she
trembled, looking at me with a plea in her
eyes.
I sighed and stopped them.
“Mr. and Mrs., it’s been so long since I’ve
sister I’d like to talk to her for a bit
seen my sister. I’d like to talk to her for a bit,
is that okay?”
The couple, wanting to stay on my good side,
didn’t dare say no.
“Sure, sure.”
The husband nodded, but his wife quickly
pinched Zoe hard.
“Hurry it up. If you screw this up, you’ll regret
it!”
Zoe, her face twisted in pain, could only nod
obediently.
Watching them leave, she let out a shaky
breath.
L
Her legs seemed to tremble.
I smirked.
“What’s wrong? Aren’t your parents good to
you?”
My expression enraged her, and she lunged,
trying to rip my dress.
“I don’t believe it! You must be lying! You’re
scared to wear nice clothes because you’re
covered in bruises!”
Seeing her breakdown, I knew the truth.
She was living the life I had last time.
Last time, the couple had taken me home and
started their twisted “education.”
く
I was only allowed to sleep for four hours a
night, spending the rest of my time learning.
Chess, art, math, piano, horseback riding…
I was constantly sleep–deprived, and once fell
off a horse, nearly ending up paralyzed.
The couple kept track of every penny they
spent on me, including the medical bills.
Then, on my eighteenth birthday, they forced
me to pay them back tenfold.
From that point on, they pushed me into the
abyss.
They forced me to learn all sorts of seductive
tricks, entertaining rich men and socialites.
く
Those glamorous opportunities were bought
with my body and my tears.
Once, one of those “important” people
tortured me so bad that I couldn’t get out of
bed, walk, or even use the bathroom for days.
It hurt too much.
I felt dirty, exhausted, and trapped.
The night I won my Oscar, there were three
men waiting in my room to “celebrate” with
- me.
When I was at my lowest, Zoe wheeled herself
in, tears streaming down her face, and set me
on fire.
ميصمامDee
Г
Based on what she said, this time, she had
just entered Hollywood.
Her parents probably only abused her so far.
Zoe pulled up my sleeve, and seeing my smooth arm, broke down completely.
“Why? Why didn’t Ethan torture you? You’re supposed to be covered in bruises!”
“The rumors say the Vandergelts don’t treat
you well, how could you be doing better than
me?!”
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