Chapter 4

The next day, the attic door was locked from the outside. A heavy metal chain and padlock cut off my only connection to the world.

I was only allowed out under Mrs. Gable's strict supervision to use the bathroom.

As night fell, darkness swallowed the last bits of light outside the window.

My stomach rumbled loudly.

Mrs. Gable was unusually late with my dinner.

I stood up, hesitated, and finally decided to sneak out.

Standing on my tiptoes, I grabbed the edge of the skylight, pulled myself up, and squeezed onto the roof.

The roof was covered in cold slate tiles, and the night wind made me shiver.

I crawled along the ridge toward the large oak tree near the courtyard, wrapping my arms around the rough bark to slide down.

The wood scraped my palms, but the gnawing hunger in my stomach pushed the pain aside. I just wanted to find something to eat.

The mansion's living room was brightly lit, and laughter echoed from inside.

I crouched low, hiding behind a row of manicured hedges.

The room was decorated with streamers and balloons, and a massive three-tier cake sat on the coffee table.

A young boy in a miniature suit stood in the center. He looked exactly like Charles. He was proudly soaking in everyone’s praise.

Evelyn wore a lavender silk dress, a pearl clip shining in her hair. She was gently braiding a little girl's hair.

I had never seen this side of her. Her face was glowing with a warmth I had never received.

"Ethan, make a wish," Charles said, pushing a cart with the cake.

The boy closed his eyes, then blew out the candles.

Evelyn held his hand to help him cut the first slice, her movements incredibly patient and sweet.

"Thanks, Evelyn!" the boy cheered.

"You're welcome, sweetie," Evelyn said, ruffling his hair. "You're a year older now. You have to be even more responsible."

She handed him the first slice, and the second went to the little girl.

"Eat up, Lily," she smiled, her voice dripping with affection.

The little girl beamed. "Thank you, Ms. Vance!"

I stared blankly, my fingers digging into my palms.

If it were my birthday, would she smile at me like that?

I took a step back, accidentally knocking over a ceramic pot.

*Clatter.*

The living room fell dead silent.

Dozens of eyes whipped in my direction.

I was wearing dirty, oversized clothes, my feet were bare, my hair was a tangled mess, and tree bark clung to my skin. I looked like a stray dog next to their picture-perfect party.

The smile vanished from Evelyn’s face.

She stared at me, her expression turning from shock to utter disgust, and finally, cold indifference.

"Who let you down here?" Charles's voice boomed from behind me, thick with suppressed rage.

"I... I was hungry..." I stammered, terrified.

"If you're hungry, you tell Mrs. Gable! Get back upstairs."

"But Mrs. Gable wasn't there..."

"I said get upstairs!" he roared, the sheer volume making my heart tremble.

The room remained silent. Ethan pointed his finger at me and yelled, "Dad, is that the con artist’s mistake?"

"Ethan!" Valerie, his mother, gave a half-hearted warning but did nothing to stop him.

Evelyn swayed slightly. She put down her plate and walked upstairs without a word, her retreating back stiff and panicked.

"Evelyn!" Charles called out, rushing after her.

Ethan walked up to me, tilting his head with a sneer. "So you're the crook's kid? You're so ugly."

I lowered my head, squeezing the hem of my dirty shirt.

"I heard your dad stole millions and killed my grandfather."

"I..."

"I what?" He shoved me hard. I flew back, my head hitting the drywall with a sharp crack.

"Ethan, stop," one of the adults chimed in weakly. "She's family."

"I don't have a cousin like her!" Ethan yelled. "She's just a parasite bringing bad luck to our family!"

The other kids laughed.

My face burned with shame. I just wanted to run away.

As I tried to slip past the archway, another boy about my height jumped in front of me, holding a half-eaten slice of cake.

"Hey, parasite, where do you think you're going?"

I ignored him, trying to squeeze past.

"Hey! I’m talking to you!" He grabbed my sleeve, smearing icing all over it.

"Let go," I said.

"No way!" he yelled back. "Ethan! She’s threatening me!"

Ethan looked over, holding a glass of juice, but said nothing.

The boy grabbed a half-empty cup of orange juice from the table and splashed it directly into my face.

The sticky, sweet liquid burned my eyes.

"Hahaha! Look! She’s an orange monster now!" the boy clapped and laughed.

"I've got soda!"

"I've got grape juice!"

The other children eagerly grabbed whatever drinks were nearby, hurling them at me.

I shielded my face with my arms, but the liquids and food crumbs kept pelting my body.

In the chaos, someone shoved me hard from behind.

I stumbled backward and fell with a loud *splash* into the courtyard fountain.

The freezing water swallowed me instantly.

I thrashed, trying to cry out, but only swallowed mouthfuls of dirty water.

A few seconds later, a rough hand grabbed my collar and dragged me out.

It was Mrs. Gable.

"Enough! All of you, back inside! Go play in the living room before I tell your parents!"

Her face was furious as she wrapped a dry jacket around my shivering body.

The children stuck out their tongues and scattered, leaving me standing there, soaking wet and shivering.

The water I had swallowed felt trapped in my chest, making me cough violently.

As I passed the living room archway, I couldn't help but look inside.

Evelyn’s back was turned to the door. She was gently wiping cake crumbs off Lily's cheek with a napkin.

The sight felt like a knife twisting in my chest.

She never once looked back to see if I was alive.