Chapter 4

The next morning, before the sun even rose, I was already waiting in the living room.

If I could prove I had my memory, if I could prove I was normal, maybe I could escape this living hell.

Even if there was only a one-in-a-million chance.

The moment I heard Robert's bedroom door click open, I lunged forward.

"Mr. Miller came yesterday! He offered a twenty-thousand-dollar payout! Leo ate chips, and Mom promised him ice cream!"

"Look! I remember everything perfectly! Doesn't this prove I'm cured?"

Robert gasped and turned to Sarah. A flash of surprise crossed Sarah’s face, but she quickly masked it with a scowl.

"Look at your bloodshot eyes. You stayed awake all night on purpose, didn't you?"

In our past life, Sarah and I had realized that if I didn't sleep at night, there was a small chance I could retain the previous day's memories.

Now, she was using that exact piece of knowledge as a weapon against me.

The Millers’ car was already waiting outside. My parents grabbed my arms and pushed me out the door.

Tears streaming down my face, I clawed at the doorframe, refusing to let go.

Sarah sighed, kneeling down to stroke my hair.

"Just go to school for a few days. Getting an education isn't a bad thing."

"Once your dad and I are done with the paperwork, we'll take you to the hospital. If you really are cured, we'll figure something else out, okay?"

Her eyes suddenly looked so gentle, just like they used to.

I instinctively reached out my pinky finger to lock promises with her. But the next second, Leo called out to her, and she immediately shoved me aside.

"The milk on the table is getting cold, sweetie! Let Mom warm it up for you!"

Robert took the opportunity to grab my wrists, dragging me out to the car like a criminal.

The moment I walked into the classroom with Toby, I felt the hostile, mocking stares of everyone around us.

Sure enough, the second the teacher stepped out, a group of boys sneered and crowded around my desk.

"Hey, are you the retard’s child bride? Do you guys sleep in the same bed at night?"

"Does the retard even know how to do it? Want us to teach you?"

The entire classroom erupted into loud laughter.

I swallowed my disgust, keeping my eyes glued to my desk, my voice trembling.

"I’m not. Stop lying."

The ringleader mocked my voice in a high-pitched squeal, then turned to slap Toby on the back of his head.

"Hey, Toby! Tell us, is she your girl?"

Toby nodded droolingly, a dumb grin on his face. "Daddy said she’s mine. I get to kiss her."

The laughter grew deafening. I covered my ears and buried my head in my arms.

*Just endure it,* I told myself. *Just a little longer.*

I played dead until the final bell rang, and I was the very first one to bolt out of the school.

Sarah was waiting at the school gate to pick up Leo. I threw my arms around her.

"Mom, the kids in my class are going to hurt me. I’m scared. Please take me home with you!"

Her voice was ice-cold.

"Picking you up is your father's job. My scooter can't fit three people anyway."

"Besides, bullies don't pick on kids for no reason. If they don't like you, maybe you should look at your own behavior."

Leo started whining for ice cream again. Sarah didn't listen to another word. She started the scooter and zoomed away, leaving me in the dust.

Before I could even take a step, several hands grabbed me from behind, dragging me into a blind alley with no security cameras.

I screamed "Mom! Mom!" over and over, but I knew she couldn't hear me.

One of the boys locked his arm around Toby’s neck, pushing him within inches of my face, while others pulled out their phones to record.

"Here comes the retard's wife! Let’s watch them make out!"

Hands began pushing the back of my head, trying to force my face against his. I fought back with everything I had.

"If you do this, I’ll tell the principal! I’ll call the cops!"

The leader laughed even louder, squeezing Toby's shoulder.

"Are we bullying you? Aren't we all just good friends playing a game?"

Hearing the word "friends," Toby grinned widely.

"Yeah! Friends! Playing games!"

They shoved Toby forward. Like an animal, he started licking my face wildly, his sticky spit smeared all over my cheeks. The smell and texture made me gag instantly.

The crowd grew wild with excitement, shouting at Toby to rip my clothes off.

Toby didn't understand what he was doing; he just knew that doing this made everyone laugh. He pulled at my clothes with brute force.

Within minutes, I was stripped down to my underwear, with dirty hands touching me everywhere.

When you're in absolute despair, your body just shivers. You can't even make a sound.

Just when I thought my life was completely over, a sharp scream echoed from the entrance of the alley.

"What are you doing to Amber?! Stop right now!"