Chapter 5

The moment the procedure was over and the doctor left the room, my mother rushed to my bedside.

"Chloe, I know it hurts."

Her tears were fast and convincing.

"It's all my fault for not taking good care of you..."

Dad stood by the side, his face dark.

My mother suddenly turned to him, her voice trembling. "Mark, Chloe was murmuring things while she was half-conscious..."

My heart tightened. I didn't know what kind of trick she was playing now.

The next second, she grabbed my hand tightly, her voice full of grievance.

"She said... she said she can't stand this family anymore. She begged me... begged me to divorce you!"

Dad glared at me instantly.

"She said you're a loser, and she'd rather not have you as a father!"

"Bullshit!" I struggled to sit up, but my throat felt like it was on fire.

My mother held me down, sobbing hysterically.

"Mark! She's in this state, why would I lie! She said it herself!"

Dad’s chest heaved violently, his eyes bloodshot.

"You ungrateful brat!" He shoved my mother aside and lunged at me.

"Dad! She's lying!"

My mother grabbed Dad's waist from behind, screaming at me, "Chloe, run! Your dad is going to kill you!"

She looked like she was holding him back, but she was actually pushing him toward me.

Triggered by her actions, Dad completely lost control. He grabbed a glass cup from the table and threw it at me.

I rolled over to dodge. Shattered glass flew everywhere.

"You rebellious brat!" Dad broke free from her grip, lunging at me like a madman.

I ran out of the room and headed for the stairs.

"Stop her! Don't let her do anything stupid!" my mother screamed from behind, her voice laced with hidden excitement.

Dad's heavy footsteps chased close behind.

Weakened from the stomach pumping, I couldn't run far before Dad grabbed my arm.

He dragged me to the car and locked me inside. No matter how much I begged, he only replied coldly:

"Just wait until we get home."

The front door of our apartment was kicked open.

I was thrown violently onto the living room floor.

"I am going to beat some respect into you today!"

He grabbed my hair and dragged me toward the balcony.

"Weren't you trying to force your mother to kill herself? You can go first!"

My mother rushed over, grabbing Dad's arm, her voice shrieking, "Mark! No! That's your daughter!"

But her body was strategically blocking my path back to the living room.

Dad threw me onto the balcony.

My back slammed against the railing. The rusted metal gave a sharp creak, shaking slightly.

Dad approached me, his knuckles cracking.

"Dad! Look at Mom! Look at what she's doing!" I screamed hoarsely.

With bloodshot eyes, Dad couldn't hear a word.

My mother was crouching slightly behind Dad, her hands resting weakly on the railing, pretending to cry and beg.

"Mark, please, don't do this to her..."

But in Dad's blind spot, her right hand was hidden under her palm, quickly turning the loose screw at the base of the railing, turn after turn.

Her movements were practiced and completely silent.

In my past life, at this exact moment, that screw had been loosened the exact same way.

Why did my mother want me dead so badly?

Was I destined to die the same tragic death in this life too?

No, I refused to accept this.

I stared at my mother's face, watching her flawless performance, and suddenly, everything clicked.

I finally understood!

I finally figured out why she needed me dead!