Chapter 5

Dad packed our luggage.

Two suitcases stood in the entryway.

He crouched down. "Maria, we're leaving tomorrow."

I nodded, but for some reason, panic stirred in my heart.

Late at night, I woke up thirsty and went downstairs to drink water.

I saw Mom sitting alone in the living room, completely still.

I ignored her and walked toward the kitchen.

After I filled the glass, I turned around and prepared to go upstairs.

"You're not allowed to leave." Mom spoke in a hoarse voice.

I pretended not to hear and kept walking upstairs.

Rapid footsteps sounded behind me, and Mom grabbed my arm.

"You're not allowed to go anywhere!"

I struggled desperately and cried out for Dad.

"Mom, let go of me. You're hurting me!"

She grabbed me even harder and threw me to the side.

My knee hit the corner of the coffee table, sending a sharp pain through me.

During the struggle, something flew out of her pocket.

It rolled to my feet, and it was a silver pendant with a glowing screen.

On it was a red number that kept jumping.

[Life Value: 59]

While she was not paying attention, I picked up the pendant in one grab and clutched it tightly in my palm.

"Listen to me carefully."

Mom grabbed my hair and forced me to lift my head and look at her.

"Your dad wants to take you away, right? The two of you think I'm dead, right?"

I shook my head while crying.

"I didn't. I didn't think that."

She let go, and I fell heavily to the floor.

"You didn't? Then why are you leaving me?"

Mom crouched down and pinched my face.

"Do you think I'm a failure as a mom? Do you hate me?"

I did not dare speak.

Her grip grew tighter and tighter.

"Talk!"

"It hurts, Mom. It hurts."

I was in so much pain that I could only squeeze out a few words.

She suddenly let go and turned to rush into the kitchen.

When she came back out, there was a stick in her hand.

"You want to leave, right? Then I'll break your legs first."

She raised the stick and swung it down at my legs.

I screamed in fear and rolled to the side.

The stick hit the coffee table, making a huge sound.

Dad woke up in shock and rushed downstairs in his pajamas, and when he saw this scene, his eyes turned red.

"Catherine, you're crazy."

He lunged over to snatch the stick from Mom's hand, and the two of them started wrestling.

Mom cried and screamed.

"She can't leave me. I gave birth to her. If she leaves, she'll die. What right does she have to leave with you?"

Dad snatched the stick away and threw it aside.

He picked me up and checked my injuries.

"Maria, are you okay? Where does it hurt?"

I pointed to my bleeding knee and my face that had been pinched red.

Dad's expression became very ugly.

"Catherine, do you still have even a little bit of what a mother should be?"

Mom collapsed onto the floor, her hair disheveled.

"I just want her to stay. I just won't let her leave."

"She is my daughter, and I have the final say."

Dad carried me upstairs.

"We're already divorced. Tomorrow morning, we're moving out."

Mom screamed behind us.

"Try leaving. If you leave, Maria really will die."

Dad did not take her words to heart.

After we returned to the room, Dad treated my wounds, and his hands were shaking.

"I'm sorry, Maria. Tomorrow we'll go stay at a hotel first."

My heart felt both chaotic and empty, and I did not know whether I should feel sad or scared.

After Dad left, I locked the door, lay against it, and listened for movement outside.

The living room was very quiet, so Mom must have gone back to her room.

I opened my palm, and the number on the pendant had become 60.

My eyes widened, and I could not believe it.

What was this thing?

Why did the number increase when Mom hit me?