Chapter 1

I could barely recognize my younger sister, Delilah Scott, the moment she walked out of her room.

Her midriff could be seen poking out of her crop top, and the miniskirt she wore barely covered her crotch. Her eyeliner was drawn in a thin, elegant wing.

Delilah paired the rest of her outfit with a tiny bag. There was a hint of shyness in her eyes.

"Where are you going?" I quickly stopped her. "Are you seriously dressed up like this just to meet your best friend?"

Delilah dug out her phone and showed the screen to me. A text message was displayed on the screen.

"Wear something pretty, hon! Don't be late!"

The sender was Vanessa Lane, a girl who often hung out at our place.

"See, Trish? I'm going over to Vanessa's place!" Then, Delilah shook my arm coquettishly. "She was the one who told me to doll up!"

When I recalled the live comments' contents, my expression darkened instantly.

"Don't go there tonight. I don't feel so good at the moment. Why don't you stay at home and chat with me instead?"

Delilah's smile froze on her face at that moment.

"Trish, I've already promised Vanessa that I'd be there. I can't just go back on my word now, can I? I'll be back first thing tomorrow morning, I promise!"

As she spoke, she made her way toward the front door.

Suddenly, a burst of light flashed across my eyes.

"That old hag is planning to ruin Lils' and Doug's relationship just because she doesn't have a boyfriend of her own! Ugh, she's so annoying!"

"Doug bought three boxes of condoms for the big night! He even set up a camera in advance so that he can record his first night with Lils!"

"Whenever Lils demands a break-up with Doug in the future, he'll use the sex tape to coerce her into staying with him. She'll cry a lot while he pins her down and does whatever he wants with her. Gosh, their love for each other is so toxic but sweet!"

I felt as though I had just plunged into the icy abyss.

"Hold on!" My tone shifted immediately. "Have you forgotten that today's Mom and Dad's death anniversary?"

Delilah's hand froze on the doorknob. At the same time, a hint of uneasiness crossed her features.

"The thing is, Trish, I've already promised Vanessa I'd show up. I swear that I'll make it up to Mom and Dad with fresh flowers tomorrow—"

"Make it up to them?" I raised my voice at Delilah. "You're telling me that you'll make it up to our parents for skipping out on their death anniversary?"

Delilah's brows were tangled in a frustrated knot. She quickly opened the door afterward.

"Can you stop acting like this, Trish? Seriously, I'm about to be late!"

I gripped her by the arm right away.

"Must you go out on our parents' death anniversary?" I asked firmly, my gaze boring into Delilah's eyes. "Are you really meeting up with Vanessa? Or are you actually planning to meet someone else?"

Delilah's cheeks went bright red. "What do you mean 'someone else'? Can you stop being so paranoid? My goodness, it's like you're having your menopause soon!"

Dull pain flared from my heart at her scathing words. Delilah never talked to me like that before.

"You're not allowed to leave the house."

"What the hell, Trish?" Delilah stamped her foot angrily. "I just want to spend the night at my best friend's place! What makes you think you can forbid me from going?"

She turned to open the door. Immediately, I yanked her away and locked the door right in her face.

"The fact that I've raised you for the past ten years gives me that right, Delilah! Go ahead and step through that door, I dare you!"

As soon as I whirled around, Delilah dug out a can of pepper spray and started spraying it in my direction.

I felt as though acid had just gushed up my nostrils, forcing my airway to contract immediately. Almost immediately, I crumpled to the floor and gasped for breath.

I was allergic to peppers. One whiff of chili peppers could cripple me on the spot, least of all a few spritzes of extremely concentrated pepper spray.

"Take… Take me to the hospital…"

Delilah bit her bottom lip, but she still kicked my hand away.

"You'll be fine once you rest for a while, Trish. Anyway, I've already made plans with Vanessa, so I can't be late."

Then, she flung open the door quickly and hurried away without hesitation.