Chapter 2

The man angrily slapped me across the face. Carla, who was standing behind me, held me in place so I couldn't dodge.

My head snapped to the side, and my cheek burned with pain.

Warm blood ran down from my forehead and dripped onto the floor.

I saw Carla frown for a split second. Then it was gone, as if I had imagined it.

She nodded to the furious Stefan Redknapp.

"Mr. Redknapp, we're truly sorry for what happened to your son. We accept full responsibility, and our family will pay all of his medical bills."

After a brief pause, she pushed me forward.

"And I've also brought my reckless brother here. You can deal with him however you see fit."

I froze.

Stefan had only just started to calm down, but when he looked at his son, Daniel Redknapp, lying in the hospital bed wrapped in bandages, his eyes filled with grief again.

He demanded. "How did you abuse him?"

Carla had already told me what to say. But even if she hadn't, I already knew.

Amanda shoved me from behind.

"Answer him!"

I clenched my fists. "I slapped him, forced him to kneel, and burned him with cigarette butts."

Stefan was furious. He grabbed my hair, dragged me into the room, and threw me to my knees beside Daniel's bed.

"Then stay on your knees!" he shouted. "Take care of him until he wakes up!"

My knees slammed against the hard floor. The pain made tears spill from my eyes.

Amanda stepped closer and whispered, "Just hang in there. You and Simon share the same body. If he made the mistake, it's the same if you take the punishment."

I supported my swollen knees with both hands and looked at her sadly.

"Really? Then why have I never gotten any of your love or lived the life he gets to enjoy?"

Amanda froze.

Carla was standing close enough to hear me. Her face darkened too.

"How can you say something so selfish? Don't we love you too?"

When I stayed silent, she crouched down in front of me. She gently rubbed my head and let out a sigh.

"Simon is different from you. You've always been smart. He's just not. The more capable you are, the more responsibility you have.

"We expect different things from you and Simon. Do you understand?

"I promise you. When you get out of here, I'll take you on a vacation. Just be good, okay?"

I gave a bitter smile and nodded without caring.

I didn't care anymore.

Because I was never coming out.

She finally relaxed and turned to Stefan.

"We'll leave him with you. But he's still young. Please don't call the police."

After saying that, she left with Mick and Amanda without another glance back.

Stefan looked at me with disgust before walking over to Daniel.

He dipped a cotton swab in water and carefully moistened Daniel's pale lips.

"How could you do something like this? You nearly destroyed my son's life over a pair of sneakers!"

I didn't know how to defend myself.

To everyone else, I was the one who had done it.

The idea of two souls sharing one body was too unbelievable. No one would ever believe me.

"I'm sorry."

He threw a cup at my feet. It shattered across the floor.

"Your apology means nothing! I ought to beat you senseless!"

Broken pieces of porcelain sliced into my knees.

Just as I started to move, I saw Carla standing in the doorway.

She silently mouthed the words. "Don't fight back."

So I stayed still.

I stared at the floor in despair.

I knelt there for three whole days. I didn't get a single drop of water or one bite of food.

My knees became so swollen that fluid built up inside them.

Three days later, Stefan finally allowed me to stand.

He ordered me to stay by Daniel's side and take care of him around the clock.

Whenever Stefan lost his temper, I became his punching bag. Sometimes he slapped me across the face. Other times he kicked me without warning.

Daniel finally woke up on the 29th day.

When Mick, Amanda, and Carla heard the news, they rushed to the hospital.

Carla froze when she saw my swollen face and my badly swollen knees.

Only then did she ask Stefan, "Have you calmed down now? Could you please not call the police?"

Stefan closed his eyes.

"Get out."

Then he glared at me.

"If you ever hurt Daniel again, I'll kill you."

My face was deathly pale. My lips were cracked and bleeding.

But at that moment, I found myself envying Daniel.

Just like Simon, he had family who loved him with all their hearts.

I had no one.

After we got home, Carla stopped me and sighed.

"You've suffered this time. Tonight is another drawing. If you're chosen again next time, I'll make it up to you."

She stepped forward and patted my shoulder.

"Whether you want a vacation, tickets to a soccer game, or even a hot air balloon ride, I'll take you."

I looked at her, quietly answered, "Okay," and went upstairs.

I lay on my bed and silently watched the clock on the wall.

At exactly midnight, the container rattled as the lots were shaken.

With a smile on my face, I slowly closed my eyes.

"Dad, Mom, Carla, This time, I'm finally free."