Chapter 2

A furious slap landed across my face. Ash gripped my shoulders from behind, holding me in place. I could not even dodge it.

My head snapped to the side.

My cheek burned with searing pain.

Warm blood trickled from the wound on my forehead, running down my face before dripping onto the floor.

For a fleeting moment, Ash frowned. Then, the expression disappeared so quickly I almost thought I had imagined it.

He inclined his head toward Mr. Lawson, who was still trembling with rage.

“Mr. Lawson, we’re deeply sorry for what happened to your daughter. The Bennett family will accept full responsibility and cover every medical expense.”

After a brief pause, he shoved me forward.

“I've brought my reckless sister here.

“You may deal with her however you see fit.”

My entire body stiffened.

Mr. Lawson finally calmed down a little. As he looked at his daughter, wrapped from head to toe in bandages in the hospital bed, his heart twisted in pain.

“What exactly did you do to Lily?”

Ash had already told me what to say. Even if he had not, I already knew.

My mother shoved me from behind.

“Answer him!”

I clenched my fists. “I slapped her, forced her to kneel before me, and burned her with cigarette butts.”

Mr. Lawson’s face twisted with fury. He grabbed a fistful of my hair, dragged me into the room, and threw me onto my knees beside Lily’s bed.

“Stay on your knees! Kneel here for three days and three nights!

“And take care of my daughter until she wakes up!”

My knees slammed against the hard floor. The pain was so intense that tears instantly welled up in my eyes.

My mother stepped closer.

“Just endure it,” she whispered. “You and Stella share the same body. If she made a mistake, it’s the same as you taking responsibility. There’s no difference between the two of you.”

I braced myself against my swollen knees and looked at her sadly.

“Is that so?

“Then why have I never gotten to share her happiness or the life she gets to enjoy?”

My mother’s face froze.

Ash was standing close enough to hear every word. His expression darkened immediately.

“How can you say something so selfish? Haven’t we loved you too?”

When I said nothing, he let out a sigh and crouched in front of me, gently patting my head.

“Stella’s different. You’ve always been smart. She’s helpless. The more capable you are, the more responsibility you should bear.

“We’ve always had different expectations for you and Stella.

“You understand that, don’t you?

“Be good. I promise that next time you’re awake, I’ll take you on a vacation.”

I forced a faint smile and replied, “Okay.”

It did not matter anymore. There would not be a next time. I would not be coming back.

He let out a sigh of relief, then turned to Mr. Lawson.

“She’s in your hands now. We only ask that you don’t involve the police, since they’re both still young.”

Then, he left with our parents. None of them looked back.

Mr. Lawson let out a cold scoff.

He dipped a cotton swab into a cup of water and carefully moistened his daughter’s pale, cracked lips.

“How could you do something like this, all because of a dress?

“You nearly destroyed my daughter over a dress!”

I could not answer him.

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

Who would ever believe a story about two souls sharing one body?

“I’m sorry.”

He hurled the cup at my feet. It shattered into countless pieces.

“Sorry isn’t enough! I’d skin you alive if it would ease my anger!”

A shard of porcelain sliced into my knee.

I instinctively started to move, only to see Ash standing in the doorway.

His brows were tightly knitted. His lips silently formed three words.

‘Don’t fight back.’

My body froze.

I lowered my gaze to the floor as my heart sank deeper into despair.

I knelt there for three days and three nights. I did not have a single sip of water or a single bite of food.

My knees became so swollen that fluid collected beneath my skin.

Three days later, Mr. Lawson finally allowed me to stand.

From then on, I was ordered to stay by Lily’s bedside and care for her every moment.

Whenever he lost his temper, I became the easiest target. He would slap me or kick me whenever he felt like it.

Twenty-nine days passed.

Lily finally woke up.

As soon as they heard the news, my parents and brother rushed to the hospital.

Ash’s eyes landed on my swollen knees and bruised face. His pupils contracted ever so slightly. He looked at Mr. Lawson and asked, “Have you calmed down now? Will you agree not to press charges?”

Mr. Lawson slowly closed his eyes.

“Get out.”

He glared at me.

“If you ever hurt my daughter again, I’ll kill you myself.”

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

Despite the circumstances, I found myself envying Lily.

She had a father who loved her with everything he had, just like Stella had.

I had no one…

Back home, Ash stopped me before I went upstairs. He pursed his lips and let out a sigh.

“I know you've suffered this time, but tonight is the next drawing. When it’s your turn again, I’ll make it up to you.”

He reached over and gently ruffled my hair.

“I’ll take you on vacation. We’ll chase the Northern Lights, and we’ll ride in a hot-air balloon. I’ll do it all with you.”

I looked at him and nodded.

I went upstairs.

I lay quietly on my bed, watching the clock as the seconds slowly ticked away.

At exactly midnight, as the oak lottery tube rattled downstairs, I slowly closed my eyes. A smile appeared on my lips.

‘Mom, Dad, Ash, I’m finally free now.’