Chapter 2

I dialed my brother's number from memory, crying as I apologized and begged him to take me back home.

He just scoffed coldly, "Seraphina, we agreed on a year, and it's only been a few days? Compared to the pain Melody's endured, this punishment is letting you off easy."

"Stay put and work on that spoiled princess attitude of yours!"

From the other end of the line, I could hear Melody's fragile sobs.

"Big sister just made a mistake. I was the one who stole her affection first, so whatever punishment she gives me is deserved..."

"Can't you forgive big sister? My face is ruined anyway, I'm no longer fit to be a Winters family lady. Why don't you just let me leave and fend for myself, boo-hoo..."

I tried to say something more but was cut off by Mom and Dad's angry shouts.

"Soren! Can't you see Melody's upset? Hang up now! And don't answer any more calls from Seraphina!"

"We agreed on a year, and that's final. She can come back when she's learned her lesson!"

The call ended with my desperate wails.

Later I found out that the whole family was preparing to fly to South Korea with Melody for plastic surgery that day.Dad, Mom, and my brother openly declared that no matter what Melody became, she would always be their most beloved family member.

But me? I never fit into their family, not three years ago, and not now.

I slapped myself harder and harder, my face burning and swelling.

"Stop it!"

My brother grabbed my hand, his eyes rolling with anger.

"Seraphina, have you really stooped so low?"

"Is this how you stripped and hurt yourself in there to gain their sympathy? It won't work!"

"Those people are all professionals specially instructed by me and our parents. They won't soften up because of your little tricks."

Hearing the words 'Mom and Dad', I finally recognized who he was.

"Brother, it's you..."

My brother froze, his face growing darker as he gritted his teeth:

"Stop acting! It's only been a year, you can't possibly have forgotten who I am!"

"We just wanted you to learn to be a bit smarter, a bit kinder. Do you really need to put on this pathetic act to disgust me?"

"Let me tell you! I've recorded that video of you slapping yourself just now. Don't even think about framing me later!"

Three years ago, after I was recognized and brought back to the Winters family.Melody always found ways to harm herself, then cry and say, "Don't blame me."

Later, she even deliberately smashed Dad's cherished antique vase and destroyed the building blocks her brother had carefully assembled, pinning the blame on me each time.

Whenever I tried to defend myself and point out Melody's guilt, they would only say:

"Don't try to frame others."

A year ago at my birthday party, the whole family said the same thing to me.

"It's clearly you who wanted to hurt your sister. Don't try to frame her!"

A sharp, tight pain spread through my chest, and my throat constricted with bitterness.

Seeing that I had fallen silent, my brother grabbed me and yanked me into the car.

When we got home and the door opened, a figure in white rushed into my arms.

"Big sister, you're back! I missed you so much!"

It was Melody, dressed in a pure and innocent style. Her face had fully recovered, looking every bit the princess doted on by the whole family.

But as she hugged me tightly, her hands cruelly squeezed my injured areas. She whispered in my ear:

"Bitch, you dare come back? After being passed around by countless men, if I were you, I'd have bashed my head in from shame long ago."

The pain in my heart overshadowed the physical pain, and I froze in place.

So it was her!

Why would she do this to me?

Why?!

I shoved her away, wanting to angrily confront her.

"Oh!"Melody seemed prepared for this, intentionally falling backwards with force.

The back of her head struck the edge of the step, instantly causing blood to flow profusely.

"Sister, it's been a year now. Do you still hate me?" she cried, tears streaming down her face. The blood trickling down her neck onto her snow-white dress was a horrifying sight.

"Seraphina! I knew you were faking it all along. You're still just as vicious!"

My brother shoved me aside with his foot and carried Melody towards the living room.

Perched on his shoulder, Melody raised an eyebrow and mouthed to me smugly: