Part 3Death Was My Only Escape

That was the fifth month after I returned home.

My father slapped me, hard.

He did it because Serena had dropped to her knees in the middle of the wreckage right in front of them.

She looked up with tear-filled eyes.

"Maya, Mom and Dad still love you most. They just went to my school for an hour."

"I don't want to fight with you. If you hate what happened in the past, hate me, but please don't blame Mom and Dad. We’re all victims here."

"If you really can't stand me, I’ll leave!"

I watched her one-woman show in shock. Before I could even open my mouth to defend myself, the slap landed.

Then came my father’s roar.

"Maya! Is this how your foster parents raised you?"

"You act so sweet to Serena in front of us, but you’re a monster behind our backs. You’ve deeply disappointed me."

I tried to explain, but no one listened.

Because Serena’s knees were shredded by the glass.

My father scooped her up and rushed her to the hospital.

I was left to limp out of the glass in my slippers, one agonizing step at a time.

I treated my own wounds in my room, gritting my teeth against the pain.

When Serena returned, both her knees were wrapped in thick bandages.

My parents flanked her, supporting her every move while treating me with nothing but cold glares.

"Maya, go to your room and reflect on what you’ve done."

"Serena might not be our biological daughter, but we raised her for 18 years. Do you think that bond just disappears?"

"Don't think we don't love you. It’s because we love you that we can't let you become this twisted! We have to correct you!"

I tried to speak, but the pain in my feet made me gasp for air.

"Maya, stop the act."

"You were wearing slippers earlier. We both saw it."

I knew words were useless, so I retreated to my bedroom.

But because of the pain, I couldn't help but limp.

In their eyes, even my pain was just another act of defiance.