- 3.
I closed my eyes and braced myself as Dad
started kicking me. I remembered the last time
too.
After Crystal slipped poison in my drink, I had
begged my parents to take me to the hospital.
But they ignored me, and watched as I slowly
died.
I’d never understand why I was the scapegoat
and Crystal was the angel.
We were twins, but Crystal wore the new
clothes and went to the good schools. All I did
was do chores and wear whatever clothes
Crystal grew out of.
<
The pain kept getting worse, and I counted
down.
A few minutes later, the neighbors knocked,
asking what was going on.
Dad stopped, telling them, “She tripped.”
After Dad kicked me again. “Do you get it
now?”
If this had happened before, I would have told
him no.
I flinched, like a frightened rabbit. I told him, “I
get it now, Dad. I shouldn’t have said that about
Crystal.”
Dad wasn’t satisfied. “Are you going to call the
cops?”
“No, no.”
<
Dad let off the rage. I begged my mom and
sister to forgive me.
Mom sneered, “Stop it, and make dinner. I’m
starving.”
I got up and put on an apron.
Crystal’s phone buzzed, and she started
screaming.
“Bethany’s dead! I have to get to the hospital
and comfort Blake!”
She ran to her room to change, and my parents
offered to drive her.
After they left, I packed my bags and left this
household.
The neighbor saw my face and frowned. “Your
parents hit you again.”
<
When he saw my bag, he tutted. “Just go.
Someday, they’ll kill you if you stay here.”
I thanked him and hailed a cab.
The radio announced that Bethany was dead.
Blake Sterling announced a million–dollar
bounty for information.
The driver was amazed. “Imagine how brave
that driver has to be. And Blake Sterling has all
the resources to find him. It’s like a death wish.”
I nodded.
The driver added, “And remember what Blake
Sterling used to be, he just needs a reason to
go back to the streets. Whoever did this is as
good as dead.”
Again, I agreed.
I should have felt bad, but I was also terrified.
<
For the next few days, I saw news stories about
Bethany, and my sister was trending for being
the “beautiful and selfless bystander who tried
to save Bethany’s life.”
She posted a video of herself crying. “I’m so
sad. I should have been able to save her.”
Behind her, Blake stared at her with a complex
stare.
Crystal sent the video to our group chat.
Crystal: Did you see the way Blake was looking
at me? He has a crush on me!
My parents agreed, fantasizing about their
future lives of leisure.
I added one sentence.
Me: More like he wants to kill you.
Crystal had had enough.
She boasted in the group chat. She sent
screenshots of the text messages Blake had
sent her, where Blake thanked her for her
support.
She asked, Crystal: Do you think he has feelings
for me?
I couldn’t resist. Me: He’s probably just trying to
get you to confess. There’s nothing he can’t do.
And why would he pick you?
Crystal lost it. Crystal: I’m going to kick you
when I see you.
Dad replied, Dad: Where are you hiding. I’m
going to find you.
The three of them called me every name, and
said they would kill me if I turned them in.
<
I looked out the window of my apartment.
I moved into a cheap apartment after I left
home. By chance, it was right next to where
Bethany was hit.
Every day when I got off from work, I saw
Blake’s right–hand man going into the stores,
checking security footage.
Two days passed, and Crystal sent another
message.
Blake was inviting Crystal and my parents over
to his mansion for dinner.
Crystal: Bet you I’m going to be his future
fiance.
I didn’t reply.
Crystal was too busy trying to seduce Blake to
notice that anything related to Rethany had
<
notice that anything related to Bethany had
been scrubbed from the Internet.
The cops had stopped investigating.
Blake’s assistant stopped coming to the area.
They were being set up.
They were screwed.
I was about to go home when a black SUV
pulled up. Blake’s assistant was in front of me.
“Ms. Janice. My boss wants to speak with you.”
