Chapter 3I’m Just Their Freak

Before I could even process what had happened, a sharp pain struck my cheek.

A loud smack echoed through the empty hall. I was knocked to the floor, completely stunned.

I looked at Hunter's hand, still hanging in the air, and the shock surfacing in his eyes.

My ears were ringing, and a wave of dizziness hit me instantly.

I felt so awful. Even breathing was painful.

Hunter's body stiffened as he bent down. After placing the crying, burned Sadie onto the sofa, he immediately turned around.

When he saw me sitting miserably on the floor, he took a step forward. His voice softened with helpless compromise.

"Piper, stop making a scene, okay?"

"Be good and listen to me. Come apologize to Sadie, and I'll pretend this never happened."

Many years ago, in my brothers' house, I was always making mistakes in front of Vivian.

I was clumsy and accidentally broke her favorite vase, so I had to apologize.

When I embarrassed her at the family dinner, I had to apologize.

When I mistakenly wore the dress she wanted at a birthday party and made her cry, I had to apologize.

So back then, in the dark alley, when I saved a heavily injured Hunter with just half a loaf of stale bread, I habitually ducked my head and apologized.

When he winced in pain, I had to apologize.

When he had a fever and there was no medicine, I had to apologize.

Even when he got upset because I cried out for my brothers in my dreams, I had to apologize.

Back then, it was Hunter who held me time and time again, correcting me.

"My Piper is the best girl in the world. You don't need to apologize to anyone."

Over the seven years, he helped me break that habit. He corrected countless times.

But today, it was also Hunter who said to me, Piper, listen to me, apologize to Sadie.

I sat on the floor, tilted my head back, and stared at Hunter for a long time.

I stared for so long that he became a little uncomfortable. He even subconsciously wanted to walk over and hug me. Only then did I push myself off the floor and slowly shuffle over to Sadie.

I lowered my head and said softly, "I'm sorry. I made a mistake."

I'm sorry. I made a mistake again.

Perhaps I stood up too fast. I felt the world spinning around me.

I thought I heard Hunter exclaim in shock. The next second, I collapsed to the floor and lost consciousness.

"Our little princess! You are the pride of the family, the priceless treasure your brothers protect with their lives."

"Piper, don't be afraid, the gunfire has stopped. It's not your fault. I'll take you to pick out a new dress to calm your nerves."

"Piper, come here quickly, let your brothers give you a hug."

Warm, doting scenes replayed one after another in my unconscious dreams.

Not far away, Wyatt and Cole opened their arms, wearing the smiles I knew so well, as if waiting for me to run into them.

So, like a child, I moved my legs and ran toward them.

My dear brothers, I seem to have had a terrible, terrible nightmare. Hunter doesn't want me anymore.

But before I could even touch the hem of their suits, the illusion shattered instantly.

The next second, a pitiful-looking girl appeared between Wyatt and Cole. They put their arms around her and introduced her to me with a smile.

"Piper, this is Vivian, the family's newly adopted daughter. Share half of your toys with her from now on, okay?"

"Piper, Vivian is timid. You are not allowed to bully her."

"Piper, you made Vivian cry, quickly apologize to her!"

"Why? Why wasn't it you who got kidnapped by our rivals?"

"Why wasn't it you who got taken hostage, instead of innocent Vivian?"

"Piper, please. We're begging you. Will you take her place? Please! Stop being a burden to the family!"

In the dream, it was my two brothers' eyes, filled with deep hatred.

But the scene shifted, and I was back in my childhood. Wyatt and Cole lifted me high up to the church tower.

They smiled and pointed at the beacon light in the tower, their voices gentle yet firm.

"As long as this beacon is shining, your brothers will forever be the fortress that protects you."

But brothers, do indestructible fortresses collapse too?

Crying out for my brothers, I woke up with a start from the overwhelming despair.

As soon as I opened my eyes, I met Hunter's bloodshot, gloomy eyes.

"Piper, you were calling out for your brothers in your sleep again."