Chapter 2When the Number Vanished, So Did My Parents’ Love

Dad caught Mom’s wrist just inches before her hand struck my face.

“Why are you hitting her?

“Isn’t it a good thing that she’s still alive?”

Mom yanked her arm free, her eyes turning red.

“Then what about Lana? She’s the younger sister. Was she supposed to spend those three years giving up everything for Cece?”

Lana burst into tears and hurled the lollipop at me.

“I hate Cece! Why won’t she just die?”

“Don’t cry, Lana. It’s okay.”

Mom pulled her into her arms, growing angrier by the second.

After unwrapping the lollipop and putting it back in Lana’s mouth, she turned and walked toward me.

Slap!

Her palm struck my face.

My ears immediately began ringing.

“You little liar!”

Mom glared at me with pure hatred.

I wanted to explain.

Over those three years, I’d offered more than once to share my toys with Lana.

I’d asked my parents to bring her to the amusement park with us and buy her a pretty dress too.

But Mom and Dad always said the same thing.

“You don’t need to worry about your sister. We’ll make it up to her later.

“All you need to do is enjoy the three years you have left.”

Still, part of me felt that it really was my fault.

The number above my head had caused all of this.

I curled up in the corner of the bed, covering my burning cheek as tears rolled down my face.

Mom snorted.

“Stop pretending to be the victim.”

She carried Lana out of the room.

Dad followed them, slamming the door behind him.

“Cecilia, think carefully about what you’ve done. Tomorrow, you’re going to apologize to your mother and sister!”

Early the next morning, several workers arrived and began carrying things out of my bedroom.

My family sat on the couch, with Mom holding Lana close. Her eyes were still swollen from crying.

“Cecilia, come here.

“Starting today, all the clothes we bought you over the past three years are being thrown away. Your toys and books will be moved into your sister’s room.

“And she’ll be getting your princess bed too.”

I kept my head down.

“Okay.”

“This is your punishment for lying!”

“I didn’t lie.”

Mom froze halfway to her feet, then raised her voice.

“What did you just say, Cecilia?”

“I said I didn’t lie.”

I pointed at my reflection in the mirror.

“The number above my head is still changing. It changed again today.”

Mom let out an angry laugh.

“You still refuse to admit it?

“Fine. Tell me, then. What number do you see today?”

I stared seriously at the bright red number above my head.

“Negative three.”

Dad’s expression faltered.

Mom grabbed my shirt and dragged me to the bedroom door.

“You used these lies to trick us into buying you all this, and you’re still doing it?

“Fine! I’ll have them clear out this entire room and turn it into a piano room for your sister!”

Dad tried to stop her.

“If you take away her room, where is Cece supposed to sleep?”

“I don’t care! She can sleep on the balcony, on the floor, or out on the street!

“I just want her to stay away from my daughter!”

Mom screamed with red-rimmed eyes, shielding Lana like a mother wolf protecting her cub.

Dad tried to calm her down again.

Mom shoved her phone in front of him.

“You think I’m accusing her without proof?

“Look for yourself!”

Dad picked up the phone.

The moment he saw what was on the screen, his face changed.

“Cecilia, is this true?”