“You like locking Wendy in the storage closet, huh? Fine! Then you can stay in there until you understand how it feels!
“You won’t be allowed out until you’re truly sorry for what you’ve done.”
Even now, Dad believed it was all my fault. He would accept nothing less than my complete submission—me on my knees, sobbing and begging for forgiveness.
Too bad. They’d never hear that from me.
The butler’s trembling voice cut through the tension.
“Mr. Stiles… Mr. Stiles! Miss Jennifer… is dead!”
Dad’s hand froze midair, hovering above Wendy’s head.
I stared at him, refusing to miss even the faintest flicker of emotion. Was it regret I was hoping for? Or fear?
There was none.
Instead, he smiled faintly and sighed in annoyance. “How dare she.
“Dead? As if.”
Shaking his head, he added coldly, “I know my daughter. She’d do anything to survive.
“Tell her to stop playing games before I call the crematorium. Then she’ll really be dead.”
The butler stood frozen, clearly shocked.
“What are you waiting for?” Dad snapped. “You have thirty minutes to get her cleaned up and ready to apologize to Wendy. Or else, you can leave with her!”
“Mr. Stiles…” The butler hesitated, his voice faltering.
“Get on with it!” Dad snarled, throwing the dessert in his hand—meant for Wendy—at the butler.
The butler had no choice but to retreat.
Dad turned back to Wendy with a smile, wiping her mouth tenderly. “We’re out of dessert. Why don’t we eat something else, hmm?
“Wendy, when Jennifer apologizes to you later, don’t forgive her too quickly, alright?
“She better kneel and beg for your forgiveness before you even think about it. You’re too kind to her.
“You can’t be too nice. Remember my words, Wendy.”
Wendy smirked faintly but then replaced it with an anxious, innocent expression.
“I’m sure she’s sorry, Dad.
“She’d be so sad if I didn’t forgive her…”
“You’re too kind, Wendy,” Dad said with pride.
Ian wrapped an arm around Wendy’s body, smiling contentedly.
What a picture-perfect, loving family.
This was my so-called blood-related family.
I smirked at the cruel irony and tried to move away, only to realize that I couldn’t. My body was still there, binding me to this place.
I had no choice but to watch as they acted all lovely-dovey in front of me, a grotesque display of affection that only deepened the bitterness in my heart.
