Chapter 2

Back in the hospital, I watched my parents cater to Clara's every whim.

My mom personally cooked gourmet meals for her every day.

My dad bought her an expensive, limited-edition designer bag as compensation for her "trauma."

During those days, they completely forgot about me. Their entire universe revolved around Clara.

It was painfully pathetic to watch.

Only on the day Clara was discharged did they finally remember my existence.

"Where is Chloe? Why isn't that brat here yet?" my dad grumbled, his face darkening.

"She knows she messed up, so she’s hiding from us, isn't she?"

My mom sighed, speaking in a tone of supreme indulgence.

"We’ve ignored her for days. She must have learned her lesson by now. Call her and tell her to come home."

My dad pulled out his phone and dialed my number.

But to their surprise, the call didn't go through.

Usually, I answered their calls within three seconds.

But now, after dialing multiple times, there was only a cold, automated voice.

My parents frowned. A faint flicker of unease crossed their faces.

Clara, walking beside them, suddenly lowered her head and put on a sorrowful act.

"Mom, Dad... is Chloe still mad at me? Does she hate me for taking your love away?"

My dad's expression instantly hardened. He shoved his phone into his pocket and sneered.

"That ungrateful brat! She actually turned off her phone on purpose!"

My mom gnashed her teeth in anger.

"She's throwing a tantrum because we left her on the mountain. What a childish, petty drama queen!"

My dad's eyes flared with rage.

"Miserable girl! She's doing this to make us worry so we'll go begging for her return!"

"Almost fell for her little game!"

My mom snorted. "Her manipulation tactics are getting ridiculous."

She took Clara’s hand and walked toward the reception desk, her voice cold.

"Let’s go. Don't worry about her. We'll do the discharge paperwork for Clara first."

"She likes keeping her phone off? Let's see how long she can go without crawled back to us."

I glared at Clara. Even now, she was actively poisoning their minds against me.

But then again, my parents always chose to believe her. They always chose her.

I clutched my spectral chest, feeling a phantom pain so sharp I had to crouch on the floor.

As they were finalizing the paperwork, my boyfriend, Ethan, rushed into the lobby.

He ran up to my parents, panting and terrified.

"Mr. and Mrs. Vance! Something’s wrong with Chloe!"