My Birthday, My Downfall novel Chapter 17

I moved into a high-end apartment, where the security was strict, and the environment felt much safer.

Unexpectedly, my foster parents didn’t show up, but Xena did.

She was arguing with the security guard at the entrance, drawing a crowd of onlookers. I casually walked over to eavesdrop, only to realize it was her.

Her hair was messy, looking dry and rough, and her face was ashen. It seemed like life at the Smith family wasn’t going well for her.

I turned to leave, but she grabbed me.

She knelt down, her voice shaky with tears: "Please, go back and see Mom and Dad!"

"Which parents?" I was confused.

Her expression froze for a moment, but she quickly recovered, "Smith's parents."

"They’re so worried they’ve fallen ill. No one’s doing the farm work at home, and you’re living here comfortably while they’re eating leftovers."

"Come back with me!" She knelt with genuine emotion, but I could see the malice in her eyes.

A sense of unease crept over me, but I tried to pull away, only to be forcibly dragged by Charlie and Chad.

"They’re sick, they just want to see their ungrateful daughter!" Charlie growled.

"You’re hiding here now?!"

Realizing they were trying to take me back, I struggled with all my might. But their strength was overwhelming. I shouted at the onlookers, "Call the police! They’re human traffickers!"

If they took me back to the Smith family village, I might never escape.

The crowd whispered amongst themselves, seemingly hesitant to intervene.

"Security! I’m a resident here! You can’t let them take me!" I frantically called to the guard.

The security guard hesitated, trying to calm me down. "Miss, it’s time to go home."

"If I’m taken, I’ll report you! I’ll get you fired!" I yelled, panic rising. "You’re not protecting the residents!"

"In broad daylight, they’re kidnapping me right in front of my doorstep! I’ll report you!" I screamed, struggling.

Charlie slapped a hand over my mouth. "This is how my sister is—she gets the money and forgets her original parents!" He smirked, dragging me toward a van.

"Wait! We need to see her decision!" The security guard stepped in front of them, trying to pull me out of Charlie’s grip.

"My mom... she won’t be okay, will she?"

Luke patted my shoulder, trying to reassure me. "Don’t worry."

Fortunately, the ambulance arrived soon, but I was taken to the police station to give a statement.

At the station, I learned the full story.

Xena and Charlie had planned to kidnap me and extort money from the Hall family.

I watched the surveillance footage of Charlie chasing me, knife in hand.

Just as he was about to catch me, Mom appeared.

Without hesitation, she stepped in front of me, blocking Charlie. She grabbed onto him, even though he had the knife.

Charlie, furious, stabbed her several times.

Mom still clung to him, not letting go until she finally collapsed, unconscious.

My chest tightened with a wave of pain. Tears blurred my vision, and I could barely hold them back.