My Birthday, My Downfall novel Chapter 2

Later I found out they were preparing to fly Lily to South Korea for cosmetic surgery that day.

Mom, Dad, and Jake publicly stated that no matter what Lily looked like, she would always be their most beloved family member.

As for me, I never fit into their family. Not three years ago, and not now.

I slapped myself harder and harder, my face swelling and burning.

"Stop it!"

Jake restrained my hands, anger rolling in his eyes.

"Emma, have you really become this shameless?"

"Did you also use this trick in there—taking off your clothes and hurting yourself to gain their sympathy?"

"Those people are professionals specially instructed by me and our parents. They won't be softened by your little tricks."

At the mention of "parents," I finally recognized who he was.

"Brother, it's you..."

Jake froze, his expression growing darker as he gritted his teeth:

"Stop acting! It's only been a year. You can't possibly have forgotten who I am."

"We just wanted to teach you to be more obedient, more kind. Do you need to put on this pathetic show to disgust me?"

"Let me tell you! I recorded your self-slapping on video just now. Don't think about framing me later!"

Three years ago, after I was recognized and brought back to the Stone family, Lily would always find ways to hurt herself, then cry and say they shouldn't blame me.

Later, she even deliberately broke Dad's treasured antique vase and destroyed Jake's carefully built model, then blamed me for everything.

Whenever I defended myself and pointed fingers at Lily, they would only say:

"Don't try to frame others."

At my birthday party a year ago, my family said the same thing:

"You're the one who wanted to hurt your sister. Don't try to frame her!"

A sharp, dense pain spread through my chest, and my throat tightened.

Seeing that I had stopped talking, Jake dragged me into the car.

When we arrived home and the door opened, a figure threw herself into my arms.

"Sister, you're back! I've missed you so much!"

It was Lily, dressed in a pure, innocent outfit. Her face had been completely restored, looking exactly like the princess pampered by the whole family.

But as she hugged me tightly, her hands pressed hard against my injuries. She whispered in my ear:

The next moment, she let out a whimper, drawing Mom and Dad's attention.

The three of them surrounded her with concern, applying medicine, until they heard from Jake that I had hurt Lily.

Mom and Dad finally noticed me standing motionless at the door.

"Mom, Dad, don't blame sister. Even though she was well-fed and taught manners at the rehabilitation center, she was still confined. It's understandable for her to have some resentment..."

Lily sobbed as she pleaded for me, making Dad's face turn extremely unpleasant.

Slap!

He stormed over and slapped me hard across the face.

"Emma, did you learn nothing during this past year?!"

"How can you still be so vicious, targeting your sister as soon as you get back!"

The slap made my ears ring, and I nearly lost my balance.

Then I almost reflexively fell to my knees with a thud.

"I'm sorry... I'm sorry!"

"I was wrong. Don't punish me. I know I was wrong..."