My Birthday, My Downfall novel Chapter 4

Mom also sighed, "Emma, why are you still so inconsiderate."

Lily began to cry right on cue.

"Mom, Dad, why does sister seem even worse-tempered than before? My head hurts so much..."

Jake grabbed my hand, making as if to drag me outside.

"Emma Stone, since you show no remorse, back to rehab you go!"

"No! I won't go back! I'll be very good! Please! Don't take me back there..."

I broke free from his grip, frantically looking for a place to hide.

Jake reached out to pull me back but only caught my dress.

With a ripping sound, the dress tore.

Revealing a back covered in horrific scars, crisscrossed and hideous.

Everyone froze.

I panicked immediately, falling to my knees and repeatedly banging my head on the floor.

"I was wrong... I won't run away..."

"The master can do whatever you want to me. Don't hit me. I will undress herself..."

Jake finally realized I wasn't pretending.

He gripped my hands tightly, though somewhat awkwardly, as if not knowing how to comfort me.

"Don't be afraid... little sister. No one is going to hit you."

Mom came over crying to examine the scars on my back, saying in disbelief:

"How could this happen? How could my daughter's back have so many scars?"

Dad turned to Dr. Wang: "Quick! See what's wrong with the scars on her back!"

Dr. Smith hurried forward, but the moment his hand touched my back, I flinched.

"Don't touch me!"

"Mom! Help me, help me!"

I threw myself into Mom's arms, sobbing loudly.

The whole family showed expressions of heartache.

From the side, Lily raised a quiet question.

"Sister, why is it that everywhere else on you is fine, but only your back has injuries?"

Mom, Dad, and Jake heard Lily's words and grew suspicious again.

My heart skipped a beat as I finally remembered—they had covered up all my injuries.

The special effects makeup artist said the makeup wouldn't wash off with water, only with a specific acidic shower gel.

So what was going on with the scars on my back?

Before I could think further, Jake reached out and wiped my back.

The crisscrossed scars on my back instantly became crooked and smeared.

"Just as I thought—they're painted on. They're fake!"

I was like a broken, lonely doll, forgotten in a corner.

Everyone surrounded Lily, wishing her a happy birthday.

Lily smiled sweetly, accepting everyone's gifts.

Jake gave her a dazzling diamond dress, which delighted her.

"I want to give this dress to big sister. Is that okay?"

"She came back in such a hurry and doesn't have a new dress..."

She clung to my arm ingratiatingly.

Everyone praised her for her grace and generosity, saying she was truly worthy of being the young lady her parents had raised.

I knew that if I refused or resisted, she would certainly cause trouble again and smear me.

So I remained numb and didn't resist.

"Emma Stone, learn from Lily! She's the one who deserves to be the Stone family heiress!"

Jake reprimanded me in a low voice, while Mom and Dad sighed.

"How could our own daughter turn out like this..."

I gave a mocking smile. They had had chances to know the truth.

But they were always blinded and manipulated by Lily.

And such parents and a brother like them, I didn’t want anymore.