Chapter 2
Mom immediately exploded.
“Oh, so she’s just MY daughter now?”
“David, if you can’t say anything smart, then don’t say anything at all! That quiet little brat is exactly like you never speaks up!”
Then Dad snorted. “At least my son behaves himself!”
And just like countless times before, they started screaming at each other because of me.
Neither of them even noticed I wasn’t in the car anymore.
I thought about what happened a few days ago when Jake and some older kids trapped me in the bathroom at school.
First, they blocked my way when I really had to pee, watching me cry from desperation.
But that just made Jake clap his hands and laugh.
“Ha! Emma wet herself! Everyone come look – she’s still peeing her pants like a baby!”
I was crying, calling him my big brother, begging him to let me through so I could use the bathroom.
Instead, he shoved me hard to the ground.
I couldn’t hold it anymore. The yellow puddle spread across the floor.
I don’t have a loser sister like you, you idiot!”
cried until my eyes were swollen shut.
Then after school, Jake grabbed my braids and threatened me:
If you tell Dad about this, I’ll block you from the bathroom every single day. Got it?”
was so scared of him. So I just nodded.
But the moment we got home, Jake ran straight to Mom and Dad, telling them I’d wet myself at school.
No… that’s not what happened…” I tried to explain.
Mom ripped off my clothes in disgust, jabbing her finger at my head.
You little troublemaker! Why can’t you be well-behaved like your sister?”
Vobody in this house ever believed a word I said.
My heart sank even deeper.
But hearing them fight worse and worse, I floated desperately between them, sobbing:
“Mom! Dad! Please stop fighting! I’m already dead!”
“You don’t have to drag me around anymore. Emma’s gone now. I won’t steal Jake and Madison’s love away from them anymore.”
But dead people’s voices can’t be heard.
I hung my head, completely defeated.
Mom was fuming, staring coldly out the window.
Meanwhile, Dad looked at the completely gridlocked highway ahead, his face dark as thunder.
He lit a cigarette and leaned back against the window, scrolling through his phone.
The local news feeds were all covering the accident.
Naturally, Dad came across them too.
I watched him pause for a few seconds after seeing the crash video.
1 floated over and gasped when I spotted that familiar bunny in the footage.
It was the one Mom and Dad had bought for me at Target for my third birthday.
He had to recognize it.
My heart soared with hope, waiting eagerly for Dad to realize it was me.
But just then. Madison suddenly spoke up:
“Daddy, can you buy me that Hogwarts owl plushie when we get there?”
Dad’s train of thought was completely broken.
He put his phone away and turned to her with a gentle smile:
Of course, sweetheart.”
I’ll get one for you and Jake both.”
Madison beamed. “You’re the best daddy ever.”
Seeing that sweet smile on her face made me tremble with fear.
ven as a little kid, I knew that Madison was one person in front of Mom and Dad, and completely different when we were alone.
Whenever our parents weren’t around, she’d hit me and scream at me.
Why are you trying to steal my mom?!”
You little bitch! It’s all your fault – you stole Mom’s love away from me!”
or as long as I could remember, my body was always covered in bruises.
