Two years ago, Jessica threw a fit and tried to end her life. That’s why my adoptive brother sent me deep into the remote mountains. Two years later, I was finally allowed to come home. And I had completely gotten over Liam. But no one believed me. Their eyes were full of suspicion. “That’s your sister’s fiancé. Do you want to harm your sister and make her try to kill herself again? How could you be so vicious?” “The Carters kindly adopted you, but they raised an ungrateful monster. Why didn’t you just die in those mountains?” “Alice, you don’t deserve to live!” Listening to their barrage of insults, I clutched Pippin to my chest and said nothing. But later, Pippin, who had been with me all this time, suddenly went missing. My already frayed nerves finally snapped. I collapsed to my knees, begging them to give my dog back. “Please, I won’t fight with my sister. I don’t like Liam anymore. Can you please give me my dog back?” My frantic, deranged state didn’t seem like an act, and finally, no one doubted me anymore. Liam pulled me into a tight, heartbroken embrace, his voice trembling: “Alice, don’t cry.” “From now on, I’ll be your Pippin, okay?” But Liam, I don’t need you anymore. I just want my Pippin. … As soon as I came down from the mountains, reporters swarmed me. Their eyes were filled with scorn, as if I had committed some unforgivable crime. “How dare that ungrateful wretch even show her face?” “Weren’t there any widowers in those mountains? Why didn’t one marry her and beat her to death? Or let her die in childbirth?” “At the very least, a car crash on the way back would have been a public service!”
The insults pounded in my ears, but I tuned them all out. I just clutched Pippin, gently comforting him: “Pippin, we’re home now. No one can bully us anymore.” Pippin whimpered softly in my arms, a tiny response. I hugged him tight as I got into the car waiting to take me home. Stepping out, I stared blankly at what used to be my home. A woman draped in jewels and luxury came out to meet me, but I instinctively recoiled, clutching Pippin closer. Her welcoming steps faltered. Her face crumpled in hurt: “Alice, what’s wrong? It’s Mom!” “M-mom…” A dry, raspy sound clawed its way out of my throat, grating and ugly. Mrs. Carter instinctively frowned. Her displeased face merged with the twisted, menacing one from the mountains. I collapsed to my knees in a frantic mess, slapping myself repeatedly, desperately: “I’m sorry, I was wrong. It’s all my fault, I shouldn’t have upset you. I’m sorry… so sorry…” I was lost in my own private hell until Pippin’s little head nuzzled me, bringing me back to reality. Mom was sobbing uncontrollably, covering her face as she left. A servant shakily led me into the house. I heard a furious roar: “What right does she have to blame us?” “Jessica was out there for years because of her, almost ripped away from us forever. And she actually has the gall to come back? If she had even an ounce of gratitude for our years of raising her, she should have just died out there!” “Keep your voice down.” Mrs. Carter tried to soothe him. “Once Jessica and Liam are engaged, and everything settles down, maybe Alice won’t have those inappropriate thoughts anymore.” “After all, we raised her since she was little. I can’t bear to marry her off to some widower.” I hugged Pippin, my body trembling, desperately trying to hold back my tears. The moment they agreed to let Liam send me to those mountains, I shouldn’t have held onto any hope, should I? Pippin’s little tail swept against my chin. I exhaled softly and followed the servant to my room.
At the welcome home dinner, my plate and forks were placed at the very end of the table. I quietly picked them up and went to crouch in a corner. Mrs. Carter frowned at me: “What are you doing?” “Two years in the mountains and you’ve forgotten basic etiquette?” I buried my head in the bowl, gripping the forks tightly: “I haven’t forgotten.” Mrs. Carter sighed, about to pull me up, when Jessica suddenly cleared her throat and announced: “Dad, Mom, Liam and I are planning our engagement ceremony for next week.” Her gaze then shifted to me, a meaningful look in her eyes: “Oh, and Alice, I hope you’ll bless your sister’s engagement. You’ll definitely love the ceremony, it’s outdoors.” Outdoors? A lawn wedding? My spoon paused mid-air. Flashes of memory flickered through my mind, of me blushing shyly in Liam’s arms. “Liam, when we get engaged, I want green grass, a blue sky, and birds in the trees, celebrating with us, okay?” In that memory, Liam’s face was etched with impatience. “Alice, can you be a bit more sensible?” “Can’t you see I’m busy?” I hastily shut up, quickly lowering my head in submission. “I’m sorry. You go ahead and work then.” That topic died before it even began. Later, Liam never asked again, and I never dared to bring it up. Until Jessica came back. My fork clattered against the bowl, a sharp sound that jolted me awake. I quickly grabbed my food and started wolfing it down. When I was done, I presented the sparkling clean bowl to them. “I licked the bowl clean,” I pleaded, trying to please them. “Can I go now?” Mrs. Carter’s smile froze. “Alice, where are you going?” “Tell Mom what you want, and Mom will have someone buy it for you.” She subtly gestured to the maids, telling them to stop me. Watching the maids surround me, my eyes widened in terror. I instinctively fell to my knees, clutching my head, begging desperately: “Don’t hit me, please don’t hit me! I’m sorry… I’m so sorry. Take whatever you want… I’ll never dare again, never again…” “Alice…” Mrs. Carter choked out, rushing to hug me, but I recoiled even more violently. “Mom… Mom will protect me? No… Mom is bad, Mom doesn’t love me…” I mumbled incoherently, my body pressed tightly against the corner of the wall. Everyone at the dinner table had different expressions, but no one spoke. They exchanged glances, then scoffed at me with thinly veiled contempt. She even tried to steal her sister’s fiancé; faking madness to gain sympathy wasn’t really that strange. On the day of Jessica’s engagement, she specifically asked me to be there. She announced to everyone that I was her sister, and no matter how much I hurt her, she would forgive me. So, in the eyes of outsiders, Jessica was the generous, kind sister, and I was the wicked, ungrateful adopted daughter. Stealing her sister’s fiancé, forcing her sister to attempt suicide—it was unforgivable. The old stories resurfaced, and my ears were filled with all sorts of vile remarks. Some cursed me to die a terrible death, others sympathized with Jessica for having such a malicious sister. And some whispered gleefully behind their hands: “I heard she was sent to the mountains for two years. I wonder if she hooked up with any men?” “I heard the men in the remote mountains work the land daily, they’re strong and robust, probably a real treat. She couldn’t have resisted the temptation, could she?” “Who knows? If she hadn’t finally given up on her sister’s fiancé, why would Liam have bothered to bring her back?” These formerly distinguished socialites now spat venom like gossiping hags. I listened to every word, clutching Pippin tighter. Pippin growled restlessly in my arms. I gently stroked his head: “Hush, boy. Don’t cause trouble, Pippin. Causing trouble gets you beaten.” After calming Pippin, I looked up and met Liam’s eyes. Memories washed over me like a tidal wave. My scalp crawled, and my body began to tremble uncontrollably. By the time I reacted, I was already on my knees.
Mr. Carter’s face was grim as he yanked me up. Mrs. Carter blocked the other guests’ view. “Alice, we’ve given you a good life, good food, and good care, and you’re still playing the victim to tarnish your sister’s reputation? How can you be so thoughtless!” Mrs. Carter’s harsh voice startled me. I pulled away from Mr. Carter’s hand and knelt on the floor, trembling uncontrollably: “I’m sorry, I won’t dare again, never again…” Seeing my breakdown, Mrs. Carter softened her tone and held me, soothing me. I finally calmed down. The engagement ceremony continued. The engaged couple went around to toast. When they reached our table, after my parents offered their blessings, Jessica and Liam’s eyes fell on me: “Miss Alice, don’t you have any blessings for your sister and her fiancé?” Liam’s familiar voice echoed above my head. My fingers were tangled in Pippin’s leash, and I dared not move. After a long moment, Liam sneered. “Forget it. Your blessings disgust me.” “Woof woof…” Pippin barked a couple of times, as if comforting me. I whimpered back, then grabbed Liam as he was about to leave. “Mr. Hayes…” “Miss Alice, did I give you permission to speak?” Liam shook off my hand, his face etched with impatience. My parents also looked tense. I mustered every ounce of courage, pulled an aluminum can ring from my bag. “The ring you gave me, returning what’s yours.” Liam and I were childhood sweethearts. Everyone once thought we were a match made in heaven. They all assumed we would naturally end up together. We thought so too. On my eighteenth birthday, Liam, blushing fiercely, handed me an aluminum can ring. He said it was a token of our love, and his early wedding ring for me. He told me not to like anyone else. I listened to him. I never imagined Liam would be the first to betray me. Jessica’s appearance completely stole Liam’s heart. From that day on, all our vows and promises were nothing but a fragile bubble, scattered by the wind. I cried, I threw tantrums. Finally, I understood it was all a cruel, empty dream. Love was a luxury I couldn’t afford. “Alice…” Mrs. Carter awkwardly pulled me back. Liam, however, chuckled softly and took the aluminum can ring. As I watched, he casually tossed it to the ground. “It was just a childish joke. Such a cheap trinket. I never thought Miss Alice would actually take it seriously and keep it for so long?” His words made me feel like a complete joke. My cheeks burned instantly. “Woof woof…” Pippin barked a couple of times, making me quickly lower my head, so I didn’t have to scramble blindly under Liam’s knowing, mocking gaze. After the ceremony, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. I also returned to my old job. To my surprise, my first client was Jessica. She ignored Pippin’s warning growls and stood too close to me. “Little sister, it seems two years in the mountains have made you much more obedient. You actually watched Liam and me get engaged without a fuss.” Jessica’s taunt left me expressionless. Two years in the mountains had taught me that love came at a price. Liam’s love had too high a price; I couldn’t afford it. Seeing no reaction from me, her frustration flared into anger: “Alice, don’t think playing the victim at the engagement party will earn you sympathy. I’m telling you, Dad and Mom will marry you off to some faraway place sooner or later!” “You’d better keep up this act!” I didn’t reply, my gaze fixed on her wrist. There was a faint scar from her suicide attempt. It was because of that scar that I was thrown into the mountains for two years, enduring unspeakable torment. I still remembered Jessica’s suicide note: “Little sister, please don’t torment me anymore. I’m giving Dad, Mom, and Liam to you. From now on, I hope you’ll take good care of them.” By the time I snapped back, Pippin had actually chased Jessica out of the room. As I rushed out, I heard Jessica shriek, collapsing to the ground, clutching her blood-soaked leg.
“Jessica, what happened to you?!” Before I could reach Jessica, Liam rushed in from outside, his face etched with frantic concern, his eyes smoldering with rage. It was the exact same expression he’d had the day Jessica attempted suicide. Back then, I desperately tried to explain, but Liam kicked me away. My head slammed against the coffee table, blood gushing. He didn’t even seem to see it, cradling Jessica in a helpless panic as he rushed her to the hospital. As he left, he warned me: “Alice, if anything happens to Jessica, I’ll make you pay with your life.” When Liam returned, haggard and worn, there was no emotion in his eyes. “Alice, we’ve spoiled you rotten all these years, letting you lose all sense of proportion.” “From today on, you’ll go to the place where Jessica lived, experience the hardships she endured, and hopefully, you’ll become a little kinder.” But Jessica had lived in a village not far from the city. I, on the other hand, was sent to the mountains, thousands of miles away. Thinking of that pain, I bolted. But Liam called out to me: “Alice, don’t you have anything to say?” “Woof woof woof… Woof woof…” I shook my head, retreating in a panicked mess. But Pippin was still next to Jessica. I had no choice but to force myself to call him. “Pippin, come back.” Knowing Liam’s personality, if he found out Pippin had bitten Jessica, he’d surely kill him. I was terrified. I was pulling Pippin away when Liam clamped his hand around my throat, pinning me to the ground. “Still playing innocent?” “It seems two years in the mountains haven’t taught you anything.” “Alice, Jessica is kind and gentle; she’s always spoken highly of you to me. What more could you possibly be dissatisfied with her about?” I’m not dissatisfied with her! It was Jessica who wouldn’t let me go. I frantically pounded on Liam. But he not only didn’t let go, he also had someone restrain Pippin. Furious, I screamed with a sudden burst of courage. “You never believed me!” “I never did anything, but you never believed me!” “Liam, just kill me, please let Pippin go, I beg you!” I was sobbing hysterically. I couldn’t imagine the cost of losing Pippin. Liam, however, put Pippin in a cage and told me with a smile: “If you chase after me, I’ll let him go.” He drove Jessica to the hospital. I ran wildly behind them. Eventually, my strength gave out, and I fainted. When I woke up again, I was locked in a dog cage by Liam. Pippin was perfectly fine, and I breathed a sigh of relief. I knelt, begging Liam to let us go, but he refused. “You’ve hurt Jessica again and again. Do you really think you can get away with it so easily?” Liam was going to punish me again. But Pippin was also trapped, and no one could save me. My heart turned to ash. I couldn’t fight off sleep any longer. In my dream, I was back in the mountains. During the day, I was treated like livestock. Plowing fields, cutting hay, herding sheep—endless heavy, exhausting work. The slightest hesitation earned me a lashing. At night, I was chained up like a dog, guarding doors house to house. The owners would feed me stale, rotten food. The food was impossible to swallow, but I couldn’t complain, or I’d be beaten again. And then there were… some masked men. They would show up when I was resting. “Get away!” “Let go of me, don’t touch me!” “Please, I beg you!” “Don’t hit me!” Outside, dogs barked incessantly. I couldn’t help but whimper, thrashing around. I felt an icy hand on my forehead. My body seemed to feel a little better. Those hateful people also disappeared. Drowsily, I heard someone shout. “If anything happens to Alice, I’ll make you pay with your lives!” Liam also said he’d make me pay with my life. I shivered in fear: “Don’t make me pay with my life!” The voices instantly softened to a gentle murmur, and I relaxed slightly. “How is she? Is she okay?” “This particular illness is mostly gone now.” “But…” The conversation trailed off. “But the old wounds, and the sickness in her heart, are likely hard to heal.” “Mr. Hayes, you’ve been with Miss Jessica for so long, didn’t you see the scars all over her body?” That’s right. My wrists and ankles couldn’t hide them. I instinctively flinched. But then I heard a voice very much like Liam’s, speaking huskily: “These… how were these caused?” The conversation continued, but it seemed to drift further away. I could only faintly hear: “Imprisonment… whippings… burns… chains…” I was terrified. I curled into a tight ball, covering my ears and screaming: “Stop talking! Stop talking!”
🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “296706”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic
Leave a Reply