I sat on a lounge chair by the riverside near the hospital, listening to Victoria’s verbal abuse through the phone.]]
“Come on over. I’m right here by the river.“[]
Twenty minutes later, Victoria rushed over with Marcus and Zara,[]
Her first words an accusation-
“Riley, what the hell is this game you’re playing? Taking the money and not following through?“]
“If you even think about backing out, I’ll have you arrested for extortion!“]
I turned around, without any mask, and all three of them saw my disgusting profile.[]
Victoria froze for a moment, then quickly covered Zara’s eyes.]
“What are you doing! You know how you look–put your mask back on before you traumatize people!“]]
This was Marcus’s first time seeing me like this too.
He just stood there, speechless.[]
“Do you think I’m ugly?“]
“When Dad died, you said you couldn’t go on and wanted us both to drink sulfuric acid.“[]
“You grabbed that bottle and poured it right down my throat. If your hand hadn’t shaken, I might not even be alive today. And now you think I’m hideous?“]
“You have this perfect family, but she’s your only daughter? What am I then?“]
Zara was learning about all this for the first time.[]
She slowly pulled Victoria’s hand away from her face, looking at her with shock–filled eyes, seemingly waiting for an answer.[]
“Why are you bringing up ancient history now! The important thing is donating bone marrow to your sister! That’s all in the past–why drag it up?”
Victoria tugged on Marcus’s arm.[]
“Marcus, help me out here. Your sister’s condition can’t wait. Every second we delay puts her in more danger!“]
Marcus nodded and stepped forward.]
“Whatever happened back then was probably just a misunderstanding. Talk it out and you’ll be fine.“[]
“When we get married, it’ll bring our families even closer.“]]
Chapter 4
Marcus’s words made me laugh bitterly. I turned my scarred side toward him.[]
“What about my face? Who’s going to give me my face back?“]
Victoria was losing patience, showing zero remorse.[]
“What’s with all this back and forth? You took the money but won’t do the job. Either give me the money back, or get moving. You’re not the only person in the world who can donate bone marrow!“]
I glanced at the reporters hiding behind them and continued addressing Victoria.[]
“So why won’t you answer my question directly? Is it that hard to admit you were wrong?“]
Zara finally couldn’t take it anymore and shook off Victoria’s hand.[]
“Mom, is what she’s saying true? Are you really like this?“]
Victoria’s face flashed with shame–angry that I was embarrassing her in front of her precious daughter.[]
“Riley, why don’t you just die already?!“]]
“What did I do wrong? People have to look out for themselves, don’t they? I carried you for nine months and gave birth to you. I gave you life! You should be grateful to me.“[]
“After your father died, I went looking for my own happiness. My life doesn’t revolve around you. You’re always obsessing over whether I think about you or not. It’s annoying as hell.“]
“If you had died back then, I might have felt guilty. Instead, you’re here threatening me, making me wish I hadn’t been shaky and finished poisoning you properly!“]
After getting the answer, Zara grabbed Marcus and they turned to leave.[]
Splash!
Suddenly there was the sound of something hitting the water behind them.[]
They both turned around at the same time-
“RILEY!!”
Their shouts were drowned by the current, their figures blurred by the water’s surface.[]
I didn’t struggle, letting the rushing river carry me away…]
