chapter 3

After school that day, the driver came to pick us up. In the car, Rebecca eyed my schoolbag.

She demanded, "Sevyn, what did Barry give you today? Take it out and let me have a look."

"Nothing special," I said, as uncooperative as ever.

In my past life, Barry had little to do with either of us.

But in this life, Barry and I became good friends.

We attended a prestigious private school that covered elementary, middle, and high school. We were in the second grade of middle school, while Barry was a freshman in high school.

"Sevyn, stop acting like a real-life princess. You're just a pet my family keeps. Do you really think you can be Barry's girlfriend? Don't be delusional," Rebecca sneered.

"None of your business," I replied coldly.

Rebecca smiled maliciously, "Rather than chasing after Barry, you'd better try to please me. I can introduce you to the son of a butler or a driver as a boyfriend later."

Please her? I tried that in my past life, and the ending was a disaster.

Seeing I wasn't going to give in, Rebecca went home and tattled to Evelyn.

"Mom, Sevyn not only doesn't listen to me at school, but she also sneaks off to meet Barry. There's evidence in her schoolbag. Make her take it out and show you," Rebecca whined.

Evelyn was furious. At the dinner table, she demanded I hand over the stuff, threatening not to let me eat dinner if I didn't.

"Fine, I'm not even hungry," I said, then turned and went upstairs to my bedroom.

Michael's and Evelyn's faces turned ashen.

"That ungrateful brat! If it weren't for Rebecca's health, I'd have her beaten up and thrown out right now," Evelyn shouted, smashing a delicate plate in front of her.

Michael tried to calm her down and said, "Let it go. For Rebecca's sake, we'll endure it."

But Rebecca fanned the flames and pressed, "Mom, Dad, are you really going to let me be bullied by this bitch? Can't you at least teach her a lesson if you won't kick her out?"

Evelyn relented and agreed, "Sure, but don't hurt her too badly. Otherwise, she won't be able to accompany you."

"It's okay, Mom. The master said as long as we're not separated for more than a week, it's fine. I'm sick of her following me around anyway," Rebecca said.

"Rebecca, be more patient. You still need her for now. When you don't, I'll get even for you," Evelyn said.

The next morning, after I finished washing up in my room and was about to go to school, I found the door was locked.

"Sevyn, stop struggling. Since you're so disobedient, you don't need to go to school with me from now on. Stay home and reflect on your place," Rebecca said through the door.

I didn't really care about missing a few days of school. I knew she'd let me out eventually.

So, I calmly took out the study materials Barry gave me from my schoolbag and started studying.

By afternoon, I took a big gulp of tap water in the bathroom to quiet my growling stomach.

I banged on the door desperately. Samuel said outside, "Miss Sevyn Wrenley, stop knocking. Mr. Wrenley and Mrs. Wrenley told me not to let you out."

"Samuel, if you won't let me out, at least give me some food. I'm starving," I pleaded.

"Sorry, Miss Sevyn Wrenley. Mr. and Mrs. Wrenley said no food for you," said Samuel, who was the old butler of the Wrenley family. He wouldn't disobey the orders for my pleading.

Giving up on the door, I opened the window instead.

But the first floor of the villa was about 20 feet high, and our room was on the third floor, which was equivalent to the fourth floor of a regular building. Jumping would probably break my bones even if I didn't die.

And even if I could get out the window, I couldn't avoid the villa's security guards.

On the first day, I managed to study, barely, just by drinking water.

The second day, hunger made it impossible for me to concentrate.

By the third day, I was so weak that I just lay in bed, hardly moving to conserve energy.

On the fourth day, the door opened.

Rebecca stood there, arms crossed, looking down at me. She smirked and said, "Sevyn, you look like hell. Starving isn't fun, right? Wanna eat? Just promise to be a good girl and stay away from Barry, and I'll give you food."

I propped myself up from the bed.

There was a malicious glint in Rebecca's eyes as she eagerly awaited my plea for mercy.

I stood up to meet her gaze, gave a faint smile, then bent down to pull out a utility knife from under my pillow. Without hesitation, I slit my wrist.