Victor didn’t even flinch. “Who knows where you dug up this nonsense? Stop making baseless accusations.”

His tone was cold and impatient. “Apologize to Lena right now, or forget about attending today’s banquet.”

Mom and Dad glared at me. “That’s right! If you don’t apologize, we won’t acknowledge you as our daughter anymore.”

I laughed, tears spilling down my face. “Fine. I was wrong. Is that what you want to hear?”

I was wrong for longing for family. I was wrong for coming back, even though I knew they never truly wanted me.

The worst mistake was letting them deceive me again and again, until it cost my child’s life.

With that, I turned and walked away.

But then, behind me, I heard Lena’s delicate voice. “Anna’s eyes look so scary...”

Before I could react, something heavy slammed into the back of my head.

The last thing I saw before losing consciousness was Victor holding a club and my own parents, holding ropes, ready to tie me up.

Through my tear-blurred vision, I caught a glimpse of something familiar. It was a team uniform.

I tried to call for help, but darkness swallowed me before I could make a sound.

At the banquet, Lena smiled brightly, basking in the attention.

But Victor was distracted.

He couldn’t stop thinking about the look in my eyes just before I collapsed. It was cold, desolate, like ice that had never melted for a thousand years.

It was the first time Victor had ever seen that look in my eyes.

Uneasy, he went to my parents, wanting to let me out.

But their response was simple. "She can come out when she admits she was wrong!"

***

The banquet was in full swing, but Victor couldn't sit still.

My screams and my accusations about his daughter kept echoing in his mind.

But soon, he dismissed the thought. How could I believe something so absurd, with no real evidence?

With that, his unease faded slightly.

To appease me, he had the servants send me my favorite—strawberry cake.

Yet before long, a servant ran back in a panic.

"Bad news, Mr. Ford. Miss Anna is gone!"