Over the next two years, Trisha and Kian changed in ways that made my skin crawl.

They stopped provoking us.

They even began to act friendly.

Kian often chatted warmly with Carmela, saying that once she got into university, he'd personally teach her how to manage the family's business.

Trisha became the picture of a dutiful younger sister—obedient, polite, full of flattery.

On our eighteenth birthday they were unusually generous with gifts and congratulations. Before the banquet began, they suggested a "surprise"—a trip to the mountaintop to watch fireworks. My best friend and I, still naive enough to be curious, climbed into the car and followed them.

But when we arrived at that desolate mountain peak, the night turned cold—and deadly.

The moment we stepped out of the car, several burly men burst out of the tall grass, eyes gleaming with malice.

Carmela reacted first—throwing two punches, taking two men down—but before she could handle the rest, Trisha clung to her leg, screaming for help.

"Help! Don't hurt my sister!"

I moved to help, but a rough hand slammed a drugged handkerchief over my mouth and nose. My vision blurred; my knees went soft.

"Yanna!" Carmela screamed, rushing toward me—and the next thing I knew, the same damp cloth covered her face as well.

Everything went dark. In less than a minute, we both went limp on the ground.

Kian and Trisha, who were crying in panic and fighting with the criminal just a second ago, laughed out loud.

"Take them somewhere out of sight. Remember, don't kill them, just take clear footage."

Kian crouched beside my best friend, gave her cheek a sharp pat, and sneered. "Especially this one. I want her ruined for life."

The gang leader chuckled, rubbing his grimy hands together.

"Don't worry, Mr. Kian. We'll give you exactly what you want. Heh heh."

They hauled us into the back of a van and drove off. In the front seat, the kidnappers joked about how easy it had been.

"Rich family, huh? The son and daughter plotting against their own sisters. Guess we're the lucky ones tonight!"

"Never had a chance to play with such pretty little rich girls before, hahaha..."

They stopped at an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts. The men popped the trunk to drag us out—and their smirks froze like they'd seen a ghost.