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Chloe's mom had locked me in a dog cage, starving me until I passed out.
Then she blamed me, and my father whipped me.
To cover the bruise and wounds, I wore long sleeves in summer, thus laughed at by everyone.
I said tonelessly, "Mom, I won't repeat your mistakes."
Her face paled. Her chest started heaving violently.
Sigh. Remembering her doctor's warnings about Mom's condition, I pretended to gave in.
David helped me into the car, driving us home.
"I'll enroll Lily in boarding school. You can rest."
"I've got a meeting, but I'll be back soon."
"Text me anything you want to eat."
I nodded, smiling faintly, watching him leave as usual.
On my phone, Chloe's Facebook showed off a pink sports car.
"Thanks, boss, for the birthday gift! I'm yours forever."
David had been car-shopping lately. I'd thought it was for my old Toyota.
That post was just for me. Typical Chloe, hitting where it hurt.
I blocked her and called my doctor.
"I'd like to schedule an abortion."
...
I'd once hoped David could save me from my family.
When we were dating, David's work was slower. He'd take me to the beach.
With the sea breeze, he'd confessed his first marriage, saying it would be from love to ruin.
Touched, I'd shared my childhood pain.
He'd held me, saying, "Emma, you'll have a happy family now."
Later, he gave me a lavish wedding, all the respect I'd craved.
In return, I'd promised,
"David, I don't know how to be a good mom. My childhood was too broken."
"But I'll never let Lily suffer."
So I quit my law firm job to raise his daughter.
But that day, when I scolded her for hitting a classmate, she'd sneered,
"Stepmoms are always evil. Don't pretend you care."
"If you nag me again, I'll make Dad dump you."
It hurt. Abused by a stepmom, now insulted by a stepdaughter.
I sighed, wishing I could breathe out the bitterness.
My phone rang. Chloe, with a new number, gloated.
"Thought you had pride, but you're just another clingy woman."
"Your ending will be like your mom's. Being kicked out with nothing."
To keep my father, Mom had debased herself, even accepting his affair, which was truly pathetic.
Chloe continued,
"Divorce nicely, and I won't ruin you like your mom."
"As your sister, I'll make David give you a payout."
