“You jinx, you’re a born bad seed! Nothing will ever fix you!”
In her rage, she lifted the bucket and dumped all the filthy water over me.
My body gave out—cold and burning all at once.
I collapsed, eyelids so heavy I thought I would die right there.
Just then, I heard a voice outside shout:
“Stop!”
When I woke again, Aunt Lisa was sitting by my side.
She was the only person in this world who ever cared for me.
Her eyes were red from crying as she whispered:
“Emily, you’ve suffered so much. There isn’t a single spot on your body without bruises.”
“I begged your mom to let you live with me, but your parents refused…”
“They said if you left, no one would be here to look after Jacob.”
Before she could finish, Dad stormed in.
He grabbed Aunt Lisa’s arm and flung her to the ground.
“This is our family business! Who are you to meddle?”
“You think having some money makes you special?”
“Unless you hand over your whole fortune, you’ll never take my daughter. I’d rather beat her to death first!”
He yanked me out of bed like a rag doll.
“Lazy trash! Still lying here? Get up and make dinner for Jacob!”
“Good for nothing! All you ever do is steal your brother’s chocolate!”