Chapter 2
Chapter 2
Since our house had burned down, we needed to find somewhere else to live.
Fortunately, we had lived in a detached house, so the fire hadn’t affected anyone else.
“Finding a place is complicated, and it’s hard to manage three kids. We can only take two with us; the other one will have to stay somewhere else for
now.”
When Dad said this, everyone automatically turned to look at me.
I gave a bitter smile.
In the past, I would have thrown myself into my parents‘ arms, pleaded and cried until they sighed: “Oh We just can’t say no to you. We’ve spoiled you too much, that’s why you’re always throwing these little tantrums.”
But Noah and Emma never had to beg for what they wanted.
This time, I didn’t make a scene. I just nodded slightly, took a step back, and said in a hoarse voice: “I’ll go.”
They all looked at me in surprise but said nothing more.
So I was sent to my uncle’s house.
Every day I had to watch my uncle and aunt’s expressions to know how to act.
At first, they would smile at me occasionally, but later they simply treated me with coldness.
No matter how early I got up to do all the housework, or how many plastic bottles I collected and exchanged for money to give them, they still wore twisted expressions of displeasure.
Until one afternoon, after I finished cleaning the bathroom, I overheard their conversation.
“When is she leaving?” my aunt asked.
“Just a few more days,” my uncle replied.
“Ugh, can’t you smell her? These days, just talking to her makes me want to shower twice. And the extra mouth to feed–the pressure is too much.”
I looked down and sniffed myself.
They didn’t like me using their shower, so I didn’t dare to.
That evening, I smiled at the dinner table and said: “Uncle, I don’t feel comfortable in my current room. Why don’t I move to the basement? I won’t join you for meals either–I can manage on my own.”
I carefully controlled my expression and tone, making it sound as casual as discussing the day’s events, afraid of displeasing them.
They nodded, their icy faces thawing somewhat.
“Here, Riley, don’t just eat rice. Have some of this,” my aunt said, unusually placing a piece of egg on my plate.
The basement was freezing.
The door couldn’t keep out the cold wind, which stung my wounds, making them itch and burn.
I wrapped myself tightly in a tattered blanket as tears and snot streamed down my face.
My mouth was parched–I hadn’t had water all day. Driven by intense thirst, I crept outside.
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Burnt Beauty, Family Beasts
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Chapter 2
At the entrance, dirty water leaked from a pipe.
A stray cat was licking it.
I hesitated, then got down on all fours. In the face of thirst, dignity becomes meaningless.
The water felt cold and strangely sweet.
When I finished drinking and stood up, wiping my mouth, I realized Noah had been standing there watching me, his face expressionless. I had no idea how long he’d been there.
Why was he suddenly here? And he’d been… watching me like this.
My body swayed slightly, ready to flee and hide.
“Come on, let’s go have a Christmas‘ Eve dinner,” he said abruptly, stepping forward.
I hadn’t expected this from him and I was afraid my smell would offend him, so I backed away nervously..
But he frowned and grabbed my arm. “Move it!” he commanded, pulling me to his car.
Filled with unease, I arrived at their new home.
I didn’t go in, just stood outside looking.
A two–story house with a small yard. Very clean and tidy.
They didn’t seem to be struggling financially. So why couldn’t they have taken me with them?
I hung my head, reluctant to enter.
Inside, I could hear their happy voices. Mom and Dad calling Emma their “precious girl,” laughing joyfully. I felt completely out of place.
Just then, Emma asked, “Where’s Riley?” The atmosphere suddenly grew cold. No one spoke. Noah stood beside me, expressionless.
“Hmph, she burned down our house and still has the nerve to show her face? Tell her to come for a meal, but when she gets here, we need to have a serious talk with her!” Mom said coldly.
I looked at Noah in disbelief.
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