Never Love: What They Gave Me

[What kind of person says something like that?]

[No matter what, she is still your daughter. How can you be so blatantly two-faced?]

Even the reporter stepped in. “Mrs. Xerri, Ruby is still your daughter no matter what. How could you say such things about her?”

My mother let out a cold, derisive laugh.

“She cursed at Davina at school the very day she transferred in, blocked her in an alley with a gang of thugs, and even stole the only keepsake Davina’s parents left her, then tossed it down a sewer.

“With someone that hopeless, I would rather not have her as a child at all.”

Her words lit a fire in the livestream comments. Some classmates recognized me immediately.

[Isn’t that Ruby Xerri from our class? She is always bullying her younger sister. I have seen it myself. Honestly, no wonder her mom talks like that.]

[Wait, is this for real? She is the so-called ‘hero’ in the news?!]

The harsh words scrolled across the screen like burning brands. The reporter was at a loss for words for a moment.

That was when Mrs. Lawson wiped away her tears and lifted her head.

“Ruby's a good girl. There must be a misunderstanding. Back when I was alone at home and could barely get around, it was Ruby who bought all my groceries and daily necessities. Every weekend, without fail, she had come over to keep me company, chatting with me and taking me out to sit in the sun.

“She donates to the orphanage and plays with the children there every day.

“I know people. Ruby is nothing like what you are saying.”

I heaved a sigh. Too bad I would not be able to keep her company anymore.

Mrs. Lawson took the phone and spoke into it. “Zoey, you should come home and check on Ruby.

“She never misses a weekend with me, but she has not shown up at all this weekend. I am afraid something might have happened.”

My mother clicked her tongue in annoyance. “She has two working hands and legs. What could possibly happen to her?”

Mrs. Lawson’s eyes welled up again as though something had just occurred to her.

“The night before last, when I got up to use the bathroom, I saw someone standing outside your house. I thought it was her father at first, but now… now I cannot shake the feeling that something is wrong. I knocked on the door a few times, but no one ever answered.”

The livestream erupted again.

[Oh my goodness, could this be revenge?]

[I still cannot believe someone with her kind of character is the same ‘hero’ from the reports.]

[Forget that. If this really was revenge, she might already be in serious danger.]

Even the reporters grew tense, urging my parents to hurry home.

In the end, they did come back. I finally let out a breath when I saw them arrive; at least Chloe would be safe now.

However, my father’s expression was like a stone. His eyes swept over the scene. He furrowed his brows at the sight of the professional equipment set up outside.

My mother’s voice was still edged with ice as she cursed under her breath and unlocked the door.

“What could possibly have happened to her?”

The moment the door opened, a stench of rot rolled out, so sharp and foul it made their eyes sting.

The reporter’s brow furrowed. The stench was not right.

Then they saw what was inside.

Furniture shoved aside bore deep, jagged knife marks. On the table sat half a bowl of plain noodles, left to spoil, and on the floor, a smear of blood had long since dried.

The livestream chat went wild again: [This… this really looks like a crime scene.]