“It's also true that Audrey’s face was burned in that fire when she was a child. She is indeed not suitable to inherit the family business.”
When my dad heard this, he thought it was so true. He then smiled dotingly.
“Okay, my lovely daughter. I will immediately give you the money right away.”
Hearing this, my heart was already as if it was dead as ashes. I didn’t want to continue listening to their talks.
I went back to my room. I stayed up all night. All I could think about was the words my parents said in the restroom.
They probably had long forgotten how I got the scar on my face. When I was five years old, mom and dad locked me in the house while I was sleeping. They then accompanied Evelyn to the amusement park.
When they left the house, they forgot that water was still boiling on the gas stove. When the water dried up, it exploded and sparks splashed onto the curtains. It started a fire.
That day, I was woken up by the smoke and cowering alone on the balcony to ask for help. If my neighbours had not broken down the door to save me, I might have died in the fire. But my face was burned by the fire when I rushed out of the balcony, leaving scars and then many of my classmates laughed at me for being ugly.
But what made me sad was when my parents came home. They thought I was naughty and played with fire. They then beat me to death for having been frightened.
They didn't stop until the police investigated the scene and came to a conclusion.
After fifteen years, they still haven't given me an apology to this day. Nowadays, I didn't care anymore.
The next morning, I received a call from my boyfriend, Cornelius Holbrook.
“Hai, my love. I’m here.”
“You're just downstairs in my house?”
I hurriedly crawled out of the comforter, put on my clothes and went downstairs. Seeing Cornelius, my frozen heart finally felt a trace of warmth.
“It's New Year's Eve, my love. Why did you come over?”
Seeing me, Cornelius was also very happy. I led him into the house just in time to bump into Mom and Dad getting ready to go out.
But the moment they saw Cornelius Holbrook, they were both stunned at the same time.
My mom looked him up and down. She then asked in surprise, “My daughter, this is your classmate?”
I nodded to confess truthfully. “He is Cornelius Holbrook, my boyfriend.”
Cornelius was neither humble nor arrogant. He respectfully called out, “Uncle and Auntie, Happy New Year.”
When I was about to give Cornelius some water, I saw my mom mysteriously pulling my dad into the kitchen. While they weren't paying attention, I gently approached them.
“Marcello, that man is so handsome and he talks elegantly. How about introducing him to Evelyn?”
My father frowned after hearing this. “That's my daughter's boyfriend. How can you have such an idea?”
My mother was unimpressed. “The palms and backs of my hands are all flesh. Both of them are my daughters. It doesn't matter who he marries. Audrey’s body is not in good condition. Her face has a scar. She is not suitable for that young man. I think Evelyn has a good temperament and is pretty. The two of them are a good match on the contrary.”
My dad replied, “Anyway, I also like this man. If he wants to marry, he can only marry Evelyn.”
My dad was a bit embarrassed. When he walked out, I hurriedly pretended to fetch water and left. When I carried the water cup towards Cornelius, my hand holding the water cup kept trembling. I didn't know if it was because I was angry or because my heart was broken by my disappointment in them.
I couldn't figure out how my biological parents would snatch away their own daughter's boyfriend for a fake daughter, who was not related to me with no blood relationship.
At this moment, the only trace of warmth left in my heart shattered. I didn't want to stay at home any longer. I then took Cornelius's hand intending to go out to watch a movie.
But my mom stopped us on our way. She had a kind smile on her face and said, “Where are you going? Please, stay at home for lunch.”
I wanted to refuse, but Cornelius happily agreed because he wanted to get on good terms with my parents.
