The doctor finishes his exam, his face grim.
“Multiple fractures in the legs, two broken
ribs, burns on the arms.”
“Worst of all, her face was slashed with a
blade… extensive scarring…”
Dad goes white. “Scarring?”
My brother’s eyes are red. “No way…”
They carved my face with a blade. I begged
them to stop, crying on my knees. But no one
heard me.
That day and night will haunt me forever.
“Doc, whatever it takes, fix my daughter!”
The doctor nods. “We’ll do our best.”
My proud dad actually cries in front of me.
“It’s okay, Star. I’ll make you a princess,
L
everyone will look at you!”
I don’t believe him anymore.
After Dad and Wyatt leave to deal with things,
I wheel myself outside the room.
I dial the overseas number.
“I’ve decided. I want to inherit Mom’s share.”
“Star, where are you? I was so worried. I was
afraid you…”
Dad chokes up, pulling me into a hug. “I can’t
let you get hurt again!”
He glances at Wyatt, signaling him.
My brother grabs his phone, pretending to be
excited.
“Star, I talked to the specialists from
overseas! The team has arrived! We can get
you into surgery right away!”
I look at them, my gaze empty.
L
Now that I’m scarred, my legs don’t matter?
I don’t need their charity.
“Dad, it’s okay.”
Dad rushes to explain. “Star, surgery now will
give you the best chance of walking normally.
Otherwise, you could have a limp forever!”
I shake my head slowly. Nothing matters.
He starts to say something else, but my
brother skips over, all smiles. “Dad, Brittany’s
here.‘
Dad lights up. “Star, your friend is here to see
you! I’ll wheel you over.”
He doesn’t ask what I want.
I’m wheeled towards the room, my heart
heavy.
Brittany is Dad’s secret daughter with his
mistress.
L
He’s been hiding her for years.
Brittany always claimed I was mean to her.
She’d never visit.
“Star, are you okay? Everyone’s been so
worried. I’m here to check up on you.”
Brittany’s all sweetness and concern.
Then I notice the white chrysanthemums.
Those are for funerals.
Brittany sees me looking, and says quickly,
“Sorry. The flower shop was out of everything
else.”
“Oh… Mr. Winthrop, can I talk to Star alone?”
She bats her eyelashes.
Dad won’t say no. “Of course. Cheer her up
for us.”
They barely leave the room before Brittany
drops the act.
<
She looks me up and down, a pleased
expression on her face.
“Who would’ve thought? The almighty Star
Winthrop, now she’s just a slut.”
I glare. “Still better than being the dirty
secret.”
Brittany’s face twists. “So what if I’m
illegitimate? Dad loves my mom!”
“All that love, and they still had to hide in the
shadows for twenty years.”
Brittany’s eyes narrow, but then she smirks.
“You don’t know the half of it, Star. Dad hired
those thugs, and Wyatt posted the video at
school.”
“When you were getting tortured, Dad and
Wyatt were looking for my dog!”
“You’re worth less than a mutt to them.”
く
I thought I was prepared, but her words still
break me.
Brittany smiles, pure evil. “If I were you, I’d
just die. Give me your spot.”
She wants me to freak out.
But my heart is dead.
“I’m leaving. The spot is yours.
Brittany laughs. “That’s not all. I killed the
audition and have been accepted to Juilliard.
And you will live in a wheel chair.”
“But it is not enough, I want your Dad and
brother to despise you!”
She pulls a knife from her pocket and slashes
her face.
Brittany whispers, “Dad just wanted to scare
you. I gave them extra to make you suffer!”
I glance up, murderous.
<
The scream echoed.
Dad bursts in, knocking over my wheelchair.
“Brittany! What happened?”
Wyatt calls the doctors.
They are helping Brittany.
I lay on the floor in a puddle of blood.
Brittany sobs.
“I was trying to console Star when I said the
wrong thing. Please Star, don’t hurt me!”
Dad’s face turns dark.
“Brittany came to comfort you. You should
not have hurt her!”
Wyatt said, “You deserve this! If she has a
scar, I will hurt you.”
They carry her out.
Fine.
I never want to see them again.
く
I never want to see them again.
Dad took Brittany everywhere.
He said, “Buy Star some food! I yelled at her,
so she will be sad.”
Ten minutes later, dad got a call.
“Star is gone with a suicide letter! The stock
holders are withdrawing!”
