It was at that moment that Sheena realized the malicious, provocative looks Jasmin had always given her were not just her imagination.
Unfortunately, before she could explain herself, her mother slapped her hard across the face.
Her ear struck the corner of the table, and a gush of blood poured out instantly.
Her father kept cursing at her, while her mother held Jasmin the whole time, not sparing her even a glance.
It was a servant who pitied her and took her to the hospital. However, they missed the optimal treatment window, and her right ear permanently lost its hearing.
Her father sent her away to the countryside.
Before she left, only Stephen held her hand. "Don’t worry, Sheena. In a few months, I’ll beg Mom and Dad to bring you back."
At first, Stephen called her every week. But later, the calls became monthly, then once every six months, and mostly it only revolved around Jasmin.
"Jasmin won first place in the painting competition today!"
"If only you were as talented as Jasmin."
"Jasmin said she’s already forgiven you, but I think you need to reflect a bit more."
And so, Sheena was abandoned in the countryside for ten years. It wasn’t until she turned twenty that she was finally brought back to the Brooks family.
She thought her parents still loved her after all.
For that insignificant sliver of familial affection, she humbled herself every day, trying her best to please her family, hoping to receive the same love in return.
But only now did she finally understand—no matter how hard she tried, people who didn’t love her never would.
Since that was the case, she didn’t want them anymore, either.
Seeing that Sheena remained silent, Stephen grew annoyed. "Sheena, are you mute?"
"All I asked was for you to take Jasmin’s punishment for her, not to die. What’s there to hesitate about?"
"What’s wrong? You’ve neglected your filial duties to Mom all these years, and now you won’t even listen to her?"
Just as Stephen was about to act, a servant burst through the door, and shouted, "Something’s wrong! Miss Jasmin is threatening to jump off the building!"
Amanda turned pale with fright and rushed out without hesitation.
Stephen retained some composure but looked grim as he snarled, "If anything happens to Jasmin, I won’t let you off!"
Grabbing Sheena’s wrist, he dragged her along to Jasmin’s room.