I felt bitter inside. Don't they know better than anyone what happened to my leg?

Over the past three years, I refused to endure the torment from my aunt's family. I tried to escape time and again.

But every time, I was caught and brought back.

The villagers were their eyes and ears.

My last attempt to escape completely enraged my cousin.

He took out a belt and beat me until my skin was torn and bleeding. He shouted, "Don't you get it? The Phillips family has long abandoned you. Even if you manage to escape, they'll just send you back.

"It was their idea to cripple your leg, so you wouldn't run back and embarrass them."

A brick came crashing down, breaking my right leg.

If they didn't still need me to do hard labor, I would've lost the other leg too.

I didn't know why they were pretending to be clueless.

I really didn't want to go back to that nightmare of a place.

I cooperated and shook my head. "It's fine. It's just a minor injury."

Compared to staying alive, losing a leg is nothing.

That night, I had just finished bathing when there was a sudden knock on the door.

I tensed up immediately.

I was terrified that the door would burst open any second and a few leering men would barge in.

"Chloe, open the door."

Dylan's tone grew impatient.

I quickly grabbed a blanket and wrapped it tightly around myself.

I opened the door and immediately apologized, "I'm sorry. I was in the shower and didn't hear you. Please don't be mad. Don't make me leave."

Dylan's face darkened instantly.

"From now on, you're still the lady of the Phillips family. No one will kick you out again."

I thought I saw a flicker of pity in his eyes.

I must have been mistaken. How could he possibly pity me?

If he hadn't given his approval to my aunt and cousin, how else could I have endured three years of living hell?

Dylan handed me a paper bag.

"In two days, it's Dad's birthday banquet. Mind your manners."

Inside the bag, there was a brand-new evening dress, a pair of matching high heels, and a tube of ointment for injuries.

Seeing these items, a wave of bitterness surged in my heart.

He knew my leg was crippled, yet he still sent high heels and medicine. Was he trying to humiliate me?

Or did he think I wasn't miserable enough yet?

On the day of the birthday banquet, many guests arrived.

I hid in a corner, trying to make myself invisible.

But someone still recognized me.