When I was eight, my father changed drastically, often arguing with my mother. The current hostess of the Stanley family wasn't my biological mother. She was my father's mistress.
After my father brought her back, my mother became strange, treating me coldly.
She often cursed me and tried to abandon me in the mountains several times.
Marlene, on the other hand, was extremely kind to me, giving me whatever I wanted.
On one rainy night, I saw my mother hanging in the corridor, dressed in red. It was horrifying.
Matthew claimed she had an affair with the stableman and hanged herself out of shame.
I was scared stiff, and it was Marlene who comforted me all night, promising never to abandon me.
Later, Matthew married her, making her the new lady of the residence, and she treated me very well.
When I was twelve, I played by the water with her daughter, Debora Stanley. She slipped and fell in. I tried to save her but ended up nearly drowning.
When I woke up, I was accused of killing my mother and sister. Debora's body had a faint butterfly birthmark on her collarbone.
Marlene cried, accusing me of pushing Debora into the river.
Matthew was furious, sending me to a girls' academy for three years. When I returned, I was obedient, excelling in all skills.
I was no longer capricious.
Matthew was proud and praised the academy.
Marlene treated me exceptionally well, gaining praise as the best stepmother in the capital.
But then, it was revealed I wasn't the true daughter of the Stanley family, just a swapped child.
The midwife wanted her daughter to live a noble life, and that was me, who actually came from lowly origins.
...
When they took me away, Silas took off his coat and draped it over me. He walked quickly, his face cold, and didn't speak to anyone.
That's just how he was—tight-lipped and reserved.
People on the street pointed at me.
"See? They have raised a thankless wretch. Heartless, she killed them all just because Matthew brought his real daughter back today."
"Yeah, I saw Marlene taking her to buy sweets and the latest clothes this morning. She doted on Cecilia."
"Alas, Matthew was such a kind-hearted man."
I walked down the long street. The townspeople threw rotten vegetables and eggs at me. They called me a murderer, demanding my immediate execution.
I never defended myself, not even once.