Chapter 2

“Mom… let me explain…” My voice barely rose above a whisper.

Her expression was thunderous, dark and vicious.

“Well, look at you,” she hissed through clenched teeth, each word dripping with disgust. “Parading around in the middle of the night like a cheap streetwalker! I can’t believe I gave birth to such a shameless little whore!”

Those words hit me like a slap across the face, freezing my cheeks and tearing my heart in two.

She lunged forward to rip the headband from my hair. Usually, I took whatever she dished out. But this time, I instinctively took a step back, dodging her claw-like hand.

Josie gave this to me. It was mine.

“Mom, I’m sorry!” I pleaded, tears spilling over. “I won’t wear it again. I’ll just use it as a bookmark in my notebook, okay? Please!”

“Give it to me!” She lunged again, grabbing my shoulder and twisting it hard.

“That’s enough!” Dad’s irritated voice cut through the hallway. “Stop screaming. You’re going to wake up Leo!”

Leo was my eight-year-old brother. The golden prince of the household.

Mom immediately deflated, dropping her voice to an obedient purr. “Chloe is out of control, Richard. I’m just trying to discipline her as a mother.”

My brother’s name meant 'lion'—strong, favored, born to rule. My name, Chloe, was just a placeholder—an accident, a chore, the spare tire nobody wanted.

I lowered my head, slipping the headband off and clutching it tightly in my fist.

Thank God, I thought. Dad had spoken. Mom wouldn't try to take it now.

I let out a shaky breath of relief.

Then, Dad ruined everything.

Glancing at me indifferently, he murmured, “I never paid attention before, but Chloe’s hair actually looks pretty like that. Fits her.”

Mom’s eyes snapped to my head. Her glare was murderous.

That night, she broke into my room with a pair of shears.