Chapter 2

"It wasn't me."

Chloe's voice dissolved into a perfect, trembling sob, her eyes seeking refuge in Caleb's.

Caleb understood immediately. He moved to shield her, his voice hardening into a blade of conviction.

"Mom, Dad, listen to me. Aria's just playing the victim to frame Chloe!"

"You know Chloe. She could never do something so cruel. Never."

I wrapped myself in the clothes the butler, Mr. Davies, handed me, hiding the scars that covered my body.

Even though I couldn't stop trembling, I tried to smile at them.

"Mom, Dad, Caleb's right. My injuries really have nothing to do with Chloe."

"I did all of this to myself to play the victim and frame her."

During those years with the traffickers, I'd learned to be compliant to avoid another beating, to suffer a little less.

Accepting charges I didn't commit was always better than resisting and earning a fiercer beating.

But to my surprise, as soon as the words left my mouth, my parents' faces darkened.

Smash.

Dad slammed the glass he was holding onto the floor.

His hand trembled as he pointed accusingly from Chloe to Caleb. "Look! See what you did? Aria’s not making any sense!"

Chloe and Caleb stared, their faces paling.

Just then, a girl in an evening dress caught Chloe's look and stepped out.

"Who hurt her earlier is one thing," she declared, then thrust an accusing finger toward me. "But she just kicked Chloe down the stairs! In front of everyone."

Caleb jumped on it instantly. Her left foot! I saw it too!" he shouted, backing her up.

All eyes were on me again.

I peeked out from behind Mom, my face etched with confusion and helplessness.

Under everyone's gaze, I timidly bent down and slowly pulled up my left pant leg.

It was empty.

I looked up, my eyes fearful.

"Mom, Dad, even though... even though my left prosthetic leg is being serviced today..."

"But since Caleb and Tiffany saw me kick Chloe down the stairs, then... then it must have been me."

As I spoke, I tugged at Chloe's dress, trying to appease her. "I'm sorry, Chloe, it was my fault. I'll apologize to you right now."

With that, I used my one remaining prosthetic limb to support myself, hopped to the second floor, and without a second thought, leapt over the railing.

Silence descended for a moment.

Then, a piercing scream erupted from the crowd.

"Aria!!"

Mom and Dad frantically caught me.

Mr. Davies stumbled and crawled to find a doctor.

Caleb and Chloe stood frozen, dumbfounded.

The other guests' expressions were like they'd collectively seen a ghost.

"Doctor! Get a doctor, now!!!"

Excruciating pain shot through my limbs.

Amidst the shouts, the light in front of me faded, and I slowly closed my eyes.