Chapter 1

The kidnappers called my billionaire parents, demanding a million dollars to save my life.

My parents simply said they had no money and hung up.

At the exact same time, breaking headlines were plastering the news: the billionaire couple had just spent tens of millions at an auction on a diamond necklace for their eldest daughter.

Because of that phone call, the kidnappers beat me mercilessly for three days and three nights.

When the police finally kicked down the door and carried me out, blood was oozing from almost every pore of my body.

The very first thing my parents said when they saw me was:

"Thank God it wasn't your sister."

Right after the words left their mouths, they looked at me with guilt and unease, bracing themselves for the screaming and crying I used to unleash.

What they didn't know was this:

I had developed emotional detachment disorder.

I couldn't cry anymore, and I couldn't throw a fit.

And I would never, ever feel hurt by their favoritism again.

When I was finally discharged from the hospital and went back home, the house was completely empty.

Even the furniture was gone.

I couldn't get a hold of any of my family members. It wasn't until I called our former housekeeper that I found out they had bought a new mansion and moved.

I took an Uber to the new address. When I walked through the door, the family was already seated around the dining table, getting ready to eat.

Seeing me walk in, everyone at the table stiffened with awkwardness.

"You guys moved and didn't even tell me."

"Your sister kept having nightmares in the old house, so we bought a new place," Mom said casually, as if she were just discussing the weather. "Ever since we moved, she hasn't had a single nightmare. You came back just in time, sweetie. Sit down and join us."

The table was filled with dishes my sister loved.

My face was covered in thick gauze, and I was limping heavily. Nobody cared. Nobody even asked.

In the past, my heart would have shattered into pieces.

Now, I felt nothing.

My emotions were completely gone.

Seeing how quietly I sat down, my sister, Chloe, suddenly leaned over.

"Seven, I was so terrified these past few days that I didn't even dare step out the front door. That's why I couldn't visit you at the hospital. Mom and Dad were scared I might get kidnapped too, so they stayed home to protect me. You don't blame me, do you?"

Before I could even open my mouth, Dad cut in defensively. "What's the big deal anyway? You're sisters. You need to be understanding of each other."

I didn't know how I was supposed to react.

I was the one who got kidnapped.

Chloe gave a bright, innocent laugh. "Hehe, I just didn't want Seven to overthink things!" With that, she picked up a shrimp with her fork and dropped it into my bowl.

"Seven has always been so independent, though. Much braver than me. I've always envied people who have so much courage."

I quietly set down my fork.

I was deathly allergic to shrimp.

Not a single person at that table remembered.