Chapter 3

Shanghai, 2021.

The students rushed out after the school bell rang which signaled the class has ended. On the roof top of school building, a girl fell after being bullied by her friends. Her hair was messy and her books were scattered, some have been torn. She clenched her fists and her body trembled.

A girl with short hair crouched in front of her. She and her friends laughed seeing Lexi Myles almost crying.

"You're such an idiot! Didn't I tell you yesterday to do my homework?!" she stepped forward and lifted Lexi's chin with his index finger.

"I didn't have time. You knew mom told me to clean the warehouse alone!"

"Do you want to receive another punishment? I will tell mom that you got me scolded by the teacher," said Janice Wu. She is the adoptive sister of Lexi Myles who has the same age as her.

Lexi was adopted by the Wu family when she was ten years old. Her parents were British couple and died in a car accident. At that time, they lived in Shanghai and her father worked as a lecturer. Her parents got eloped and migrated because their family disagree with their relationship. After the accident, his father's best friend, Yichen Wu, brought her to his home.

Since then her life has changed. Yichen Wu's wife hated her because they already have children, but Yichen always spoiled her. The girl who bullied her is their daughter and she envy her father's affection for Lexi.

"I apologize. Please don't tell mom," Lexi begged.

Janice grinned, a bad idea popping into her mind. "Next week is the graduation exam. You have to help me get good grades!"

"Okay, I'll teach you."

"You really are stupid! I mean, you have to write my name on the answer sheet and make sure I get good grades!" she shouted as she stepped on Lexi's bag.

Swap answer sheets? That's a dangerous cheat! Lexi tried to think hard. She could imagine her mother's punishments if Janice complained. If she just doesn't get foods, she can still bear with it. However, if she lock her up in the warehouse and beat her, no one would come to help. Especially after her mother told her to install a silencer on the warehouse wall yesterday. Yichen always came home late at night these days. No more hope.

"Alright. I will do," Lexi replied.

"Good! I will write your name on my answer sheet and I'll just do what I can." said Janis as she turned around and walked away with her friends.

Lexi walked home in the rain after spending time in the school library. She always like the rain, because that's the moment when she doesn't feel lonely hearing the raindrops hitting the ground. Nature comforts her when the sky shatters and the water drops as if they were armies wiping out drought to quench the thirst of the earth.

After she arrived at home, Janice and her mother, Cecilia Wu, had welcomed her with chores. Cecilia scolded her for coming home late, but immediately threw dirty clothes to her face.

Not only them who treat her like Cinderella, even her adopted brother, Chris Wu, who has grown up and study in college is also cruel to her. Ever since Lexi became teenager, he had repeatedly tried to molest her. Luckily, with her mother who always fussy and often calls her, she always able to escape.

Lexi obeyed all of her mother's orders. Even though she feels extremely exhausted, she is always grateful that she can still live and go to school. That night, as usual Lexi waited for her adoptive father to come home when the others were asleep

When Yichen came home, he saw Lexi sleeping on the sofa with a history book in her hands. He could see her face was tired and he covered Lexi with a blanket as he took the book and closed it.

Lexi felt the touch of the warm blanket then she woke up. She saw her father sat beside her.

"Sorry, I woke you up." Yichen stroked Lexi's head.

"No, Dad. I'm sorry for falling asleep. Would you like some tea?" Lexi has always treated her father well. Even though she is only his adopted daughter, Yichen loves her like a biological daughter.

"Don't bother. You fell asleep while studying. Go to your room and rest," he smiled and stood up. Lexi noded and walked to her room.

In her room, Lexi threw herself on the bed. She still annoyed that she had to study hard just to make Janice pass the exam with good grades. However, after all she did not dare to refuse her step sister.

She still annoyed that she had to study hard just to make Janice pass the exam with good grades. She was daydreaming and imagined the bright smile on her father's face as she shows off her outstanding test scores. But then, she imagined Janice sitting across her father and doing that.

Her thoughts were shattered when she heard her bedroom door creaked, revealing a familiar figure. Chris staggered and stepped inside, dropping his half-drenched jacket. He walked over to Lexi's bed. Then he dropped his body on top of Lexi's body. The strong smell of alcohol wafted from his face.

Lexi pushed Chris away. "Let go of me! You're drunk!" but his body was too heavy and he hugged Lexi forcefully.

"Little bitch, you have grown up. I love your scent. Ha ha ha!" Chris caressed Lexi's face and neck. His hands tugged at Lexi's collar, revealing the smooth skin of her shoulders.

"Let go of me or I'll scream!" Her attempts to push Chris were futile and made him even more greedily bite her shoulder until it turned red. Lexi's hand tried to reach for an object on the bedside table. She grabbed a nightlight and pulled it then she hit Chris on the head.

Chris didn't move, his head slumped against Lexi's chest. She pushed Chris away and got out of bed. She walked out of her room and rushed into the kitchen, took a glass of water and drank it in a hurry. Her heart was beating fast. It could have gotten worse if she couldn't get away.

"You're still awake?" Yichen suddenly stood at the end of the kitchen. He approached Lexi and stroked her head.

Reflexively, Lexi hugged her father. Her body was still shaking and her tongue was numb. She didn't dare to say what Chris had done to her.

"I... I had a nightmare."

"Alright. Go back to your room, it's already late. Tomorrow you have to go to school," said her father with a gently smile.

"I... can I sleep in dad's study room? I want to read a book first." with her pleading look, that made Yichen agreed to her request.

Yichen returned to his bedroom after Lexi went to his study room. She turned on the lamp and covered herself with a blanket. She rubbed her hands on her shoulders and neck, felt disgusted remembering what Chris had done.

She burst in tears and wondered in her heart, why her adoptive family so immoral and cruel? What sin has she done? After crying for a long time, she could no longer hold back and fell asleep on her father's desk.

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