My Birthday, My Downfall novel Chapter 4

Mom also sighed, "Emma, why are you still so inconsiderate."

Lily began to cry right on cue.

"Mom, Dad, why does sister seem even worse-tempered than before? My head hurts so much..."

Jake grabbed my hand, making as if to drag me outside.

"Emma Stone, since you show no remorse, back to rehab you go!"

"No! I won't go back! I'll be very good! Please! Don't take me back there..."

I broke free from his grip, frantically looking for a place to hide.

Jake reached out to pull me back but only caught my dress.

With a ripping sound, the dress tore.

Revealing a back covered in horrific scars, crisscrossed and hideous.

Everyone froze.

I panicked immediately, falling to my knees and repeatedly banging my head on the floor.

"I was wrong... I won't run away..."

"The master can do whatever you want to me. Don't hit me. I will undress herself..."

Jake finally realized I wasn't pretending.

He gripped my hands tightly, though somewhat awkwardly, as if not knowing how to comfort me.

"Don't be afraid... little sister. No one is going to hit you."

Mom came over crying to examine the scars on my back, saying in disbelief:

"How could this happen? How could my daughter's back have so many scars?"

Dad turned to Dr. Wang: "Quick! See what's wrong with the scars on her back!"

Dr. Smith hurried forward, but the moment his hand touched my back, I flinched.

"Don't touch me!"

"Mom! Help me, help me!"

I threw myself into Mom's arms, sobbing loudly.

The whole family showed expressions of heartache.

From the side, Lily raised a quiet question.

"Sister, why is it that everywhere else on you is fine, but only your back has injuries?"

Mom, Dad, and Jake heard Lily's words and grew suspicious again.

My heart skipped a beat as I finally remembered—they had covered up all my injuries.

The special effects makeup artist said the makeup wouldn't wash off with water, only with a specific acidic shower gel.

So what was going on with the scars on my back?

Before I could think further, Jake reached out and wiped my back.

The crisscrossed scars on my back instantly became crooked and smeared.

"Just as I thought—they're painted on. They're fake!"