06
To others and Chloe, it seemed I had lucked out with a once–in–a–century good stepdad.
He always looked at me with righteousness, never overstepping as a stepdad, and worked hard to strictly educate me for my future.
But if they knew that I could never appear at home with exposed wrists and ankles, what would they think?
Even more terrifying was that mom was lovesick.
Stepdad’s voice caught mom’s attention.
She came out of the room, and the first thing she saw was the underwear on me.
Stepdad pointed at me, as if he had found backup: “Emma is not a little girl anymore, how can she still be so careless? Hanging such private clothing openly on the balcony, what will others think of me? I’m a professor!”
I was bewildered as I processed stepdad’s words, momentarily speechless.
And I thought mom would help me.
She definitely wouldn’t blame me.
Unexpectedly, after hearing stepdad’s words, mom also turned her resentful gaze towards me.
Then, she launched her first humiliation against me.
“Emma, put away your dirty things!”
“Is this how I taught you? If I see you displaying these things again, don’t blame me for getting physical!”
I stammered, wanting to speak, but didn’t know how to defend myself.
I was just a 13–year–old girl!
What kind of things are these things? Now that I have a stepdad, do I not even have the right to wear underwear? Am I that indecent?
4:24 PM
<
That night, I tossed and turned, unable to sleep.
I even started to be brainwashed, wondering if I had really crossed a line?
So from then on, I avoided public areas when drying my clothes.
I thought, this way stepdad and mom wouldn’t be uncomfortable, right?
But it wasn’t like that.
Similar things kept happening over the next ten years.
When I had my period and went to the bathroom frequently, stepdad saw the tissues I threw in the trash can and made a fuss, calling my mom
to look.
He accused me: “Who told you to put these things here? What will I think when I see them? Emma, you really have no manners!”
Mom chimed in: “You’re a girl! Girls should know how to respect themselves. Your uncle is a professor, isn’t it disgusting for him to see these things?!”
I talked back at the time: “Mom, you’re a woman too, and so is uncle’s mother. Tell me, what does this have to do with self–respect?”
The next second, a loud slap landed on my face.
This slap was actually from stepdad.
I covered my face, tears gushing out.
Mom just watched, unmoved.
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Stepdad said: “What right do you have to mention my mom? You’re just a girl who hasn’t even grown up yet. From now on, whatever I say, you
listen!”
I was very scared at the time.
I was afraid that if I didn’t obey, mom wouldn’t love me anymore, wouldn’t want me anymore.
So year after year.
I was successfully educated into a “self–respecting, pure and innocent” well–mannered young lady.
At home, I could only wear conservative long clothes and pants all year round, catering to stepdad’s so–called “gentleman” image.
Chloe was so envious of me.
But how could I not envy Chloe?
I looked up and met Aunt Holly’s concerned gaze.
“Emma, why are you crying? Is Auntie’s gift not good?”
I just shook my head.
I held the beautifully packaged box tightly in my arms.
I secretly vowed.
In this life, I want to live freely and passionately, with love.
I have a stepmom, and she’s the best stepmom in the world.
07
D
4.25 PM
<
With my approval, dad quickly married Aunt Holly.
On their wedding day, I was dressed up like a little princess by Aunt Holly.
“Our Emma looks like a doll, she should be dressed up beautifully.”
I even got my nails done and had my hair curled.
Looking at myself in the mirror, I felt unprecedentedly happy.
However, Chloe’s family also came.
In the hall.
Mom was arm in arm with Uncle Daniel, who is now also my stepdad.
Chloe stood obediently behind them.
Soon, she noticed me and walked over with her arms crossed.
After seeing me clearly, she suddenly burst out laughing.
She said mockingly: “Emma, why are you dressed like this? People might think you’re the bride.”
“You’re still in school! How dare you get your nails done and curl your hair, mom will scold you to death if she knows!”
I gave her a cold glance.
I said, “What about you? Wearing a school uniform to a wedding, did you run out of clothes?”
Chloe frowned: “You…”
But then, she resumed her smug expression: “I’m a good student, a good girl. I guess your outfit was your stepmom’s idea, right? Like mother, like daughter, if you don’t marry a punk, who will?”
Chioe was quite good at self–deprecation.
You should know, in my previous life, Chloe started dating a punk in high schook
That’s not the worst part, what’s more ridiculous is that she was later dumped by the punk because he said he liked innocent girls.
And Chloe with her heavy makeup was too vulgar!
Chloe blamed it all on Aunt Holly, saying it was Aunt Holly who corrupted her and made her miss out on true love.
Thinking of this, I couldn’t help but laugh,
Chloe: “What are you laughing at?”
Me: “My sister is a good student, a good girl, of course I have to laugh”
Chloe rolled her eyes and went to find stepdad again.
Actually, I was laughing because Chloe’s walking posture was obviously very awkward.
If I’m not mistaken, her bedroom doesn’t face the sun, and the underwear she washed couldn’t dry overnight.
She’s wearing wet ones.
But the real show is yet to come.
In my previous life, it was also at dad and Aunt Holly’s wedding.
Just because I felt uncomfortable and kept adjusting my clothes
4:25 PM
<
Just because I felt uncomfortable and kept adjusting my clothes,
Mom’s face turned green, dragging me to the bathroom and locking me in a stall.
08
The wedding music started playing softly.
Dad and Aunt Holly began their vows under the host’s direction.
Below the stage, mom and stepdad were sitting at the next table.
Stepdad showed a disdainful expression and said: “Look at what Holly is wearing? Such a low neckline, it’s really indecent.”
I just sneered.
