It had been less than a year since my parents took me in, but already, my adopted sister, Eliana, had tried to cut her wrists seven times.

The notes she left, written in streaks of blood, chilled me to the bone, each one echoing the same frantic plea. “Please let me go, sister!”

When Eliana Laurier was safe again, our family’s tolerance reached its limit.

They took me to court, certain in their belief that my actions had driven her to despair, accusing me of bullying her to the brink.

My eighteenth birthday was meant to be a day of celebration, yet there I was, under the merciless gaze of a public trial.

But they all missed the real story, that I had been the one tormented from the start.

——

I had barely left the recycling station when my phone chimed, and Mason Laurier’s voice came through the line.

“Saige, I need you home right now!” Mason’s tone was sharp, pressing me to hurry.

His tone was as cold as stone, lacking the warmth a father’s voice should hold. But I'd grown numb to it long ago.

By the time I got home after three bus transfers, I could barely step through the villa gate before a fierce slap struck my face.

The blow sent my head spinning, and a burning pain bloomed across my cheek.

"Saige, just look at this mess you’ve caused!"

My brother Wade’s sharp glare bore into me, and beside him, our mother, Tabitha Laurier, looked worn, tear stains tracing her cheeks.

While the details were unclear, I could easily guess this had something to do with Eliana stirring things up again.

Mason moved toward me, fury blazing in his eyes, and I felt his emotions engulf me.

“Saige, why?” Mason’s voice was tight with frustration.

“Why do you keep bullying Eliana over and over?”

“Is it just because she doesn’t share our family’s bloodline?”

“You’ve been home less than a year, and she’s tried to hurt herself seven times because of you!”

“Today was the worst yet; the doctor said if she’d been any later to the hospital, she might not have made it.”

“What do you want from her, Saige? When will you let her be? Do you really want to drive her to her death?”

Clutching my burning cheek, I tried to explain that I hadn’t bullied Eliana. I begged them not to fall for her story, saying it was just another part of her act.

The moment I dared to speak, my father's rage sparked, and in an instant, his foot struck my stomach with brutal force.

"Eliana is still lying in that hospital bed, and you dare claim she’s faking?"

"Who would risk their own life for a joke?"

"Saige, lying is the only thing you're good at!"

"You’re like a dog that can’t shed its habits, a wild thing with no sense of class!" "Bringing you back from that remote village was the worst mistake I ever made!"

I gasped as pain ripped through me, falling heavily onto the floor, sending the nearby vase crashing to the ground in a thousand pieces.

Tabitha, cold and unyielding, broke her silence at last, her voice as steely as her gaze. “Saige, if you’re determined not to change, jail is where you’ll end up.”

A tremor ran through me as I met her unflinching eyes. Could a mother truly be this heartless?

“You…you would actually press charges against me?” I asked.

Wade scoffed, shaking his head. “You’ve pushed us this far, Saige! We overlooked your past stunts and gave you chances to turn things around. But instead of changing, you kept pushing boundaries.”

“For Eliana’s sake, we have to take action now.”

“As her family, standing by and watching her suffer is not an option!”

I clenched my lips together, a slight tremble betraying the bitterness I felt. People say even a tiger would never harm its own cub, yet here I was, sharing their blood, while Eliana, an outsider, was cherished as if she were the true daughter. In my family’s eyes, she was worth more than I’d ever be.

They had sooner thrown me behind bars than watch Eliana endure any more so-called bullying. The three of them were livid, deaf to my explanations, their trust firmly rooted in Eliana’s words over mine.

Mason’s face was a stone mask as he announced, “Saige, from this moment on, you are no daughter of mine.”

His voice was cold as he continued, “You’re no longer part of this family. Don’t expect to spend another cent of ours. Leave, and brace yourself for the court summons.”

I was cast out of the villa and left to roam the empty streets.

The sky hung heavy with clouds, and a light drizzle fell, mirroring the day I lost my way all those years ago.

I huddled against the chill, the cold settling deep in my bones, but it was nothing compared to the ice gripping my heart.

Going back to that remote, stagnant village wasn’t an option. To survive, I found myself taking a job at a small restaurant.

The owner’s kindness shone through as he agreed to pay me four hundred dollars a month, along with meals and a roof over my head. It was a much-needed flicker of warmth in the cold shadow of my extended neglect.

Mason held fast to his word, and within days, I received the court summons.

The trial was fated to unfold on my eighteenth birthday, a bitter twist of fate.

The Laurier family, with their vast wealth and influence, hired the most prestigious lawyer in the province, determined to see me end up behind bars.

While I was struggling financially and could not afford a lawyer, the court, showing some compassion, arranged for one to be assigned to me. Garrett Payne was his name, a young man with striking allure.

With a warm smile, he came to me, eager to listen and gather the details and fully grasp my situation.

Despite his warm demeanor, I sensed he was merely going through the motions. Winning this lawsuit seemed as likely as catching smoke with my bare hands.

Thus, I opted for silence from the very beginning, responding only with subtle nods or shakes of my head.

As Garrett asked a series of vague questions, his patience began to wane. “Miss Laurier, if you keep this up, I’ll find it difficult to help you.”

I answered with a serene composure, “You can’t help me; no one in this world can. Nonetheless, I appreciate your efforts, Lawyer Payne.”

Upon hearing this, Garrett’s demeanor shifted, warmth creeping into his expression. “Miss Laurier, let’s try a different approach. You can see me as a friend, and perhaps that will encourage you to share more.”

As I was prepared to open my heart under his gentle encouragement, Garrett’s phone vibrated on the table. My gaze was drawn to a familiar profile picture paired with a sweet message: [Darling, can you take Eliana shopping after work?]

In an instant, I felt as though I had fallen into a frozen pit, shivers racing through me. The selfie was unmistakable; the person in the photo was Eliana. It struck me like a bolt from the blue; they were together.

With the weight of the world pressing down on me, I inhaled deeply and firmly instructed Garrett to leave. Confusion flickered in his eyes, but my resolute demeanor eventually wore him down.

As I guided him to the door, I absentmindedly swept my bangs aside. This small gesture felt instinctive, yet it elicited a brief spark of intrigue on Garrett's face.

After a moment's hesitation, he rolled up his sleeve, revealing his wrist, and asked cautiously, “Miss Laurier, have you seen this beaded bracelet?”

My gaze fell upon it; it was merely an ordinary plastic bracelet, showing signs of wear from countless days.

Garrett’s odd question left me scratching my head in confusion. A wave of déjà vu washed over me concerning the bracelet, yet despite my best efforts to remember, its source eluded me.

After a thoughtful pause, I shook my head, frustration knitting my brows as I admitted I had no memory of it at all.

Garrett’s face fell in disappointment, and he sighed deeply. With a lingering glance, he took his leave.

On the day of the trial, a crowd gathered, each person drawn to the unfolding drama. I stood in the defendant’s seat, enduring the relentless scrutiny like a thorn in my side.

Eliana, clad in a hospital gown, appeared frail and worn, her face a canvas of exhaustion. She reminded me of Maeve, her fragile beauty eliciting sympathy at first sight, as if she were a wilted flower begging for sunlight.

As she entered the courtroom in a wheelchair, Wade pushed her gently, treating her like a fragile masterpiece in need of protection. Mason and Tabitha took their seats in the plaintiff’s area, throwing a brief look my way that sent chills down my spine. My feelings of despair turned to ash as I realized their eyes were devoid of love, staring at me as if I were the enemy.

The plaintiff's lawyer began to unveil the evidence against me, presenting it with a calculated precision.

“Everyone, please take a moment to view this video taken shortly after the defendant was found,” he called out, drawing the room's focus.

The screen illuminated our villa, a picture of joy with bright decorations and radiant smiles gracing every face.

As I stepped from the car, my tattered attire sharply contrasted with the warmth of the scene.

Eliana was quick to greet me, her voice ringing with sweetness as she called me sister.

A hint of shyness crept into my demeanor. She entwined her arm with mine, guiding me into the living room, while Wade followed behind, ready to capture every precious moment.

Suddenly, tragedy struck; Eliana stumbled and crashed into the corner of the wall, a gasp echoing through the room as blood poured from the wound on her head.

Shock anchored me to the floor, my mind struggling to process what had just unfolded. From the footage, it looked all too clear I was the one who seemed most guilty of pushing her.

As Eliana stood, bloodied, the crowd around her murmured, their eyes filled with curiosity and judgment.

Later that evening, we sat as a family at dinner.

With a fresh bandage on her forehead, she still wore that radiant smile, gently placing food on my plate, brushing off the day’s events like a distant memory.

One moment, I was sipping, and the next, I spit my drink all over her. Saying nothing, I set down the cup and bolted, leaving Eliana and the others staring after me, their faces darkening with confusion.

As the video ended, the lawyer presented even more damning evidence. Each family member took their turn, accusing me of cruelty and heartlessness.

Meanwhile, Eliana sat quietly to the side, dabbing at her tears, her fragile appearance stirring sympathy from the audience.

“On March 18, Saige allegedly hid a venomous snake beneath Eliana’s pillow, nearly resulting in a bite.”

“April 1: Eliana drank milk given to her by Saige and soon began vomiting uncontrollably. She was rushed to the hospital for an emergency stomach wash.”

“By May 6, Saige was caught attempting to take photos of Eliana while she was bathing, intending to post them online. Thankfully, her plan was discovered and stopped.”

“On June 23, Saige reportedly concealed a needle in Eliana’s shoes. Later tests revealed the needle was contaminated with HIV.”

Mason raised the medical reports and photos, his voice ringing out, “Everyone, look at this! My daughter was once lively and full of joy!”

She continued, “But ever since Saige returned home, she’s attempted to take her life seven times in under a year! The doctors diagnosed her with severe depression! These alone are proof of the suffering and torment she’s endured! Saige is nothing less than a demon in human form!”

Tears streaming down her face, Tabitha’s voice shook. “My biggest regret is bringing Saige back only to cause Eliana so much harm.”

“Eliana, forgive me,” she whispered, her voice cracking. “My poor, precious daughter. If you leave us, I have no desire to go on.”

My face paled as I clenched my fists so tightly that my nails cut into my skin, yet I barely noticed when the blood started to flow. My heart felt numb, a cold emptiness spreading through me.

Frustration and anger surged within me, finally breaking free.

“Dad, Mom, I’m your real daughter!” I cried, my voice trembling. “Eliana is the real monster here! You’re all blinded by her act!”

Eliana looked hurt, tears streaming down her cheeks. Wade, his heart heavy, shouted, “Saige, just be quiet! It’s you who’s been putting on a performance!”

With that, he unfolded the blood-soaked letter Eliana had written earlier, revealing the dark, stark words that leaped off the page like a haunting accusation.

“Everyone, take a look at this! This is the suicide note my sister wrote, using her blood after she cut her wrist!”

“Sister, please let me go!”

“Only someone who has endured such profound sorrow could resort to such a desperate act.”

“Could Eliana really go so far as to sacrifice her life for a performance?”

The audience was utterly captivated.

“I never expected the defendant to look so refined and gentle, yet beneath that facade lies a heart filled with malice!”

“As a big man, I’m shivering from what I’m hearing; her methods are incredibly cruel.”

“It’s no wonder Eliana felt pushed to the brink; I’m not sure I could withstand it either.”

“She even torments her sister, whom she professes to love—what a truly wicked woman!”

“Did you hear? Eliana is not her biological sister; she’s just the plaintiff’s adopted daughter.”

“She probably fears that the adopted daughter will lay claim to the family fortune, trying to drive her to ruin.”

“Some people are simply born with darkness in their hearts; they shouldn’t even exist in this world.”

“If the defendant were a man, I’d swear she was a malevolent creature straight out of a horror story.”

“I support the plaintiff in her quest for justice; she deserves the harshest punishment!”

“I’m with you all the way!”

Everyone turned against me, their glares seething with concealed anger, even the judge and jury.

In the midst of it all sat Garrett, my defense attorney, quietly fiddling with the bead chain on his wrist, his silence almost deafening.

The case was glaringly obvious: I had long tormented my adopted sister, Eliana, exploiting my status as the legitimate child of the Laurier family.

The judge’s expression darkened as he asked if I pleaded guilty.

I offered no denial or protest; I simply acknowledged my guilt.

The judge handed down a sentence of three years in prison, accompanied by a year of probation.

The courtroom erupted in cheers, and I caught a glimpse of my parents, their faces reflecting palpable relief.

Eliana’s eyes brimmed with tears while Wade held her close, his expression etched with pain as he offered quiet comfort.

Just as the judge was about to close the session, Garrett suddenly rose to his feet, proposing an appeal.

The room fell silent in shock, yet the proposal was both reasonable and lawful, leaving the court no choice but to accept it.

Though I had narrowly escaped disaster, a heaviness lingered in my heart, leaving no room for joy.

Garrett was Eliana’s boyfriend, and it was evident he had ulterior motives for his actions.

The trial quickly became a hot topic online, with public opinion overwhelmingly favoring the plaintiff, leaving me the target of relentless online attacks.

When I returned to the small restaurant, the landlady glared at me, her voice sharp. “Get out! I’m through with you!”

She hurled my belongings into the street.

“Saige, I took pity on you when you were homeless. I brought you in to work for me. I fed you and gave you a roof over your head. But to think you could be so cruel!”

She shook her head in disbelief and added, “You’ve bullied your own family, scheming to drive your sister to her end. I must have been blind to take you in. Here’s your wages for the past few days. Now, get as far away from here as you can!”

Tears welled in my eyes, and I didn’t dare to explain further.

No matter how miserable it was, I could only swallow it down.

This world had left no room for me.

As I quietly gathered my scattered clothes from the ground, people pointed and whispered amongst themselves.

“Isn’t that the girl who bullied her sister and faced her parents in court?”

“Yeah, it’s her; the story has already gone viral online.”

“She’s quite pretty, but who would’ve imagined her heart to be more poisonous than a snake’s?”

“Did you know? The most venomous hearts often belong to women.”

“She’s so young; she must just have turned eighteen. How could she commit such acts? Could she be wronged?”

“She can’t be wronged; anyone who has seen the trial video knows otherwise.”

“The things she did to her sister are truly unspeakable.”

“If her biological parents hadn’t been pushed to their limits, they wouldn’t have taken a stand against her.”

“It’s a nightmare; demons live among us.”

“Don’t worry, this demon will be brought to justice; she’ll end up in prison soon enough.”

“Exactly; that’s her rightful place. A life sentence would be best; she shouldn’t be allowed to harm anyone again.”