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"Luna,look at this place.You'd think it's a pigsty,"Dad said.
"Ugh,Dad,I can't stand a second here.These shoes are limited edition—how can I step in this filth?"Luna whined.
Dad was wearing a tailored black suit,with hair slicked back anda pricey watch on his wrist—a tipical tycoon in anyone’s imagination.
Luna was wearing a custom dress,she ws polished from toes to hair.
"Well,if it isn't my dear sister.A few months,and you're already a mess,"Luna said,scanning me with unmasked disdain.
"Stella,what's that rag you're wearing?So shabby!"
"Without me,you and your mom are nothing,"Dad added.
Their words dripped with superiority,as if I were a beggar.
I only gave them a faint smile,unbothered.They could think all they wanted—this simple,fulfilling life suited me.
Glancing at Luna,I noticed her nails.
Despite her ornate nail art,I saw signs that her nail beds were pricked by needles.
I'd endured the same.
A lifetime ago, with Dad,I learned he only saw me as a money-making tool.
He locked me in a dog cage in the basement,forcing me to read ten books every day,and every night I would be questioned by his staff about their contents.
If I failed to answer,he would whip me,prick my nail beds,salt my wounds,let insects gnaw them,and starve me in the cage.Even I fainted from hunger,he showed no care.
He controlled everything—my life was in his grip,it only took one grip from him to bring me my death.
I could eat only three bites of each dish,I mush curl my lips to a standard angle while smiling.
At 5'7",I had to keep my weight at 99 pounds,keep nails at 1.2 inches.
The greeting waves,walking stride,angle of arms swing,sleep breathing—they all had a standard I had to follow.
Any mistake brought me hellish torture,memories that choked me with dread.
Luna had faced this—I saw her trembling fingers,unable to grip her phone from the pain in her nails.
Her lavish clothes covered every inch of skin,thick foundation hiding red marks on her face.
Top socialite?A glossy facade masking a hellish life, that’s all.
Recalling this,I looked at her with pity.
"Dad,you came to talk to Grandma.Go inside.I'll catch up with my sister,"Luna said,dismissing him.
Once he left,she slapped me,I was stunned.
