Chapter 2 The Garden Party
619 Words
It was a warm weekend afternoon, the sunlight gentle and bright.
My mother invited several friends over for coffee, and laughter drifted through the garden gazebo as they chatted leisurely together.
Then my mother waved me over. "Go keep Chloe company," she instructed calmly. "Protect your sister. Don't let anything happen to her. Understood?"
"I understand." I answered mechanically before walking toward Chloe and following closely behind her like a shadow.
Chloe soon wandered over to the pond and leaned over the railing, standing on tiptoe to peer into the water below.
"There are fish in there," she said excitedly. "I want to catch them."
I said nothing. I simply stayed behind her, carrying out the command to protect her.
Then suddenly, Chloe slipped. She let out a terrified scream as her body toppled forward into the pond.
The water was deep. She flailed desperately, crying and screaming through tears. "Mom! Help! Help me!"
My body reacted before I could even think. Without the slightest hesitation, I jumped into the water.
The icy pond swallowed me whole, yet I felt absolutely nothing. I grabbed Chloe's arm and shoved her toward shore with all the strength I had.
Hearing the screams, my mother and her friends rushed over just in time to see me pushing Chloe safely back onto land.
The moment we climbed out of the pond, praise immediately erupted around us.
"Celine, your older daughter is so brave! She jumped in without even thinking."
"You've raised her so well. She's incredibly responsible for her age."
My mother immediately put on a modest smile and waved her hand dismissively. "Oh, it's nothing," she said warmly. "The girls are sensible on their own. I haven't really done much."
Then she instructed Martha to take us upstairs for hot baths so we wouldn't catch cold.
But after the guests left that evening, my mother came straight to my room. The instant she stepped inside, she slapped me hard across the face.
The sharp c***k echoed through the room. My head snapped sideways from the force of it, but I felt no pain at all.
"Who told you to bring Chloe near the pond?" my mother demanded furiously. "Did you do it on purpose? Were you trying to get Chloe killed? If anything had happened to her, I never would've forgiven you!"
Her voice grew shriller and shriller as she shouted. She raised her hand to hit me again, but the moment her fingers brushed my cheek, she suddenly froze. Her brows knitted tightly.
"Why is your face so cold?" she muttered. "It feels like ice. Did you catch a chill?"
I didn't answer. I only turned my head slowly to look at her.
"Useless girl," she snapped in disgust. "You can't even take care of yourself, and you still talk about protecting Chloe."
Her eyes turned colder. "No dinner tonight. Stay here and reflect on what you did wrong."
"I understand, Mom."
Chloe had been hiding outside the door the entire time. Watching me get scolded seemed to delight her immensely. She tugged gently on my mother's sleeve and whispered sweetly, "Mom, don't be angry anymore. She didn't mean it. I'm not blaming her."
My mother's entire expression softened instantly. "My sweet Chloe." She lovingly ruffled Chloe's hair, her voice overflowing with affection. "You're the only one who truly understands me."
Then she took Chloe's hand and smiled gently. "Come on. Let's go make your favorite pastries."
The two of them walked away together without looking back once.
I remained standing there silently for a long time before finally turning to close the door. Then I returned to the corner of the room and waited quietly for my mother's next command.
- Writer
