Chapter 1

“Marcus, it really hurts. Can you please take it away?”

I looked at the cigarette butt pressed against my arm, beads of cold sweat forming on my forehead, but I didn’t dare move.

“It hurts already? This is nothing compared to what Mom went through. Paige Quinn, do you know how much it hurt me to hear her screaming in agony that day?”

Marcus Quinn pressed down harder, and I felt like the cigarette butt was going to pierce right through my arm. The smell of burning flesh filled the air.

Hearing his words, I bit my lip and kept silent, enduring the pain.

He was right. This pain was nothing compared to what Mom went through to bring me into this world. She lost her life on that operating table, while I was given mine.

And the one holding the scalpel during that surgery was my father. He watched his wife go from vibrant to lifeless, bit by bit.

My arm was covered in scars, crisscrossing like a terrifying map. Even in this sweltering heat, I didn’t dare wear short sleeves, afraid people would see me as not just a killer, but a monster.

When Dad came home and saw the scars on my arm, his expression didn’t change. He just patted Marcus on the shoulder like always.

“Not bad. You’re getting stronger.”

“Of course, Dad. I’ve been working out every day, and I swear I’ll crush anyone who messes with our family!”

After saying this, Marcus glanced at me coldly.

“And that includes anyone who hurt Mom.”

My face went pale. I was the only one who had ever hurt her.

Dad noticed my reaction. “Paige Quinn, what’s on your mind? Are you upset that Marcus burned you?”

I shook my head, my face drained of all color.

“That’s good. This is your fate. You took away the person Marcus loved most. He’s just avenging Mom.”

Dad pressed down on my arm, intensifying the pain.

I gasped, tears welling up as I whispered, “Dad...”

His expression turned cold and unyielding, like he was ready to devour me.

Marcus rushed forward and shoved me to the ground.

“This is my dad, not yours. Paige Quinn, you’re just the murderer who killed my mom. Stop pretending you belong in this family.”

My head hit the corner of the table, and everything started spinning. I felt completely powerless.

No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t reach the people I longed to hold on to.

Whether it was Mom, Dad, or Marcus, they all hated me.

......

Even my name, Paige Quinn, felt like I was destined to repay a debt with my life.

If I could choose, I would rather have never been born into this world. That way, no one else would have to suffer.

I went to my room, a small, dark space in the attic. It was pitch black, with no light except for a stub of a candle.

“Today, Marcus burned me with a cigarette. I don’t hate him, but I saw the disgust in his eyes, and it terrified me.”