Chapter 4

My eyes widened in shock as I stared at Rebecca.

She raised an eyebrow, looking as if she'd suddenly had an epiphany.

"You really don't know? Oh, Charlotte, you're so naïve. Did you ever ask Jonathan why he brought you home in the first place? Aren't you even a little curious?"

Of course, I'd asked. At Jonathan's 18th birthday party, I had a few drinks. Feeling a little bold, I had raised the question. He'd hesitated for a few seconds, then gently touched the corner of my eye.

"I was drawn to the emptiness in your eyes when we first met. You were like a withered flower, and I wanted to bring you back to life, to see how you'd bloom.

"And now you have bloomed—bright and beautiful, just like the rose you held back then. That was why I brought you home, Cherry. That's all there is to it."

Was that really all?

I carefully observed Rebecca's face, particularly her eyes. They did look like mine.

So, that was it. I owed my survival to Rebecca, it seemed. All the affection I'd received