3:43 P
Chapter 2
But instead, he tore off an entire piece of shedding skin from my back that had yet to fully peel away.
Pain shot through me and I instinctively rubbed my back against the ground before retreating deeper under the table.
Victor’s pupils contracted sharply, as if struck by lightning.
Without a care for his dignity, he dropped to the ground, meeting my gaze at eye level. When he spoke, his voice was hoarse, as though something was choking him. “Eve, what’s wrong? Why is your skin peeling off like this? Are you feeling unwell?”
Before I could respond, Clara immediately choked up and cut in, her voice trembling. “The island has sunshine all year round and Eve’s skin is so delicate. It must have peeled from sunburn. This is all my fault. Victor, if it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t have been angry enough to send my sister to the island in the first place.”
“Clara, this isn’t your fault.” My mother held Clara in her arms, her voice full of affection. “Even though Eve is my biological daughter, I can’t defend her against my conscience. She’s already in her twenties, does she not know how to avoid the sun if it’s too hot? I think she knew we were coming to pick her up and deliberately stood under the sun to put on this act of suffering.“&
The moment my mother finished speaking, Victor’s expression darkened instantly.”
Without hesitation and ignoring my struggles, he grabbed my ankle and forcibly dragged me out from under the table.” My freshly shed back scraped against the ground, sending unbearable pain searing through me. Blood gushed from the raw wounds, staining the floor.
Yet Victor remained indifferent, merely casting a cold glance at me as he reprimanded, “Eve, is this your pitiful act? So not only are you vicious toward others, but you’re also ruthless to yourself.“”
“Compared to the cruel things you’ve done to Clara over the years, forcing a young girl to stand naked at our wedding, sending you to an island to enjoy nature for six months was barely even a punishment!“}
I ignored Victor. My body, weakened from excessive blood loss, screamed for sustenance. I had to eat and fast. Just then, a large rat darted out from the yacht’s kitchen, sending the guests into a frenzy. People clung to one another, shrieking and jumping away in terror.”
But my eyes lit up. Without hesitation, I lunged at it.”
Under the stunned gazes of Victor and my parents, I bit down on the rat and swallowed it whole with satisfaction.”
“Ah!” My mother let out a shrill scream of agony. “Is this still my daughter? How could living in isolation on Snake Island for just six months strip her of even the most basic humanity?“}
Victor staggered, almost losing his balance. “Eve, I know you’re terrified of snakes. But Snake Island is a beautiful place, full of harmless, non–venomous snakes. No matter how angry you are at me, you shouldn’t have done something so disgusting and self–destructive to yourself!”
Just as his words fell, Clara suddenly dropped to her knees, sobbing as she frantically slapped herself.
“If it weren’t for me, my sister wouldn’t have ended up like this. Take her back home. I’ll stay on Snake Island for the rest of my life to atone for my sins and make it up to her!”
My mother’s cries abruptly stopped. She turned to me, her face twisting in fury and pointed a trembling finger at me as she screamed, “Eve, how can you be so vile? Just to drive Clara away, you’ve reduced yourself to a beast! Do you have no dignity left as a human being?“”
Victor’s dark eyes locked onto me, his gaze unwavering.”
Suddenly, he let out a low chuckle, sending a chill down my spine. “Eve, don’t you love pretending to be a snake? Then let me bring you some company to play with properly.“”
With a flick of his fingers, someone immediately stepped forward and threw a bag full of writhing snakes at my feet.
“Eve, I know better than anyone how terrified you are of snakes. Even just seeing a rope shaped like one used to paralyze you with fear.”
He stared at me coldly, a calculated glint in his eyes. “Right now, you will apologize to Clara and publicly promise never to trouble her again. Otherwise, I’ll open this bag and let you have a real taste of dancing with snakes.“”
