He taught her how to hit me.

I didn't feel the first few slaps, not physically. I was too numb for that.

But the shame? That cut through me like nothing else. It was like I wasn't even in my own body, watching from the outside as my father showed my sister how to hurt me.

And Mom… Mom didn't even look at me. She just turned her head, like if she didn't see it, it wasn't happening.

Charlie stood off to the side, his eyes filled with disgust. I think that hurt the most, honestly. That look in his eyes made me feel like I wasn't even his sister anymore—just something beneath him.

Ginny? She's usually so timid, but that time, she kept hitting me over and over, and it wasn't just my face that stung. Every slap hit deeper like she wanted to break something inside me. My soul, maybe.

And I think she did. I had never been treated like that before.

I wailed. I struggled to get free. But they just stood there—my own family—watching me like I was some freak show! No one stepped in. No one stopped her!

When Ginny finally grew tired and backed off, my chest was on fire, and my entire body trembled while I was catching my breath.

Soon, all I heard was my unsettling breath. The world around me faded as they turned their backs and locked me away in that traumatizing attic.

The next day, after waiting all night, someone finally came to let me out.

It wasn't Mom or Dad—of course not. It was the maid, and when she saw me, she just… scoffed. Like I was something pathetic, not even worth her time.

At first, I didn't get it. I was still reeling from everything that happened.

But then Ginny threw a mirror in front of me. Of course, she wanted to see how I'd react. She said, "You look even more like a pig now."

I saw the bruises and the swollen mess on my face. I barely recognized myself.

I twisted my nose, and I winced. Ginny should pay for it!

I wanted her to feel even a fraction of the pain I'd felt. I thought I could charge at her, make her feel something.

But before I could even take a step, Charlie's boot slammed into my side, knocking me back to the floor.

"Charlie! She hit me last night!" I showed him my cheeks. "And now, didn't you hear her call me a pig?"

I was desperate for him to see that I was the victim. I wanted my brother to side with me just for once.

But he looked down at me. "Was she wrong, though?" he shot back casually.