I clung to the van door with everything I had, terrified of being taken somewhere I'd never come back from.
Thud.
Ethan threw away his pride. Face flushed red, he dropped to his knees before Mom.
"Mom, I'll give you all my allowance. Please don't send my sister away."
He pressed his forehead to the floor, kowtowing again and again. Before long, the skin on his forehead had broken open.
This time, Mom couldn't hold back her expression. She laughed.
To me, that laugh looked twisted beyond recognition.
"Ethan, it's good that you know you were wrong. But only a real lesson will make you remember it—so you never dare make that mistake again."
"Rita, take his sister away."
I couldn't hold on anymore. I was dragged into the car.
The moment we got in, Rita stuffed a rag into my mouth.
I tried to struggle, but she slapped me across the face, impatient.
"Your own mother doesn't want you. Move again and I'll throw you out of this car—let you live as a little beggar!"
I didn't want to be a dirty beggar. I didn't dare move.
"Lily! Lily!"
I looked back. Ethan was chasing the car like a madman, running so hard one of his shoes flew off, but he didn't stop.