Her Dirty SecretChapter 1

Six years ago, my mother escaped my father's abuse through a bitter divorce.

Today, she's one of this city's most brilliant entrepreneurs, a guest on a prime-time true-crime talk show.

On air, the host prodded her to confront her past, urging her to look into the camera and ask me, "Annie, why did you lie for that monster all those years ago? Why did you commit perjury to help him?"

I was propped up in bed, the diagnosis in my hand—stage four bone cancer—crinkling in my grip. A dry, mocking laugh escaped my lips.

"Tessa," I whispered to her image on the screen, "you deserved every last hit."

I still remember my final words to her back then: "Don't you ever come back for us. If you do, my father and I—the two 'demons'—we'll make sure you don't leave alive."

On the show, my mother let out a cold laugh, telling the entire nation, "I knew it from the start. She's a bad seed, born rotten. Just like her beast of a father."

She'll never know. She'll never know that I traded my life for her ten years of peace.

...

The broadcast ended.

I stared at the static-filled screen for a long time before slowly getting out of bed. I walked to the cramped hallway and pulled out the small, smoky grill cart I used to sell food.

Mrs. Gable from next door stepped out, rushing to help me.

"Annie, dear, you're going out this late?"

I gently pushed her hands away. "It's alright, Mrs. Gable. You've done more than enough for me over the years."

She paused, her eyes welling up. "I saw the show, Annie. Are you really not going to tell your mother the truth? She's so wealthy now. If she knew..."

"Mrs. Gable!" I cut her off, my voice sharp. "She doesn't need to know."

"I can support myself with the cart. I'll pay back the money I owe you as soon as I can."

With that, I summoned every ounce of strength I had and pushed the heavy cart away.

My mother was a star that had fallen into the mud. She never belonged in this filthy world, and she didn't need to know its filthy secrets.

Besides, the doctor said I had a week, at most.

Soon, I'd take this secret with me to hell, right alongside that monster.

The night market was a chaotic symphony of sights and sounds. I found my usual spot and laid out the skewers on the grill, the acrid smoke stinging my eyes.

Suddenly, a sharp voice cut through the noise.

"There she is! Wreck it!"

I looked up.

Jasmine, my mother's adopted daughter and chosen heir, was striding toward me, flanked by bodyguards.

"You little trash," she sneered. "Still have the face to be out here peddling your filth?"

She kicked the grill over, sending hot coals scattering across the pavement.

"If you hadn't lied on the stand, my mother wouldn't have suffered so much! You're a monster, just like him. Why don't you just die already!"

Her palm cracked against my cheek.

For a moment, all sound vanished from my right ear.

The few customers at nearby stalls stared. Someone actually clapped. "So that's Annie Wei, the girl who defended her abusive dad! Serves her right!"

Jasmine grabbed a fistful of my hair and yanked me to the ground. My knee landed on the searing hot coals. A scream tore from my throat as I thrashed against the agony. But ever since the cancer took hold, my bones had become as fragile as glass; the slightest knock could cause a fracture. Against Jasmine's assault, I was helpless.

I could only lie there as she sat on me, raining down blow after blow.

The scene felt sickeningly familiar, a replay of six years ago. Jasmine had bullied me for three years in school, cornering me in bathrooms, beating me until I was bruised and bloody.

But I still preferred school.

Because the beatings at home, from my father, were always worse.

"Jasmine."

A familiar, cool voice drifted from above. The fists stopped.

Jasmine scrambled off me, turning to face my mother. Her expression instantly shifted to one of a wounded victim.

"Aunt Tessa, what are you doing here?"

My mother stood at the edge of the crowd. She wore a beige trench coat, her hair pinned back immaculately. Every gesture radiated the quiet confidence of a mature, successful woman.

She didn't even spare me a glance.

She took Jasmine's hand gently. "Does it hurt?"

Jasmine whined, "Yes. Her skin is so tough, my knuckles are all red."

My mother bent her head and blew softly on Jasmine's hand. "Let the bodyguards handle this sort of thing next time."

I watched the tender scene unfold, my arms trembling as I tried to subtly wipe the blood from my mouth with my sleeve.

Tessa had raised her daughter well. Charming and cute, with the perfect amount of a rich girl's entitlement.

"Aunt Tessa, her little stand doesn't even have a permit! I already called my uncle at code enforcement. They'll be here to haul it away any minute!"

A tremor of fear shot through me. This cart was my only source of income. After paying back Mrs. Gable, there was just enough left for painkillers.

My nails dug into my palms as I forced myself to meet my mother's gaze.

She looked at me, a long, deep look, and did nothing to stop it.

A few minutes later, city officials arrived and confiscated everything.

Jasmine was ecstatic. "Aunt Tessa, you're the best to me. Little vermin like her don't deserve a way to live!"

I fought against the searing pain in my bones, managing only a pained smile. The word "Mom" rose in my throat, but I swallowed it back down.

"Ms. Lu," I said, "Jasmine isn't the right choice."

Jasmine's eyes flashed with anger. "What did you say? Who do you think you are to talk?"

I ignored her, keeping my voice steady as I looked at my mother. "Her character isn't suited to be your heir. You should keep looking."

My mother's eyes were fixed on my pale face. I saw her fist clench inside her coat pocket. Her voice was laced with scorn.

"Who I choose as my heir is none of your damn business."

A sharp sting filled my nose. All I could do was offer another weak smile as I watched my mother lead Jasmine away and climb into a Porsche.

After a long moment, I pulled the hood of my sweatshirt over my head with a trembling hand, hiding the fresh bruises on my face. I cleaned up the mess amidst the pointing fingers and whispered insults, then limped back to my tiny apartment.

Inside the Porsche, Tessa spoke quietly to her assistant.

"Look into any and all contact between Jasmine and Annie Wei."

Jasmine's eyes widened in disbelief. "Aunt Tessa, you're investigating me... because of something she said?!"

She looked at my mother's cold profile, her lip trembling. "We're mother and daughter... Mom..."

Tessa shot her a sideways glance. "Jasmine, you're overstepping. If you are qualified, you will become my successor. There is no need to bring our relationship into it."

A dark cloud passed over Jasmine's face as she clenched her fists.