Mango Chapter 2

The morning of my second day in the basement, my mother finally remembered me. “Bernard, that’s enough. I think Lina has learned her lesson. Let her out. I’m worried she’ll hold a grudge against Rachel.”

Bernard frowned. “Fine. I’m her brother, after all. I’ll teach her properly later.”

My father nodded. “What’s the big deal? If she throws a tantrum, just buy her something to make up for it.”

But Rachel chimed in with a sweet smile. “Speaking of making it up, brother, you promised to take me shopping yesterday. You can’t go back on your word.”

Bernard tapped her forehead gently. “Of course I didn’t forget. I’ll take you right now, okay?”

My mother looked at Rachel with adoration. “I’ll come with you. Didn’t you say you liked my custom necklace? I ordered one for you, too. Today, we’ll make your father our personal chauffeur and bag carrier!”

My father smiled at them and stood up. Just like that, the family that was supposed to let me out completely forgot about me.

They went to the mall, happy and laughing. I floated behind them, a silent observer. Rachel shopped and bought whatever she wanted, while Bernard and my father paid with smiles on their faces. My mother fussed over her, straightening her clothes. They looked like the perfect, happy family.

As they passed a toy store, Bernard paused instinctively. Rachel noticed and tightened her grip on his arm.

“What’s wrong, brother?” she cooed. “Why did you stop?”

He hesitated for a moment before replying softly, “It’s nothing. I just remembered I promised Lina I’d buy her a stuffed bunny.”

Rachel’s face fell. She pouted. “I knew it. You like Lina more than me!” She turned her back, feigning anger.

Bernard immediately started to console her. “How could you say that? Rachel, you’re the only princess in my heart…”

His phone rang, cutting him off. It was Maria, the housekeeper, her voice tinged with anxiety.

“Sir, Miss Lina… she hasn’t made a sound since yesterday. I’m a little worried…”

Bernard’s brow furrowed in annoyance. “What’s there to worry about? A little mango juice isn’t going to kill her, is it?”

“But… I’m just afraid she might be dead… Why else would she be so quiet?”

“Just leave her alone,” Bernard snapped, his patience wearing thin. “She’s just doing it for attention. Maria, how many times has she pulled this? Haven’t you learned your lesson yet?”

He hung up abruptly, but before he turned away, his gaze lingered on the stuffed bunnies in the store window.

When I first came back to the family, I was in a daze. The villa was beautiful and warm, the bed my mother prepared for me was soft, but I couldn’t sleep. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw my foster father’s monstrous face.

When Bernard found out, he put a small stuffed bunny in my hands.

“Lina, do you remember this? I gave it to you when you were little. You used to have to hug it to sleep every night. If you can’t sleep, try holding it.”

Tears instantly filled my eyes. I clutched the bunny to my chest as if it were a precious treasure.

Later, Rachel cut my bunny to shreds with a pair of scissors.

I ran to confront her, furious.

But she just burst into tears. “It’s all my fault! But… but it’s because you said… you said I stole your painting for the competition, and you ripped up my award certificate. That painting was mine. I was just so angry, I took it out on your toy. I’m so sorry, it’s all my fault…”

Bernard saw her crying and immediately pulled her into a protective embrace. My parents crowded around her, comforting her.

I ran out of the house in tears. Bernard caught up with me.

“Lina, can’t you just be a little more understanding? Rachel has already been so tolerant with you!”

The darkening look on his face made the words I wanted to say die in my throat.

“Then… then will you buy me another bunny, brother?”

Bernard’s expression softened slightly. He raised his hand as if to pat my head, but then let it drop.

At that moment, I thought I could also be a little willful, that our blood ties would allow for it.

It was only later that I realized I was aiming too high.

My mother received the custom necklace and gently fastened it around Rachel’s neck.

My father, as if suddenly remembering something, said, “We should buy something for Lina too, to appease her.”

Bernard frowned. “These are all custom pieces. We didn’t order anything for her. What can we buy?”

“I saw a jewelry store by the entrance,” my father said dismissively. “Just get her a gold necklace.”

Bernard chuckled. “Good idea. Lina is so greedy. Gold is a universal currency. She’ll definitely love it.”

Just then, Rachel spoke up hesitantly. “Brother, I don’t think that’s a good idea. Lina is already so vain at school. If we buy her such an expensive necklace, won’t that just encourage her to be more materialistic?”