Chapter 2
448words
Her face was twisted with rage, eyes full of hate.
I'd just finished running, my legs were weak, and before I could get up,
Emily's father John stomped on my chest.
I could barely breathe.
Susan laughed coldly and grabbed my hair again.
Forcing my head back, she snarled,
"Last chance! Where's my Emily!"
I gasped in pain but couldn't help smirking.
"Your daughter doesn't even tell you, and now you come asking me? Is she really your daughter?"
"She's off marrying that lowlife! If you don't hurry, she'll be giving you a grandchild too!"
Suddenly, the grip on my hair loosened.
I was slapped hard across the face.
I tried to stand, but my legs were like jelly.
Rage burned in my eyes, my face red.
The commotion drew attention from other students, and even the teacher came over to investigate.
Susan ignored him completely.
She scanned the crowd and slapped my cheek repeatedly.
"You think I can't do anything if you don't talk?"
"You little bitch!"
"You think the school will protect you just because you enrolled? If you don't hand over my daughter today, I'll send you back to Seattle myself!"
The teacher finally sensed the seriousness and tried to warn them on behalf of the school.
John's face darkened, and he roared,
"I'm looking for my daughter—what's it to you? Emily was taken by this Lily, so I'm dealing with her! You're probably no better!"
"I should be blaming the school—my daughter disappears right after arriving, and you threaten me? I'll expose you online!"
As the teacher backed away, John smirked.
He snorted,
"Today, the school either hands over my daughter or expels Lily. Otherwise... we'll see!"
His fleshy face shook with anger, looking even more terrifying.
He pressed down on my chest, and I almost vomited.
The teacher gave up on protecting me and secretly texted the principal.
I gritted my teeth and wheezed,
"I'm calling the police!"
"You're accusing me without evidence! I can sue you for damages!"
Hearing that, Susan slapped me again.
Her eyes burned with fury.
"You dare call the police after taking my daughter? They'll arrest you!"
"My Emily's so well-behaved, she'd never dare speak out of turn—you've corrupted her! Her last message said she was with you for registration!"
"Her name's not on the gym class roster—you owe me an explanation!"
She glanced at John, and he lifted his foot from my chest.
I gasped for air.
Before I could call for help, John dragged me by my hair across the ground.
My wrists and ankles scraped against the track, leaving bloody marks.
