The truth behind the smile
The closer we got to Father's residence, the heavier my chest felt.
Something was wrong.
The village I remembered had always been quiet, but today, unfamiliar men stood at the entrance. They wore dark clothes, their faces cold and expressionless. Their presence sent a chill down my spine.
Mother tightened her grip on my hand.
"Stay close to me," she whispered.
I nodded.
When we stepped forward, I saw him.
My father—Tian Xu—stood at the center of the courtyard, surrounded by those men. He looked exactly the same as I remembered. Tall. Stern. Untouchable.
Mother let go of my hand and walked toward him, lowering her head.
"My Lord," she said, bowing deeply.
"You may rise," he replied coldly.
She lifted her head carefully. "Lord Tian Xu… who are these people? They shouldn't be here, right?"
His expression darkened instantly.
"Shut up!" he roared.
I flinched.
"Fang Su," he barked. "Take the child away."
Before I could react, a man grabbed my arm. His grip was tight and rough.
"Mom!" I cried, trying to pull free.
"Xin Yue!" Mother reached out, panic flooding her eyes.
I was dragged away, my feet stumbling against the ground. My heart pounded wildly. I couldn't understand what was happening—but fear crawled deep into my bones.
From a distance, I heard Father's voice again.
"Our child?" he sneered. "Do you really think I still need you and that useless girl?"
Mother's voice trembled. "We came because you said you would accept us back. Won't you accept Xin Yue too?"
He laughed—a cruel, mocking sound.
"I only need an heir!"
I struggled harder. "Let me go! I want my mom!"
Then I heard her cry out in pain.
I twisted my head around just in time to see Father grab Mother's arm violently.
"If I knew you would ruin my life," he shouted, "I would never have married you! How dare you get pregnant with another useless female child!"
Her face drained of color.
"Ti-Tian Xu…" she whispered, tears streaming down her cheeks. "You're hurting me."
"What if this child is a boy?" she suddenly yelled, desperation breaking through her fear. "What if the fortune teller was wrong?! What then?!"
Silence fell.
For a brief moment, Father looked stunned.
Then his face twisted with rage.
Slap!
The sound echoed through the courtyard.
Mother fell to the ground with a scream.
"Mom!!!" I screamed with all my strength.
That was when Fang Su loosened his grip slightly.
I didn't think.
I bit his hand and ran.
I ran as fast as my legs could carry me, my heart thundering in my ears.
"Mom! Mom!" I cried.
I hid behind a large tree at the edge of the courtyard, my body shaking as I peeked through the leaves.
Mother lay on the ground, clutching her stomach in pain.
"Tian Xu…" she gasped. "Please… spare us…"
Father looked down at her without a trace of mercy.
Suddenly, Mother laughed.
It wasn't warm.
It wasn't gentle.
It was cold—and frightening.
"I will make you pay," she whispered. "I will make you pay for everything."
Before Father could react, she pulled a hairpin from her hair and tried to stab him.
But pain seized her again.
The hairpin fell uselessly to the ground as she collapsed, groaning.
Father laughed.
"What makes you think you can kill me with that?" he mocked. "You weak creature."
Tears blurred my vision.
I covered my mouth to stop myself from screaming.
Then he drew his sword.
"No—!" I whispered.
The blade pierced her shoulder.
Blood spilled across the ground.
Mother's eyes slowly closed.
My world shattered.
From behind me, hurried footsteps approached.
"She escaped," Fang Su said breathlessly.
Father turned sharply. "Find her."
He paused, then turned to one of his men.
"Cai Hong," he ordered coldly, handing him a bow and arrows. "Stay here. If that girl appears… kill her."
I pressed my back against the tree, my entire body frozen in terror.
That day, something inside me died.
And something else was born.