The Daughter in the Shadows | Read Free Preview

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Chapter 1

In the third year at the psychiatric hospital, the assistant nurse frowned as she walked down the hallway, kicking aside the mental patients who were huddled together playing a game of stacking humans. Once they scattered with distorted screams, the woman at the very bottom of the pile was revealed, curled up and unmoving. Her hair was a mess, covering her face, and her eyes were vacant as she heard the assistant nurse's harsh words above her. "1030, you've got visitors from home. Get up and clean yourself up." Home... was she talking about the family that had thrown her into this psychiatric hospital and left her there for three years? They weren't her family anymore. Seeing that the woman remained motionless, like a dead body on the ground, the assistant nurse impatiently yanked her by the hair, pulling her up. "Are you trying to die? Can't you hear me?" Yunice Saunders hugged her head with both hands as she was roughly dragged to the bathroom by her collar. The nurse turned on the high-pressure shower, spraying Yunice, who was crouched in the corner, in a way that resembled how they treated animals in a cage. Twenty minutes later, Yunice was taken to the visitation room. "Mr. Owen, 1030 is here to see you." Yunice's blank gaze shifted to the man sitting on the couch. He was clasping his hands together, elbows resting on his knees, and he had a frown on his face that suggested annoyance and heavy emotions. This was her second older brother, Owen Saunders. When Yunice was born, her mother and father had fought, and after giving birth to her, her mother left the house in a tantrum. Her father searched for her in vain, and he passed away when she was 13. Later, Oscar Saunders and Owen took care of the family. Back then, they swore that as long as they were around, no one would ever bully her. Now, seeing this familiar face once again, Yunice felt a sharp pain in her chest, but her gaze dropped coldly. The grievance was real, but so was the resentment. Owen no longer cared for her and had personally sent her to the psychiatric hospital. Owen also looked up at Yunice. On the way here, he had imagined that after three years apart, she would surely have realized her mistakes and would obediently throw herself into his arms, asking for his forgiveness. However, she didn't. She stood there with a cold expression. He had come here full of joy, expecting to bring his sister back home, but she didn't even greet him. Owen had intended to get up and embrace her, but he hesitated and spoke in an annoyed tone. "Elsie misses you. She begged me to bring you home. From today on, you can leave the psychiatric hospital." When he finally got a reaction from Yunice, Owen's tone changed. "But there's a condition. Once you get home, you are not allowed to make things difficult for Elsie." Yunice's face fell. They really thought that if she didn't make things difficult for Elsie White, everything at home would go back to normal? It was Elsie who had played a part in getting her sent to the psychiatric hospital. Five years ago, the police returned her mother, who had been missing for 15 years, along with Elsie, who was a year younger than Yunice, to the Saunders family. Yunice then learned that her mother had been kidnapped by human traffickers and taken to the mountains, and Elsie was the child she had been forced to bear. In other words, Elsie was her half-sister. The family reunion moved Oscar and Owen deeply, and they accepted Elsie without any resentment, treating her as their own sister. Yunice had initially treated Elsie with all her heart, wanting to make up for lost time. But Elsie kept scheming behind her back, constantly framing her. To avoid upsetting her brothers and making her mother feel uncomfortable, Yunice had always endured. Until three years ago, when she was trapped in a fire, and Elsie insisted on rushing in to save her. By the time Owen found them, he had snatched the gas mask from Yunice's face to give it to Elsie. Owen had carried Elsie out of the fire without a second thought, leaving Yunice, who was nearly unconscious, behind. Afterward, Elsie triggered Yunice, saying that she had deliberately run into the fire to see who Owen would save. The Saunders family only needed one daughter; the one who wasn't loved was the excess. Yunice exposed Elsie in front of everyone, but Elsie merely threw herself into Owen's arms with a sob, and everyone rushed to comfort Elsie while calling Yunice cruel and ungrateful. In the end, Elsie deliberately stabbed herself while holding Yunice's hand. The family had seen her holding the knife, and they all thought she was crazy, so they sent her to the psychiatric hospital. Seeing Yunice's bitter expression, Owen felt his anger rise. He had come to help her, to bring her home, but she was still acting so ungrateful and passive-aggressive. <i>Doesn't she want to leave?</i> "Are you trying to stay in the psychiatric hospital and enjoy the good life there?" The "good life" in the psychiatric hospital? Yunice was stunned. <i>Does he have any idea what it was like there? It i</i><i>s full of madmen! Crazy people whom neither the law nor common decency could control! These people could rip my clothes, poke my face with the back of a spoon, and they loved playing human stacking. A pile of them would crush me under the weight of their bodies, squeezing my chest and hips, suffocating me into darkness. Even if a crazy person killed me, they wouldn't be held accountable!</i> Of course, Owen wouldn't know any of this because he hadn't visited her in three years. He probably thought she was resting peacefully in the psychiatric hospital, lying down and enjoying a lazy life. She knew Owen too well–he thought she was a liar and a crazy person. No matter how much she explained, even if she showed him the scars, he wouldn't believe her. He'd think it was all part of her act. And the nurses at the psychiatric hospital wouldn't admit that they allowed the patients to bully her. Yunice had already confirmed this many times with Owen. Complaining to biased people was just stupid. Seeing Yunice still acting indifferent, Owen felt even more irritated. "I see your madness isn't cured yet. Are you planning to take revenge on Elsie when you go home?" Owen wanted to hear Yunice admit her mistakes, but her cold attitude made him feel suffocated. In a fit of anger, he kicked the tea kettle near him, sending it sliding toward Yunice. Sparks flew out of the kettle, and Yunice jumped back, her face full of fear as she hid her hands behind her. Owen snapped, "If you dare grab the charcoal, I'll believe you're cured, and you can leave this place." The implication was clear–if she didn't dare touch it, that meant she wasn't cured, and she would have to stay for further treatment. After the fire three years ago, Yunice had developed a fear of fire. Owen noticed the fear in her eyes, and he felt a little relieved. He knew that she was most afraid of fire and pain, so she wouldn't dare reach for it. As long as she promised not to harm Elsie again, he would forgive her. Just as he thought this, Owen's eyes widened in shock as Yunice suddenly reached into the fire. "Who told you to actually grab it?" Owen rushed over and pulled her hand away. Yunice's palm was burned so badly that it was bleeding! Seeing her grit her teeth and endure the pain, trembling from the agony, Owen froze. She was the most afraid of pain. Even when her hand was just scratched as a child, she would cry and make him comfort her. <i>How can she stand such sev</i><i>ere pain without a word now?</i> The younger sister he had spoiled for 20 years was no longer seeking his comfort. Owen's heart tightened. She was his most beloved sister… How could he not care? "Does it hurt?" Yunice withdrew her hand and hid it behind her back, her voice cold. "I'm better now. I'm not crazy anymore. Can I leave the hospital?" Owen's brows furrowed deeply, and he said angrily, "I came to pick you up out of kindness, and you're throwing a tantrum and being passive-aggressive. You stabbed Elsie, and we didn't send you to jail. We've been nice enough, and now you're complaining? You think I'll pamper you like I did before just because you're self-harming?" His anger flared, and he turned to leave the psychiatric hospital. "If you want to leave, go ahead."

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Chapter 2

In her rush to leave, Owen wasn't worried that Yunice wouldn't follow. She had been desperate enough to grab burning coal, so there was no way she would be petty enough to stay behind. Sure enough, Yunice walked out of the psychiatric hospital. The way she walked was a little strange. She held her stomach with one arm, her shoulders hunched, and her legs seemed too heavy to lift. The driver, Bobby, sensed something was off. "Mr. Owen, Ms. Saunders doesn't look well." Owen lifted his gaze and let out a cold scoff. "She's just putting on an act, trying to make me fuss over her. I've spoiled her too much, and now she thinks acting weak makes her justified in everything." Even as he spoke dismissively, he couldn't help but notice how much thinner she looked, how pale her complexion was, and the injuries on her hands… Fine. Once she got in the car, he'd take her to a hospital for a checkup, just so she wouldn't use illness as an excuse to manipulate him again. But before he could follow through with that thought, Yunice, despite seeing his car, suddenly turned and bolted in the opposite direction. She was trying to escape! Yunice had no intention of returning to the Saunders family! Elsie must have set a trap, just waiting for her to walk into it. Going back now would be like throwing herself into a pit of suffering! She didn't want anything from the Saunders family anymore. Her priority was to replace her ID, and disappear just to start over on her own! But her body was too battered. The internal injuries from those crazy people back there had taken a toll. Every step she took was like reopening a wound. Yunice panted heavily, her forehead drenched in cold sweat, yet she barely made it far before Owen yanked her back. "Ah!" Yunice let out a sharp scream as she lost her balance and fell hard to the ground. The sheer agony in her cry startled Owen. He froze, staring at Yunice, who curled up on the ground, clutching her head like she was bracing for a beating… But he hadn't even done anything. Frowning, he examined her carefully but made no move to help her up. "If you think running away is going to make me worry, you're wrong." At the sound of Owen's voice, Yunice finally dared to lower her hands. <i>Right… this isn't the psychiatric hospital. No one is going to chase me down and beat me here.</i> Owen said with a frown, "Right now, you don't even exist in the system. Without identification, you can't even buy a ticket." No money, no phone, no ID… She had nowhere to go. Like it or not, she had to rely on the Saunders family. "I don't exist?" Yunice was confused at first, but then her eyes widened as realization struck. Elsie was the illegitimate one. When their mother brought her back from the mountains, she couldn't provide a birth certificate or any information about her father. Because of that, Elsie had been a ghost in the system ever since she joined the Saunders family. She couldn't enroll in school, couldn't buy a plane ticket, and barely dared to step outside. Her background was a stain on her existence. She was pitiful, innocent. So, the whole family bent over backward to compensate her. Even Yunice had done the same. And now… Yunice let out a bitter laugh. The very thing she once pitied in someone else had now become her own reality. Owen, seeing her reaction, figured this would be hard for her to accept. He crouched down and started explaining, "After you were admitted to the psychiatric hospital, Oscar was worried that the longer you stayed, the worse your reputation would get. So, he had Elsie take on your identity–she went to school as you, attended banquets as you. She grew up in the mountains, Yunice. When she first arrived at our house, she didn't even know what a strawberry was. She knew she was worlds apart from you and was terrified of embarrassing you in public. That's why she studied late into the night, until she collapsed from exhaustion more than once. She did it all for you. Don't be ungrateful and hurt her feelings." Owen frowned, his expression filled with disappointment, as if Yunice were the unreasonable one. Yunice let out a humorless chuckle. "So now that I'm better, can she return my identity?" She knew the answer already. Elsie had spent years establishing herself under Yunice's name. Even if she willingly handed it back, the people she had built connections with would only see Yunice as the imposter bullying her. She already knew she'd never get her identity back. Still, she couldn't help but feel bitter, resentful. She wanted to hear Owen's response. As expected, Owen snapped. "I just explained everything to you, and all you care about is yourself. Not once did you ask how Elsie was doing. Three years of treatment at the psychiatric hospital, and you're still just as selfish!" Owen lost the last of his patience. "The psychiatric hospital is right there. If you don't want to come home, go back inside!" With that, he turned and got into the car. The driver, Bobby, hesitated. "Mr. Owen, are we really leaving Ms. Saunders behind?" Owen made sure Yunice could hear him. "I was too good to her, that's why she turned into an ungrateful brat! Let her suffer a little, maybe then she'll finally understand what kindness means." With that, he rolled up the window and ordered coldly, "Drive." As the Saunders family car sped away, Yunice didn't even glance at it. She forced her battered body to move and turned to look at the psychiatric hospital one last time. She would never, ever go back in there. She knew the way home. Even without transportation, she could walk back. Yet two hours after Owen had arrived home, there was still no sign of her. … At the cemetery, Yunice knelt on the ground, pressing her face against the cold tombstone as she sobbed. "Dad, I miss you so much… If you knew your daughter had no home to go back to, you'd be heartbroken. Dad, hold me, please… Owen and Mom don't love me anymore. They only hug Elsie. They only smile at Elsie…" Clutching the tombstone, Yunice buried her forehead against the photo of her father, but the stone remained silent. Just like how she would never receive the comfort she longed for. She didn't know how long she cried. Only when her tears had completely dried did she start to calm down. Wiping her face with the back of her hand, she then used her sleeve to clean the dust off the tombstone. "Dad, I'll take care of myself. Don't worry." With that, she started digging at the ground in front of the grave. When her hands weren't enough, she used a rock to pry up one of the tiles. Beneath the stone was a hollow space containing a box. The Saunders family came from a long line of apothecaries, but when they transitioned into the hospital business, traditional medicine was gradually phased out. However, the family's medical texts were still passed down through generations. When Yunice was little, her father had noticed her fascination with ancient medicine and left all the books to her. After he passed, ten-year-old Yunice had secretly hidden them here. Back then, she had naively thought that if her father got bored underground, he could at least have something to read. She never expected that a childish decision would one day become her last remaining asset. Inside the box wasn't just an ancient medical script; there was also a Bovine Bezoar Pill, and a real one at that. A proper Bovine Bezoar Pill could save a life in a critical moment. The original formula required rhino horn, but since rhino horn was banned, later versions used buffalo horn instead, which significantly reduced its potency. But the one in Yunice's possession was a rare, original formula. Her body was a mess. She had no money, no ID, no way to get hospital treatment, and no access to medicine. So, she bit off a piece of the pill and swallowed it. The remaining chunk was carefully put away. She quickly scanned her surroundings. No one was nearby. She buried the rest of her things back in the ground. Elsie could never know about this. Otherwise, she would sweet-talk Owen into taking everything away from her. Just as she finished covering the grave, a familiar yet unfamiliar voice spoke from behind her. "I knew you'd be here."

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Chapter 3

Yunice's back stiffened, but she didn't turn around. It was Paul Powell, her childhood playmate and fiancé. She didn't turn around, but Paul reached out, grabbed her shoulder, and turned her to face him with a grin. "You always run to your dad's grave whenever you're upset…" His smile froze. He had finally seen Yunice's face, which was sickly pale. Her eyes, hidden beneath long black hair, were shrunken and hollow. A chill crawled up his spine, and he instinctively withdrew his hand. That was when he remembered that she was a lunatic. Lunatics were capable of anything. He had even heard rumors that she smeared filth on herself for fun. The thought that he had just touched her made Paul's skin crawl, and he discreetly wiped his hand against the tree trunk behind him. His movements weren't obvious, but Yunice still noticed. She and Paul had been engaged for years, and everyone had always assumed they were a couple, even Yunice herself. Because of that, she had always felt a subtle sense of possessiveness toward him. Being rejected by someone she liked was painful. But Yunice's reaction was subdued. Paul hadn't visited her even once during her three years in the psychiatric hospital. She had already realized there was no future between them. Too much time had passed. Paul no longer knew how to interact with Yunice. To him, she was like a familiar stranger. Awkwardly, he said, "Ever since you stabbed her in a fit of madness, Elsie's health has been poor. Now that you refuse to go home, she's so worried she can't even eat. We're all really concerned about her." Yunice smirked. <i>She's been skipping meals, yet she's still alive, isn't she?</i> Seeing that Yunice was unmoved, Paul frowned and his tone hardened as he said, "I'm telling you to go home and apologize to Elsie right now. If you don't, then you can forget about ever seeing me again." Yunice had indeed been submissive toward Paul in the past, making him believe she couldn't live without him. But during her years in the psychiatric hospital, waiting for salvation, her hopes had already been eroded to nothing. She had stopped expecting anything from anyone. She would no longer try to please anyone. Letting go of her need to be loved, she now only wanted to live for herself. Yunice spread her palm open and looked at the burn mark on her hand. Pain reminded her that when she had no power, being stubborn or acting tough would only bring her more suffering. So she decided to go with Paul. She had planned to return to the Saunders family to reclaim her identity anyway, and riding in his car was better than walking. Paul walked ahead and pulled some wet wipes from the car to wipe his hands outside the door. When he got in, he noticed Yunice sitting in the backseat. She used to always sit in the front passenger seat–it had been her exclusive spot. <i>W</i><i>hy isn't she sitting there now?</i> Then he spotted the sticker on the dashboard that read: "Princess' Exclusive Seat. Other Girls, Sit in the Back." Paul's face flushed with embarrassment. He quickly explained, "My sister put that there as a joke. Don't overthink it, alright?" He expected Yunice to pester him about it like she used to, to interrogate him relentlessly. Just thinking about it annoyed him. Yunice was always jealous, and if she found out Elsie had put that sticker there, she'd definitely cause trouble for her. Paul had already prepared himself. No matter what Yunice questioned him about, he would just lash out, accusing her of being paranoid. That had always worked before; not only would he get away with it, but Yunice would also end up coaxing him instead. But to his surprise, before he could even say anything, Yunice simply replied, "Okay." Then, nothing. Paul was stunned for a moment. He waited but Yunice truly had no intention of asking further. He frowned, then started the car. The inside of the car was silent. Neither of them spoke. Paul glanced at the rearview mirror and saw Yunice gazing out the window with an indifferent expression, as if she wasn't even paying attention to him. He had planned to talk to her about breaking off the engagement, but he had also worried she might refuse to let go. Yet now, seeing her so indifferent, he inexplicably felt irritated. He couldn't put his finger on it, but the more she ignored him, the more irked he became. So he suddenly slammed on the gas, speeding up. Yunice was timid. Whenever he drove fast, she used to get scared and beg him to slow down. But now, even as the speedometer neared its limit, Yunice simply fastened her seatbelt and remained silent. The car barely scraped past a massive truck, making Paul break out in a cold sweat. Panicked, he quickly slowed down on his own. She didn't even ask him to stop. He felt embarrassed, and he muttered, "You're braver than before." Paul was young and reckless. He liked showing off by driving fast, enjoying the way Yunice used to get scared and plead with him to slow down. But Yunice had never been afraid of speed. Back then, she was only afraid of him getting hurt. Now that he was no longer her loved one, she no longer cared. At the Saunders family estate, Lily Moore and Elsie stood at the gate, eagerly awaiting their arrival. Seeing Owen walk out with a shawl in his hand, Elsie assumed it was for her. She subtly nudged Lily aside, waiting for Owen to drape it over her shoulders. But Owen didn't even look at her. He was gazing down the road, anticipating the arrival of Paul's car, holding the shawl for Yunice. Elsie's face twisted with frustration. <i>Even now, Owen</i><i> still can't let go of that lunatic.</i> Just then, Paul's car pulled up, and she quickly put on a look of admiration. "Paul always knows how to handle things. Yunice only listens to him…" Then, as if realizing she had said something wrong, she gasped and covered her mouth. With a sob, she said, "Owen, I wasn't trying to say you're incapable. It's just that I grew up in the mountains and don't know how to speak properly…" But Owen was already deep in thought. <i>She is right. I had personally gone to pick Yunice up, had spoken to her patiently, but she had only given me attitude and</i><i> refused to go with me. Yet Paul, of all people, had managed to bring her home so easily?</i> Owen's mood soured. He had been so happy just moments ago, yet now his face darkened. She didn't care whether he coaxed her or not? Well, he didn't care either! So, when Yunice stepped out of the car, Owen deliberately draped the shawl over Elsie's shoulders instead. As for Yunice… She could freeze for all he cared. The autumn evening was already chilly. Especially stepping out of the car, the cold wind immediately sent a shiver through Yunice's thin T-shirt. She glanced at the shawl wrapped around Elsie, then turned her attention to Lily, who was hurrying toward her. Lily's eyes were red as she sobbed, "My child, you've suffered…" Elsie stepped forward as well, tears brimming in her eyes. "It's all my fault for wanting to live with the Saunders family. That's why Yunice got so angry that she fell ill. I should never have dared to dream of having a family… If you agree to come home, Yunice, I'll leave with nothing. You'll never have to worry about me taking your family away again." Hearing that, Lily immediately burst into tears and pulled Elsie into an embrace. Owen scowled. "You're Mom's child too. What's this talk about yours and mine? The Saunders family is your home. No one has the right to kick you out! Don't ever say such things again!" Paul stepped forward as well, placing himself between Yunice and Elsie. "She stabbed you, causing you to need lifelong medication. This is her punishment. She owes you. The Saunders family owes you. We all need to make it up to you." Owen's expression darkened. <i>Yes. This is Yunice and the Saunders family's debt. We all owed Elsie.</i>

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