Lillian wasn't going to helplessly wait there to wait for Henry Chen's mood to lighten up, so that he decides to release her.
A lighter sat in her hand. She twirled it between her fingers.
From ever since she could remember, a little of misbehaviour would have Henry lock her up in the basement. She was never the picture-perfect, gentle and obedient daughter Chen family wanted.
In the beginning, she was scared and cried for the man to release her. However, as she grew older, Lillian grew used to the stuffy and dark basement, usually sneaking things in to keep her occupied.
Matches and lighters were few of those things. Because it can get pretty cold and dark here, Lillian relied on them for the little they can offer.
Her vivid memories let her know Jason Chen will be arriving any moment now, nagging her about her behaviour and letting her know how disappointed he had been with her.
Lillian, on the other hand, will break down in frustration and heartache, responding, "Brother, why don't you believe me? I didn't do it. I didn't cheat! You have known me for twenty years! Don't you know how I am? Please, trust me. I didn't do it."
However, those dark eyes of Jason stared at her coldly, condemning her.
"Admit it if you did it. I will talk to dad to be lenient on you."
It was as if a final verdict was set.
Just like all the previous times, he chose to not trust her.
When she heard the soft sounds of footsteps, Lillian lit the old curtains in the basement on fire. She watched as the flames slowly started to engulf the surroundings, and the smoke began to rise.
Hearing the sounds of the door unlocking at the same time, Lillian wore panic on her face, rushing over to the door. She knocked on the door desperately.
"Help, please, help! There is fire!" Lillian shouted.
The bright light hit her face when she door opened. There was Jason standing there, and she hugged him tightly as if she met her saviour.
He frowned.
"Why is fire here? Go and get the extinguisher," he ordered.
Lillian moved away from him, not wanting to touch him, before going over to stand behind him. Her eyes turned sinister for a second.
She raised her hand, intending to push him into the room and lock him up with the burning flames. It would be interesting to watch him wail as the fire overtook him.
A memory from her previous life was unlocked.
The entire family visited a vacation house. At that time, Jason caught a cold, and due to the medicine, he was dead asleep. As the entire family was out, their vacation house caught on fire.
Lillian was the first to realize this, and seeing how her brother wasn't out yet, she rushed into the burning house to rescue him. In the process, Lillian burned her entire back, damaging her spine as well.
Even then, she felt grateful to be able to save her older brother.
But instead of a word of concern, she was met with scorn and scolding from the family. Lillian didn't understand what magical powers Eva possessed to weave the story so effortlessly, placing the blame entirely on her.
As always, the Chen family has already decided— she set the house on fire.
When she was on the hospital bed, crying and unable to move, their assistant came over to inform her how she should be lucky they weren't pressing charges.
And Jason Chen, to make up to his dear sister, Eva, took her out to enjoy another trip.
Since she had saved his life already once, it wouldn't be too much for to take it back now.
But before her hands could touch his back, she heard the sounds of the workers rushing over to extinguish the fire.
In the end, she could only suppress her murderous intent.
As Jason Chen looked over to her, Lillian broke out into fit of coughs, looking weak and scared.
"Why was there suddenly fire there?" he asked.
Lillian shook her head. "I have no idea."
His eyes narrowed at her.
"You are not suspect I did it, right? I was down there. I wouldn't want to harm myself, Brother," Lillian expressed— her tone desperate.
Before Jason could respond, Eva hurried over along with their mother, Mary. Eva gasped looking at the fire.
She then held on to Lillian's hands and said, "Are you alright, Lily? Did you get hurt? Why is the basement suddenly on fire? Don't tell me... No, that's absurd. No matter what, I know you wouldn't light the basement on fire."
And there it was.
With simple words from Lillian, those suspicious eyes of Jason and Mary fell on her.
If it was before, she would have slapped Eva's hands away, but now, she clenched tightly onto her hands, applying pressure and watching the discomfort on her face.
Lillian's eyes watered. A droplet of tear gathered, trailing down her cheek.
"I was scared, I was so scared to suddenly see the fire. I thought no one was going to rescue me, leave me alone to burn in the fire alone. Fortunately, Jason was there to rescue me," Lillian expressed.
Then, she slapped on her forehead.
"This is all my fault. I should have been careful. Although I don't know why the basement is suddenly in flames, maybe if I noticed properly this wouldn't happen," Lillian carried on.
She didn't want to compete with Eva for favor of the Chen family. Instead, she wanted to trample on them.
However, now that she was in their mercy, she had to play wisely.
Only she knew how this family— which appeared decent on the outside— was a controlling monster. If she acted out of line, she would be locked up again— this time for a longer period of time under harsher conditions.
Lillian then let go of Eva and slipped down to sit on the ground. Placing her hand on her forehead, she vocalized, "If only I didn't feel so weak. I have been hungry for two days, but this is what I deserve. Dad only wants to correct my behaviour. I am in the wrong."
"Hungry for two days."
And then, Lillian closed her eyes, falling on the floor.
The Chen family wouldn't leave her here to suffer— not with all the eyes watching them.
After all, they were a family that cares a lot about their face.