Page 108 of Perfect Happiness

“Don’t kick me out of the house.”

Jiyoo started choking on her own tears.The back of her throat was contracting rapidly with convulsions.It felt like her head was going to explode with pain.Jiyoo was too distraught to realize she was making things worse.

Jiyoo had already made two mistakes.She wasn’t allowed to cry when begging for forgiveness.Crying annoyed Mother and made her even angrier.The proper thing to do was to explain what she did wrong and why she did it.Jiyoo’s second mistake was asking Mother to stop.Mother decided the punishment, not Jiyoo.

“Just take me to Grandma’s house.I won’t come home until you tell me to—”

And with that, Jiyoo had made a third mistake.An unforgivable mistake.Telling Mother what to do.

Jiyoo’s left cheek turned suddenly to the right.Lightning struck the other cheek.Pushed back by the force of the slap, Jiyoo hit her head on the corner of the bed and fell to the ground.A scream erupted.The ceiling was spinning above Jiyoo’s head.Everything became distant.

“Get up.”

Mother’s voice sounded distant.Jiyoo lifted her head.The taste of iron trickled down Jiyoo’s throat.She felt nauseous and started to hiccup.

“Faster.”

Jiyoo got up.She staggered.The floor beneath her feet felt unsteady.Something was dripping from her chin.Specks of bright red were dotting the floor and her pajama bottoms.Jiyoo desperately focused her vision and looked at Mother.She hoped that Mother would see that she had a nosebleed.But it was in vain.A cold hand grabbed Jiyoo’s shoulder and pushed her.

“Go to the wardrobe.”

Jiyoo staggered to the wardrobe.Mother followed and stood behind her.

“Open the door and take out your suitcase.”

Jiyoo opened the door, but she didn’t want to take out the suitcase.If she did that, she would really have to go outside.

“Please, Mother.I said I was sorry.”

Jiyoo turned around and pulled Mother’s waist toward her.

“Let go of me.”

Mother tried to push Jiyoo away.Jiyoo buried her head in Mother’s stomach and shook her head furiously.

“No.I don’t want to go.Mother, please!”

Jiyoo didn’t realize she was shouting.She also didn’t realize how desperately she was holding on to Mother.

“Let go of me, you lying cunt!”

Mother’s voice erupted like thunder.Jiyoo went flying toward the wall.She felt her head hit the wall.There was a loud thud, and then Mother’s face grew distant.Her vision was going black.And then the world vanished.

“Jiyoo, wake up.Jiyoo.”

It was Jiyoo’s stepfather’s voice.She opened her eyes.Stunned eyes were looking down at her.

“Can you see me?”

Jiyoo tried to say yes, but her mouth wouldn’t open.Instead of answering, she just blinked at him.

“Are you okay?”

Jiyoo didn’t know.But she knew that even if she could get up, it would be best not to.If she pretended to be unconscious, Mother might show mercy.Jiyoo closed her eyes again.

“Don’t interfere.”

Jiyoo could hear Mother’s voice from her right.Jiyoo’s stepfather lifted her up with both arms.