The Scars He Left Me

The customer I was picking up for this late-night ride was my brother, the one whod cut ties with me nearly five years ago.
I watched the two of themhim, my brother, and the crying girl in his armsthrough the small rectangle of the rearview mirror. He was whispering gentle reassurances to her, swaying slightly with the alcohol.
Driver, take us to The Haven at Southwood, number one.
He looked up, and our eyes met. The command choked in his throat.
Iris? Is that... you?
He stared, unable to speak, the tremor in his pupils the only sign of his shock.
I said nothing. I put the car in gear and pulled away, driving toward the mansion where Id spent the first two decades of my life.
When we arrived, he sat in stunned silence, a tell-tale redness creeping into the corners of his eyes.
Five years, Iris. Why didnt you call me? I thought... I thought you were gone.
Let the past stay the past, I said, my voice flat. Come home tomorrow. Youre still the familys little princess, Anya. Nothing has changed.
I avoided the hand he slowly extended, pulling the surgical mask higher on my face to hide the still-ghastly scars from the accident.
No need, I said, my tone a chill I hadnt known I possessed. Were strangers now.
1
Rhyss hand, the one that used to ruffle my hair, froze mid-air.
He pressed his lips into a thin line, his eyes wide with surprise.
Iris, are you still angry with me?
He paused, then forged ahead with the justification I knew by heart. Look, with the accident, it was simply easier to get Lila out first. And after I got her safe, I immediately called the fire department for you.
I lowered my gaze, masking the desolate void and the corrosive mockery I felt.
So, my dearest, most beloved older brother.
After saving the girl who joined our family halfway through.
You left me locked in the car to face the flames, losing half my face.
Understood. Please complete the payment on the app now. And if youre satisfied with the service, please leave a five-star rating.
I glanced over, the professionalism in my voice absolute, devoid of any fluctuation.
Rhys didnt move. Instead, he gripped my hand.
Iris, no matter what, you are my sister. After Mom and Dad died, it was just us. We raised each other.
And that crash... you were also at fault, dont forget that.
Lila has been beside herself with guilt since you left. Just come home, okay? Everything is water under the bridge. We can be a family again.
I pulled my thin jacket tighter around my shoulders.
The weather wasnt cold, but a profound chill was running through me.
I see. You want me to apologize to your... I swallowed, my throat dry. ...to your sister? Fine.
I wrenched my door open, then yanked the back door ajar.
As Rhys watched, his eyes wide and trembling, I bent down in a deep bow toward the back seat.
I apologize, Miss. It was all my fault. I was wicked and malicious, and I...
Stop!
I was bent double, my gaze blurred and fixed on the asphalt. My eyes were burning, but no tears came.
Rhyss roar cut me off.
I heard the rapid footfalls, then I was pulled up, stumbling into a familiar, warm embrace.
Iris, dont do this.
His voice sounded shaky, and the arms holding me were desperately tight. For a brief, dizzying moment, I almost wavered.
Youre my little princess. Iris, how could you let yourself become like this? Where is the proud Anya Reed I knew?
I pushed him away, offering a wry, mocking smile.
That pride? Hed shattered it himself.
Proud? Little Princess?
I gave a short, hard laugh.
As of five years ago, we ceased to have any connection whatsoever.
His pupils contracted. He was about to speak again when the drunken woman in the back seat finally stirred.
She didnt recognize me, only whined clingily for Rhys to hold her.
Rhys, my head hurts. I feel sick.
His expression instantly softened, becoming achingly gentle. He instinctively wrapped his arms around her, soothing her back.
Its okay, sweetie. Were home in a minute. Youre a good girl.
Will you ever drink this much again?
Lila shook her head, rubbing her pale cheek against his chest. Never.
I looked away. The old me would have flown across the seat and dragged Lila out.
The me now? I felt absolutely nothing.
Except...
I looked through the window at my reflectionthe part of my face the mask failed to concealand then at Lilas face, which had transformed from its original raw, chapped state into something flawlessly translucent.
A sense of dislocation washed over me. Everything had changed, and yet, here we were.
Rhys looked back at me.
Iris, wait for me.
With that, he lifted Lila into his arms and carried her through the front door of that achingly familiar house.
I let out a cynical chuckle, opened the trunk, and pulled out my compact electric scooter.
I drove away into the cold night air.
The streets were empty in the pre-dawn hours. The icy wind forced me to think.
When I got home, my roommate, Sienna, immediately rushed me.
Iris! Thank you for styling me! I totally slayed that company gala tonight!
I managed a slight curve of my lips. Its fine.
She paused, then her face clouded with concern.
Iris, you look upset. Whats wrong?
Nothing.
I let out a shaky breath, then forced a burst of laughter. It was a hollow sound, masking the sudden clarity. For the first time in five years, I felt an overpowering need to speak.
I pulled her down to the couch.
Let me tell you a story.
Rhys was eight years older than me. Our parents died in an accident when I was seven.
In the aftermath, a fifteen-year-old Rhys shielded me from the vultures: the bloodsucking relatives, the rebellious shareholders, the media scrutiny.
At that funeral, it seemed no one was truly grieving except for him and me.
He chased everyone away like a wounded, roaring lion.
Then, he held me, my small body convulsing with sobs, and made a vow.
Dont be afraid, Iris. Im here. Your brother will always protect you.
I cried myself unconscious in his arms.
A girl of eight, suddenly orphaned, I couldn't sleep.
Rhys, exhausted from school and meetings, insisted on holding me every night, singing the lullaby Mom used to sing.
We relied solely on each other for nine years.
I thought we were each others most important person, a bond no one could break.
But the year I started high school, everything changed.
It began with the first call from Rhys after hed been gone on a business trip for a full month.
Rhys! Why werent you answering my calls?
He paused.
Anya, Im almost home. And I need to talk to you about something.
I immediately agreed. I knew how hard he worked to take care of me.
Okay, just come home. I was just worried.
But right before he hung up, I frowned.
I thought I heard a girls voice.
Less than half an hour later, I was standing at the front door as the Maybach pulled into the drive.
Rhys! I ran toward him as I always did. Youre finally back! I missed you, you
I stopped dead when I saw the unfamiliar girl sitting in the passenger seat.
My smile withered.
Who is this?
Rhys didnt notice the change in my expression. He reached in, and with infinite tenderness, helped the girl out.
Iris, this is Lila. From now on, shes Lila Reed. Our sister.
I stood frozen.
A buzzing sound filled my ears.
Lila... Reed? Sister? Rhys, what are you talking about?
The girl was timid, her skin rough and darkened, and she looked painfully thin, radiating malnutrition.
Rhys patiently explained.
During this trip, I was in a terrible car accident. If it hadnt been for Lila, I would have died.
What! You were hurt!
I completely forgot the strange girl, rushing to check him.
But his eyes remained fixed on Lila. Shes an orphan, Iris. From now on, this is her home.
I opened my mouth, but my throat was too dry to form a single word.
Fine, I forced out. Ill take care of her.
Rhys smiled, casually ruffling my hair.
Then, he turned and led Lila into the house, leaving me alone in the cold wind.
I didnt know then.
That the arrival of this girl would utterly overturn my life.
Sienna huddled on the couch, hugging a cushion, her eyes red.
So, that girl... shes the one who started all of it?
I was silent for a moment.
No. It was both of them.
Under Rhyss attentive care, Lila quickly shed her timidity.
At the same time, her jealousy and subtle antagonism toward me grew more obvious.
The next year, after Rhys and I visited our parents graves, I returned to school.
Everyone looked at me differently.
The whispers and stares made me profoundly uncomfortable.
The moment I sat down, my desk-mate yelled.
Dont touch me! Who knows what kind of dirt youve caught!
The room erupted in laughter.
I froze, confused and uneasy.
A girl who was usually nice to me secretly slid her phone over.
Anya, the girl in these pictures... is that you?
I looked down, focusing on the screen, and instantly snatched the phone away, my heart hammering with terror.
That is not me!
On the private school gossip app, a post titled, High School Queen Exposed as Sugar Baby was making my mind go blank.
The photos were graphic. Some were obvious fakes, but some... had the background of my bedroom.
A boy nearby started heckling.
Why wouldnt it be you? Take a look at this one, he pointed to a photo in my bedroom. Someone said this is your house. Anya Reed, who knew? Bringing guys home to play, huh?
I said, ITS NOT ME!
I threw the phone back at him, my eyes blazing, silencing him instantly.
Then, Lila, who had been silent, suddenly stood up and walked to my side.
Anya! If you did something wrong, just admit it! Everyone will forgive you!
I glared at her.
Did you do this?
Who else could have taken pictures of my bedroom? Who else could have accessed so many photos to Photoshop into that filth?
Lila feigned confusion.
Do what? What are you saying, Sis? Dont worry, no one is going to judge you.
I laughed coldly.
And slapped her across the face, hard.
Anya Reed! Stop it right now!
The familiar voice was here, but all the tenderness was gone, replaced by fury and icy detachment.
I watched Rhys rush to shield Lila, tenderly stroking her cheek, his face etched with pain.
Are you okay, Lila?
Then he looked at me, his eyes cold and accusing.
Look what youve done! Come home with me now!
Rhys?
My feet felt like lead. Tears immediately flooded my eyes. You dont believe me? You think thats me?
He didnt hesitate.
Lila told me everything that happened. Anya, have I ever starved you or denied you anything? How could you pull a stunt like this!
Youve disgraced Mom and Dad!
That look of utter contempt and coldness shut me down. I opened my mouth to explain, but not a single word emerged.
Siennas face was scarlet with fury as I spoke.
That bitch!
She looked at me anxiously. So, Iris, did you ever clear your name?
I offered a cynical, empty smile.
Clear my name? No. He forced me to make a public confession in front of the entire school.
He made sure everyone knew that I, Anya Reed, was nothing but a tramp.
I remembered kneeling in the main hall, my back rigid and straight.
I told you it wasnt me! Rhys, everyone can doubt me, but you cant!
Lila stood next to my brother, offering me a small, victorious smirk.
Rage blinded me.
I lunged at her. My family took you in! How dare you!
But before I could touch her, Rhys stepped up, yanked Lila out of the way, and slapped me.
The force of the blow snapped my head back.
In that moment, all sound vanished.
All I could hear was the memory of being eight years old, huddled in my parents funeral home, while a drunken, hateful relative harassed and struck us. Rhys had sheltered me, taking the beating.
Hed smiled through his bruising face and told me: Dont be scared, Iris. With your brother here, no one can lay a finger on you.
That memory shattered, overwritten by the reality before me.
I covered my stinging cheek.
Rhys... I whispered.
His hand froze mid-air. He pursed his lips. Stay there! You will confess in front of the school tomorrow morning!
I wont!
I screamed, my voice raw and trembling through my tears. Lila did this! She set me up!
Rhyss face darkened completely. He walked to the shelf and retrieved a heavy, polished mahogany paddle, a family heirloom used for extreme discipline.
Still lying!
Lila is our sister! Shes so kind, why would she hurt you?
This paddle was passed down from Dad to maintain the honor of the family name. Today, I will educate you in Mom and Dads place!
Crack!
The paddle sliced through the air and slammed into my back. I screamed, a searing fire spreading across my skin. The pain was so intense I collapsed.
Rhys, Lila interjected softly. Stop it. Maybe Anya didnt mean it.
I dug my hands into the carpet, fighting for consciousness, glaring up at Lila.
Bitch!
Smack!
Rhys didnt stop. The next strike was heavier.
Still no remorse!
I writhed on the floor, the sound of leather hitting flesh ringing in my ears, Lilas triumphant eyes mocking me from above.
I dont know how long it lasted. After the air filled with the scent of blood, my eyes rolled back, and I finally lost consciousness.

First, search for and download the MotoNovel app from Google. Then, open the app and use the code "310790" to read the entire book.