Chapter 2

My mother jumped into the fray, her voice dripping with mockery. "She's only seven, and she's already brought ruin to this family. If she grows up, will her father and I even survive?"

She glared at me with pure loathing. "She is a disaster star. A curse incarnate. She specializes in destroying lives."

Her sharp gaze swung to the neighbor. "Zachary Logan, since you want to defend her so badly—fine. Her grandmother is dead. You take Naomi Pope. You raise her."

Zachary choked on his words.

Before he could respond, his daughter stepped forward, finger jabbing toward my mother. "Zhang Cuicui, what is wrong with you? Everyone in the village knows you call Naomi a jinx. And you expect my dad to raise her? Why?"

She didn't back down. "This is *your* daughter. Maybe you and your husband did something evil in a past life, and she's your retribution. Who can say?"

That hit a nerve.

My mother hated nothing more than being told I was her karma. Her face twisted in fury as she lunged forward, claws out. "You little brat! You're mocking me? Your father started running his mouth first! It's easy to talk when it's not your life being ruined!"

"I think you just came here to laugh at us! I'll tear that mouth off your face!"

She moved to strike, but my father snatched a porcelain bowl and smashed it against the floor.

*Crash!*

"Enough!" His bellow shook the walls. "Why are you making a scene? My mother is dead! If you want to fight, get the hell out!"

The room fell into resentful silence.

The bowl had shattered at my feet. A jagged shard ricocheted upward, slicing a gash across my cheek. Warm blood trickled down my face instantly.

I clamped a hand over the wound, staring at my father's ashen face. Too terrified to make a sound.

"What are you standing there for?" He snapped his gaze to me. "You cursed your grandmother to death. Get out of my sight!"

He grabbed the nearest object—the pink schoolbag—and hurled it at me. It hit my chest with a dull thud.

Tears mingled with blood as I clutched the bag. I shrank back, retreating out of the main hall.

Looking down at the crimson stains on the pink fabric, my throat tightened until I couldn't breathe.

*Actually, just this morning...*

Grandma had taken me to my parents' house. She told them I was old enough for school and asked Dad to buy me supplies.

Dad looked at me with disgust as I hid behind Grandma's legs. "What school does a jinx go to? She can stay home, cut grass, and feed the cows. Keep that unlucky thing away from me."

Grandma turned to Mom. Mom grabbed a broom and swept the dust toward Grandma's feet. "Go, go! Don't bring your bad luck to my doorstep. If her father won't buy it, why should I? Hurry up and take the jinx away."

Grandma had sighed. Defeated. She led me back to our small shack.

She held my hand, her voice gentle. "Naomi, wait at home. Grandma will go to town and get you that bag."

A smile crinkled her eyes. "And I'll buy you a lollipop. Strawberry flavor. Your favorite."

I had nodded, beaming. "Thank you, Grandma."

She hunched her back and began the slow walk toward town. I grabbed my basket and climbed the mountain to cut grass for the pigs, wanting to let her rest when she returned.

I never imagined that by the time I came back, Grandma would never open her eyes again.

Now, standing by the well, tears streamed down my face. I unzipped the bloody bag. Nestled in the corner was a strawberry lollipop.

I carefully placed the candy in my pocket. Then I took the bag to the well.

*Grandma bought this for me. I have to wash it. If it's clean, Grandma will be happy.*

I submerged the bag in the basin and began to scrub.