Chapter 3: Escape

’Did I get isekai’d? Am I going to get superpowers? Hehe...’ Standing in front of the mirror, Betty was grinning like a fool. But in the next second, her expression twisted into a scowl. ’Tch. I bet I won’t even get cool powers like the male leads do. I just know they’ll give me some half-baked ability... typical FL treatment.’ Sighing, she walked back to the bed and plopped down, wincing slightly. "Ah... ah..."(Well, I guess I can’t complain. At least I might get powers, right?) She glanced around the room. The furniture looked surprisingly clean and modern. Blinking, she rolled onto her back and stared at the ceiling. "Ah... ah..."(Wait... this furniture... it looks too normal. Don’t tell me I got thrown into some slice-of-life world?) With a frustrated groan, she closed her eyes. ...But then her eyes snapped open. Pain shot through her body as she jolted up, but she ignored it and rushed back to the mirror, squinting at the unfamiliar reflection. Her jaw dropped. ’Eh? Isn’t this the woman on the cover of that novel I just read? No way... don’t tell me... I became that unlucky FL?!’ Suddenly, a tug on her leg sent a jolt of electricity up her spine, making her jump in shock. (Wah! Who touched me?) Heart racing, she looked around the room—but there was no one in sight.Then, another tug—gentler this time—made her gulp. Her body began to tremble. ’D-Don’t tell me... did I attract a ghost? Gulp.’ "Mommy, look down." A small voice echoed softly through the room. She stiffened. Slowly, she lowered her gaze—and froze. A tiny girl stood there, barely reaching her thign, with round cheeks, pitch-black eyes, and messy dark hair. Betty instinctively slapped a hand over her mouth to stop herself from squealing. ’Aaaahhh! She’s so cute! I want to pinch her little chin—’Her eyes widened.’Wait. What did she just call me?’ Betty slowly lowered herself to the floor, staring at the little girl who was now smiling sweetly up at her. Two wide black eyes blinked at her with innocent curiosity. "Ah... ah... ah!"(I’m not your mommy... Wait, she can’t understand me, can she?) Betty shook her head, realizing the words were pointless. The little girl simply looked up and raised her tiny hand. Betty’s eyes lit up when she saw the child holding a book and pencil. Without hesitation, she took them and quickly scribbled something down, then turned the page toward the girl. But the child didn’t respond. After a moment of silence, Betty frowned. She looked at the girl again—and her lips twitched awkwardly when she saw tears silently sliding down the little girl’s cheeks. ’Huh? Why is she crying? I just told the truth... I’m not her mother.’ Suddenly, the girl snatched the notebook from her hands and began flipping through the pages angrily, her teary eyes blazing and her little chin puffed out in defiance. After a few tense moments, she stopped, then pointed at a specific page and shoved the notebook back into Betty’s hands. (What’s she trying to say now?) Betty scanned the page. Her eyes flicked from the words to the girl... then back to the page. Her brows furrowed. ’Did the original body’s owner... promise to treat her like a daughter? Seriously?’ Sighing, she picked up the pencil again and scribbled quickly: {So... you don’t have a mother, right?} The little girl simply tilted her head and pointed her tiny finger at Betty. Betty stared. Her lips twitched slightly. ’So yeah... she doesn’t have a mom. Guess I have to take responsibility now.’ Suddenly, heavy footsteps echoed from the hallway. Betty flinched, her body tensing instinctively. But before she could move, the little girl let out a tiny gasp and dove under the bed like a startled kitten. Betty almost laughed. ’Smart kid.’ She stood up, rolling her shoulders and cracking her fingers one by one. ’Alright... guess it’s time to show off my karate skills.’ She calmly stepped forward and stood beside the door, back flat against the wall, eyes narrowed in focus. "Click." The door creaked open—and in walked the fat man. "Huh? Where did that damn bitch go?" he grumbled, stepping inside and glancing around. That was his first and last mistake. "AGHHHHH!!" His eyes bulged as he suddenly collapsed, clutching his crotch, face smacking the ground with a sickening thud. Foam began to drip from his mouth as he twitched on the floor. Behind him, Betty stood tall, one leg still raised from the finishing blow, a wild grin on her face. ’Behold my karate skills. No man stands a chance against me.’ Betty quickly rushed forward and scooped the little girl into her arms. The child stared up at her, wide-eyed and stunned—clearly shocked after witnessing her "mother" deliver her first knockout blow. Without wasting a second, Betty crept out of the room, body tense and senses sharp. She knew the second man could still be lurking nearby. But as she entered the living room, her shoulders loosened with relief. The second man was slumped over on the sofa, snoring heavily. Empty alcohol bottles littered the floor around him. ’Thank God... looks like I won’t have to destroy the second generation today.’ Without hesitating, she darted toward the front door. Fumbling only slightly, she unlocked it and pulled it open with a quiet creak. The night air hit her face as she stepped onto the iron staircase. Carefully holding the girl close, Betty began to descend the cold, rattling steps, heart pounding with each one. Freedom was just a few steps away.