Chapter 27
Time flies, and those living in this world must continue their lives. After I was gone, it seemed my absence hardly affected my parents‘ daily routine. They still went to work on time, and everything remained the same.
That day, Mom went to the office as usual. Shortly after arriving at the law firm, she received a call from the school administration. They informed her that Dad had been surrounded by a crowd outside the school. During the scuffle, someone struck him, causing him to collapse.
Mom could hardly believe it. “Do you know who did it? He gets along well with everyone; he hasn’t had any enemies.”
True, Dad had a good reputation outside, always kind to others, yet he was harshest with his own daughter.
The school official paused before responding. “I’ve heard it was some online users, after seeing certain videos.”
For the first time, panic crossed Mom’s usually composed face. She hung up the phone and immediately searched the internet. My brother’s video, where he named me and reported the abuse, quickly went viral.
In the footage, he displayed my bottle of antidepressants, my severance letter, and my bank book. He exposed the truth of my violation, our parents‘ concealment, and the five years of mental torment I endured.
Mom rushed to the hospital. My brother sat by Dad’s bedside, his expression vacant and emotionless. In a fit of anger, Mom slapped him hard across the face. His handsome features immediately flushed red.
“That day, you really went to find Lydia, didn’t you?”
“You only remember her as your sister, but we are your biological parents too, you ungrateful child!” Mom cried, pounding her fists on my brother’s chest. “We raised for so long–everything we did was for your you sake! You didn’t even finish college because of her”
“You’re so smart, and she ruined you.”
My brother grinned, “Isn’t that what you taught me? How can we find peace knowing our sister died so tragically?”
He was about to say more when the doctor entered, a look of regret on his face. “I’m sorry, but we found brain cancer in your father.”
Mom’s face turned pale at the news. She turned to my brother, “Are you satisfied now?”
He sniffled, his voice hoarse. “Have you considered that this might be karma?”
He pulled out my red diary from his backpack and threw it at Mom. “She begged for your help countless times, but you turned a blind eye.”
“Do you really believe that bastard killed her…?”
My brother choked up but managed to hold back his tears. “You are terrifying–not only do you lack remorse, but you also claim this is for my own good.”
“Don’t worry; I’ve learned from my sister’s experience. I won’t feel guilty or let you control me.”Material © NôvelDrama.Org.
“I will live well for her.”
With that, he turned and walked out.
Mom broke down, shouting, “Lucas, where are you going? Come back!” She stumbled after him.
“Mom needs you, Lukie.”
Tears streamed down her face, the once–sharp Mrs. Brown now as helpless as I once was. She pleaded for my brother to turn back and look at her, fearing he wouldn’t never return this time.
“Lucas, I’m begging you.”
She fell heavily to the ground, murmuring, “But your dad and I truly love you.”
My brother’s figure faded into the distance at the end of the hallway.