Chapter 12
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Charley stared at me in disbelief, like I was turning into someone he no longer recognized.
For a split second, something flickered in his eyes–a strange look. One I hadn’t seen in years. It almost reminded me of the brother who used to care about me.
The way he used to look when I came to him upset, when I was hurt.
That helpless, protective kind of softness.
But that version of Charley was long gone. The man standing in front of me now didn’t care enough to feel sorry for me
anymore.
I watched that brief emotion disappear from his eyes just as quickly as it came. Maybe it was never there at all. Just my imagination.
Then his voice cut through the silence–sharp and cruel. “Kill you?
“Erma, do you think dying will bring Mom and Dad back?
“Someone like you–who got her own parents killed–deserves to live with that pain. Forever.”
It felt like something had been hollowed out of my chest. Even breathing tasted like blood and metal.
It took me a while to steady myself, to swallow it down. Then I gave a small nod.
“Fine. Whatever you say.
“But I’m not going back with you.”
I walked past him and started up the stairs.
Behind me, he stayed quiet for a long time–simmering in his own anger.
Then suddenly, he called out, “Erma.”
It was soft. Out of place. And so startlingly gentle, it made my heart skip a beat.
I hadn’t heard him say my name like that in years.
And after more than twenty years as siblings, I knew him too well.
That tone–it could only mean trouble. A bad feeling twisted in my gut.
I stopped and turned back to face him.
There was a faint, almost smug smile tugging at the corners of his mouth as he asked, “Are you really that sure Mr. Huynh’s going to treat him?”
I frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
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Chapter 12
He looked calm, composed, confident. Like he’d already played out the whole thing in his head. He stepped toward me slowly.
“You probably don’t know this, but Mr. Huynh is known around here as the most devoted son anyone’s ever met.
“His mom’s not doing well lately–her mind’s been slipping. I’ve been keeping her company these past few days.
“If I gently suggest how much she still needs her son, really lean on that….
“Tell me, do you think he’d still leave her alone during the holidays to treat some outsider?”
I stared at him, stunned. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.
All the blood in my body seemed to rush straight to my head.
And before I even realized what I was doing, my hand flew up–and I slapped him. Hard.
Whatever smug, cold words he had lined up next died on his lips.
The mocking smirk he hadn’t even bothered to hide froze right there on his face.
My palm stung with the blow.
He was my brother. We’d argued, shouted, even shoved each other over the years.
But never–not once–had I slapped him in the face.
By the time I realized what I’d done, I wasn’t even sure if I regretted it or not.
All I could feel was that burst of fury, wild and uncontrollable, tearing straight through my self–control.
I glared at him, trembling with anger. “You’ve lost your mind. That’s someone’s life we’re talking about!”
I didn’t want to say another word after that.
He felt like a stranger to me now. Worse–he felt dangerous.
I went upstairs and quietly returned to the bedroom to care for Nolan.
Charley didn’t follow.
After the snowstorm, the weather finally cleared.
By the afternoon, the roads were partially reopened, allowing limited, slow traffic.
Nolan couldn’t afford to wait any longer–we needed to pack and get him out of the country as soon as possible.
Whether or not Charley really would try to sway Marlin’s decision… at this point, it didn’t matter. I’d already done everything I could.
At first, I’d thought maybe I should at least say goodbye to Charley before I left.
But now, that felt pointless.
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He clearly couldn’t stand me. I doubted he’d care I was leaving.
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And considering how irrationally hostile he’d been toward Nolan, the last thing I wanted was for him to know where we were going.
The worst–case scenario? He interfered and jeopardized the transplant.
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So I made up my mind. Once I was sure Nolan was strong enough to get out of bed, I moved quickly.
The next morning, I contacted the owner of a local inn and paid him to arrange a ride for us.
It took almost an hour for the car to arrive.
When I got the call, I helped Nolan downstairs–just as Marlin happened to be sitting in the living room.”
That was when I noticed the suitcase by his side.
As soon as he saw us, he folded up the newspaper and stood. “Let’s go.”
I blinked, surprised. “You’re heading out now too?”
His expression darkened slightly. “Didn’t you ask me to perform the surgery?
“What–changed your mind overnight?”
I was caught off guard–but also overwhelmed with relief. “You… you’re really leaving with us now?”
From what I’d heard, it was rare for him to visit his hometown–maybe once a year, if that.
And this time, he’d barely been back for three days.
Not to mention everything Charley had said yesterday–I’d assumed…
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Marlin’s tone stayed gruff. “What, you seriously thought my old mother would cling to me and beg me to stay?”
I didn’t know what to say.
He said his goodbyes to his mother, gave the caregiver a few last instructions, then turned back to me.
“Let’s go.
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“I wanted to stay a couple more days, but the old lady practically kicked me out–told me to hurry up and take care of you
two.”
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And so we left.
On our way out, I didn’t see any sign of Charley or Elsie.
We got in the car. And just like that–we were gone,
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