18
I was hospitalized.
Every day, I received IV fluids and took painkillers.
This life was better than the last; at least I had a hospital bed to die in.
My third brother, Liam, came every day.
He said Mother went on a pilgrimage, kneeling for ninety–nine painful steps up a steep path, praying for me.
Begging heaven not to take me.
He said Jessica had been kicked out of the Richard family.
Richard hadn’t given her a single penny.
He said Second Brother found the bracelet I made for him,
He wore it every day.
He also said Eldest Brother prepared many gifts for me, and a new room.
I could move in once I got better.
I told the girl all of this, one
by one
I told the girl all of this, one by one.
I wanted to awaken her consciousness.
But the girl’s spirit remained silent.
As Liam left, he asked, “Elara, can you call me Third Brother one more time?”
I turned my head, looking out the window,
Liam gave a bitter laugh. “Rest well. Third Brother will come see you again tomorrow.
The next day, Eleanor came, limping, supported by Liam.
She looked at the girl’s emaciated body, her face, so similar to Eleanor’s own,
was deathly pale.
Eleanor’s tears flowed uncontrollably.
Only at this moment did she truly look at the daughter she had carried for nine months.
She was so much like her.
Her own flesh and blood.
“Elara, can you forgive Mama?”
“Mama begged heaven, begged you to stay by Mama’s side.”
vet, you can’t leave Mama!”
“Mama hasn’t had a chance to properly love you yet, you
So noisy…
I turned to Jax and said, “I want to rest now.”
Jax immediately ushered them out.
“Can you eat something before you sleep? You haven’t been eating properly lately, have you?”
I closed my eyes, thinking of the past.
“I want curry fish balls. Can you get them for me?”
Jax’s face lit up with surprise. This was the first time the girl had said she wanted to eat something.
Curry fish balls were something I couldn’t eat at the orphanage.
Even if they made it onto my tray, someone else would snatch them away.
Later, I escaped the orphanage and scavenged for a while.
Curry fish balls often appeared in takeout containers
Even later, when I turned sixteen, I could work in a restaurant.
The best–selling item at that restaurant was curry fish balls, and I often managed to sneak bites.
Those were the happiest days….
But after just one year, I lost my appetite; I no longer wanted to eat anything
My first meal at the Richards‘ was curry fish balls.
I couldn’t wait to taste them again.
10:42 AM c
<
But they had no artificial flavors, no sweet chili sauce or ketchup.
Nothing was familiar anymore.
