Chapter 11
With an IQ over 150, he really shouldn’t be this gullible.
Sometimes, I couldn’t tell if he genuinely didn’t get it or if he just chose not to.
He saw it all happen, right there in front of everyone.
My blood stained my sleeves, soaked through the front of my shirt, and even seeped into the
e carpet.
www
I turned to him with a sidelong smile and asked, “So, what do you think is wrong with me?”
Elbert avoided my gaze, staring straight into the darkness ahead. “Who knows?” he muttered.
“That’s why you need another checkup at the hospital. No illness is a big deal–just follow the doctor’s advice.”
I nodded. “Alright, we’ll go to the hospital another day.”
Elbert suddenly grew unusually insistent. He stated flatly, “Tomorrow.”
I reminded him, “But don’t you have to accompany Elaine back to the hospital tomorrow?”
Elbert said in a low, resolute voice, leaving no room for argument, “It won’t be a problem.”
Unhappily, I said, “But I don’t like her. I don’t want to be around her.”
I knew Elaine would take my place by Elbert’s side after I died. now,
Truth was, having my own brother stolen away did bother me.
These last days, I couldn’t stand watching their perfect sibling act.
So what if I said I hated her? I’d be dead soon anyway.
“Tomorrow it is. That’s not up for discussion,” Elbert stated firmly.
I sighed, thinking he was getting more and more domineering.
I was still here.
I stayed out on the terrace for a long time, and Elbert remained with me the whole while.
It had been ages since we’d been alone together like this, so I couldn’t
thelp.
His responses were lukewarm, though he did occasionally grunt a word or two.
The clock was about to strike midnight.
out my thoughts to him.
I guessed this was probably my last birthday. Even though I knew it was kind of awkward to bring it up.
I still couldn’t hold back and softly reminded him, “Hey, it’s
s my birthday toda
Elbert was sprawled out on the lounge chair, eyes closed, looking like he was about to drift off.
At my words, his eyes flew open.
He stared at me blankly for a long moment before it finally clicked, “Oh. Right.”
I pressed my lips together, feeling a pang of disappointment.
Probably feeling a bit guilty, he softened his tone uncharacteristically, “I did prepare a gift for you.
“But I left it at the office. We’ll celebrate properly another day, and I’ll give it to
you
then.”
why
Honestly, it wouldn’t matter if he just admitted he forgot or didn’t get me anything. After all, I knew he was busy.
I nodded with a smile. “Alright.”
The soup could wait, the hospital could wait, and the gift could wait.
He must think we have an endless string of tomorrows.
After saying this, Elbert drifted off to sleep almost immediately.
I tilted my head, watching as he lay sound asleep.
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8:15
Chapter 11
I called his name softly twice, but got no response.
Under the dim moonlight, I carefully rose and made my way to his side.
Suddenly, I remembered that day in the restaurant corridor when I had a nosebleed.
I turned and rushed toward Elbert, not really knowing what I wanted to do or say at the time.
Now it suddenly dawned on me.
Back then, all I wanted was to hug him like I did when we were little and call him “big brother” again.
Shouldn’t a dying person’s last wish be granted?
So, under the cover of night, I leaned down and, while he was sound asleep, carefully gave him a gentle, fleeting embrace.
Afraid to wake him, I whispered, barely above a breath, “Big brother.”
He was out like a light–guess he was just worn out from these past few years of overwork. Once he was asleep, it was almost impossible to wake
him up.
Softly, I whispered, “I’m really mad at you for wrongly accusing me.
“When I meet Mom and Dad on the other side, I’m definitely going to tell on you.
“But if there’s another chance, I guess I’d still grudgingly choose to be your little sister again.”
Well… this was my way of saying goodbye.
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