Chapter 6
I was a bit surprised to see Elbert here.
My mind was a mess, so I just muttered, “It’s okay, I guess.”
Actually, I never meant to upset him again.
But to him, it must have sounded like I was trying to provoke
him.
His expression grew even colder. “Then go ahead and enjoy your life out there.
TIPA
With that, he turned and walked away without another word.
Somehow, I found myself terribly missing the home–cooked dishes and soup Elbert used to make for me lately.
Before I could stop myself, I called after his retreating figure, “Can’t you make me some soup?”
Elbert turned around impatiently, shot me a cold look, and snapped, “Want soup? Make it yourself!”
With a helpless, shrug, I said, “It’s not like I know how to make it, you
I was seventeen this year.
But cooking? I was completely clueless.
know?”
Elbert always used to say to me, “Just focus on your studies. Cooking can wait–there’ll be plenty of time to learn it later.”
All of a sudden, I felt a pang of regret–I should have learned some of his cooking skills earlier.
Elbert snorted coldly, as if reading my thoughts. “Don’t know how? Then go learn,” he snapped.
I opened my mouth, wanting to say it was probably too late to learn now.
But those were words I couldn’t voice.
After a moment’s hesitation, I closed my mouth.
Well, whatever.
I must look truly pathetic right now.
Elbert didn’t linger. With a stony face, he walked
away without
a
backward glance.
As I was about to leave, Marshall suddenly popped
up behind me.
His eyes darting away nervously, Marshall asked me with concern, “Why did you sneak out of the hospital?”
“Discharged,” I said flatly.
He seemed to want to say more, but after meeting my indifferent gaze, he hesitated for a long moment before finally speaking up.
“Look, believe it or not, I had no idea beforehand about that card my dad slipped into your bag.”
“It’s all in the past,” I replied flatly.
The truth didn’t matter to me anymore.
I left with my belongings, each step feeling heavier than the last.
At the end of the hallway, I thought I caught a glimpse of
Great, my hallucinations must be getting worse–he clearly left a while ago.
+13
That night, I found a random place to stay. Late at night, as I
was
rolling up my sleeve to practice giving myself an injection, Elbert suddenly called.
He brought up the family portrait.
When he found out I took it, his voice turned icy.
He said, “Mom and Dad doted on you when they were alive.
“With how you’ve been acting lately, do you even deserve to keep their photo?”
1/2
8:14 PM
Chapter 6
In the past, I would’ve been furious—probably would’ve ended up in a huge fight with him.
He kept condemning my actions, but what real evidence did he have?
Just because someone slipped a card into my bag, did that mean he got to decide I was the villain here?
We shared seventeen years of siblinghood–even at my most spoiled and willful, had I ever lost my sense of right and wrong like that?
But now, after a long silence, I replied calmly, “Then I’ll have the housekeeper pick it up tomorrow.”
Elbert’s voice turned even icier. “That housekeeper is on my payroll, not at your beck and call.”
Trying my best to keep my emotions in check, I asked, “So what do you want?”
aal-
Elbert’s voice turned icy. “I have a business lunch tomorrow at noon. Deliver the photo yourself.”
He hung up before I could even reply.
HE
Moments later, Elbert texted me the address of a restaurant.
The next day, I took a taxi there.
To my surprise, apart from Elbert, the private dining room was filled with none other than the Longs.
And seated next to Marshall was an unfamiliar young woman I’d never seen before.
I knew Elbert all too well.
It only took me a glance to figure out why he called me here.
AV
A
Ca
He still thought I was head over heels for Marshall—that I’d go so far as to sever our sibling ties and move out of the house just for him.
T
M
4
w
A
