It rained lightly on the day of my brother’s funeral, as if even the heavens mourned his untimely death.”
He had no close relatives besides me and our parents. The ceremony was organized by them, with the help of our housekeeper, April.
The memorial hall was quietly elegant, decorated with jade–my brother’s favorite. In the center stood his coffin, crafted from fine rosewood by a master artisan, commissioned by my parents. The wood was engraved with intricate patterns, a final gesture of love and respect.
The atmosphere was dignified yet somber. Most attendees were long–time family friends or wealthy business associates who had worked with my brother. Though they offered condolences, few could understand the depth of our loss.
My parents had spent weeks arranging every detail of the funeral. But when they finally saw the coffin in place, all composure brake. They wept with their faces in their hands–grief that no words could soothe.
Though adopted, my brother was raised by our parents as their own. When I was committed to the hospital after my breakdown, he took over the company without hesitation. He didn’t blame anyone–he just stepped up. Even after the scandal, he bore everything with quiet strength.”
But in the end, the burden was too much. When the debt collectors came, he chose silence–and then, he chose death.”
My parents only learned the truth after he was gone. If he had told them earlier, the problem could have been solved. That regret would haunt them forever. They blamed themselves for not noticing the signs, for not being there when he needed them most.” I blamed myself too–more than anyone else.”
Ever since I left the hospital, the only thing I’d wanted was to apologize. If I hadn’t listened to Cliff and followed his plan to seduce my brother for the sake of some twisted manipulation, none of this would’ve happened. My brother wouldn’t have been subjected to the public shame. His wife wouldn’t have left him. The company wouldn’t have collapsed. He wouldn’t have died. I’destroyed his life.”
And I never even got to say sorry.”
What must he have thought, in those finai moments–bankrupt, disgraced, and alone? Did he hate me?”
The guilt surged like a tidal wave. I stood before his coffin, trembling, tears falling freely. My fingernails dug into my palms, the pain dull compared to the ache in my heart.”
I was so lost in grief that I didn’t notice Cliff arrive.”
He stood at a distance, silently watching me break down. Seeing my devastation, his own eyes reddened, jaw clenched in restraint.” When the guests arrived, the funeral began. Everyone gathered around the coffin, laying white chrysanthemums in front of my brother’s tombstone. The ceremony was quiet and dignified. When it ended, my parents invited the guests into the house for tea and conversation.”
But I couldn’t move.”
I stayed in the rain, alone with my grief, an umbrella shielding me from the downpour but not from the pain.”
He was really gone.”
The pain of separation weighed on my chest like a boulder. I would never see him again. And a part of me wanted to follow him- not out of despair, but because I felt I owed it.
But the one who truly deserved to pay was still alive.
“Vivian.”
I recognized the voice. Cliff.
I didn’t turn around. I stayed still, lost in my thoughts, until he placed a hand gently on my shoulder.”
Without a word, I brushed him off.”
“Mom.”
That childish voice pulled me back. I turned and saw him holding Lindsey in his arms.
I dropped the umbrella and rushed to gently embrace her.
But she pulled away, shrinking back behind him. My arms hung in the air a moment too long, before I let her go. My heart ached, but
I masked it, lifting the umbrella again to hide my expression.
“Ti come visit Lindsey often. You can take her home,” I said softly.}]
Cliff, tried to explain. “She’s just afraid–maybe because this is her first time at a cemetery-”
“No need to explain.” My voice was distant. I turned to leave.
He had brought Lindsey in the hope that I’d soften, that I’d come home with them. Before arriving, he’d told her to remember to call me “Mom.” But she didn’t recognize me–she was even scared of me.
I didn’t want to push her. I walked away quietly.
Cliff watched my retreating figure, knowing that saying more would only make things worse. He turned and left.
3:52 PM ·
Cliff watched my retreating figure, knowing that saying more would only make things worse. He turned and left.”
Inside the house, guests chatted and networked. Most of them weren’t truly mourning–they were here to maintain ties with a powerful family. Business interests disguised as sympathy.”
I politely acknowledged a few greetings, but quickly withdrew to the inner room. I needed a moment to breathe.”
That was when I noticed a large, finely carved box made of mahogany. April saw my gaze and spoke gently.”
“This was found in your brother’s study. Your parents wanted you to have it.”
Drawn by curiosity, I opened the box.
It was filled with my brother’s keepsakes: company documents, jewelry, cherished mementos from his rise in business. At the very bottom, an old iron box stood out–blackened and rusted with time.”
I pried it open.
Inside were one thousand letters. Love letters. All addressed to me.”
The topmost letter was numbered [1000].
Vivian, how are you doing in the hospital? I miss you so much. But I don’t think I can hold on long enough to see you again. Please forgive me for leaving early. Don’t cry because of me…
It was dated the day he died.”
My hands shook. My knees gave out. I collapsed on the floor in a flood of tears.”
Letter after letter, his feelings unfolded before me.”
[879]: I miss you. But I’m too afraid to send this. I’ve always liked you….
[799]: Cliff sent you to a mental hospital, and I did nothing. I hate myself for that. I was afraid of telling you how I felt, afraid you’d hate me. But that hypocrite threw you away like garbage.M
[537]: You got married today. You looked so beautiful. I wish I were the groom. But I’m just your brother.”
[1]: Today is my first day at the Hooper household. Vivian is my sister. She’s so cute. Does she not like me? She won’t even look at
- me.
His love had been there from the beginning–quiet, patient, and buried under the identity forced on him.
I had been blind.
He hadn’t hated me–he had loved me. So deeply, so silently. And when I unknowingly used his feelings in that cruel scheme, he didn’t get angry. He went along with it, just to spare me pain.“}
And now he was gone.
I hugged the letters to my chest like a lifeline, as if by holding them tightly enough, I could feel him again.§
But this grief had a sharp edge.”
Because now I owed him far more than an apology.”
I owed him justice.
I looked at the date on the final letter, and my heart turned to steel.
The one who caused all this would not escape. Cliff would pay for everything.
