Chapter 2

In the hospital, I watched my parents cater to Julian's every whim for days.

My mom cooked gourmet meals and brought them to his bedside every day.

My dad bought him the newest PlayStation as a reward for "being so brave."

During those days, they completely forgot I existed. All their love and attention went to Julian.

My soul felt a cold, bitter ache.

It wasn't until Julian was discharged a week later that my parents finally remembered they had another son.

"Where is Leo? Why isn't he here to pick us up?" My dad grumbled, his face darkening.

"He's probably hiding because he knows he's in trouble for hurting Julian," my mom said with a sigh of disgust.

"Well, we’ve ignored him for a week. He should know his place by now. Call him and tell him to get over here."

Dad pulled out his phone and dialed my number.

But to their surprise, the call went straight to voicemail.

Usually, whenever they called, I would answer within seconds. I was always terrified of missing their calls.

But now, after three consecutive calls, the phone remained dead.

My parents frowned, a slight flicker of unease crossing their faces.

Standing beside them, Julian lowered his head, acting incredibly guilty.

"Is Leo still mad at me? Does he hate me for taking up your time? I’m sorry..."

My dad’s face hardened instantly. He shoved his phone into his pocket and sneered.

"He’s got some nerve. He actually turned his phone off!"

Mom gnashed her teeth in anger.

"That brat! He’s throwing a tantrum because we left him on the mountain. He’s doing this on purpose!"

Dad’s eyes flashed with rage.

"He wants us to worry. He wants us to beg him to come home! I see right through his little games."

Mom scoffed.

"He's getting sneakier. He thinks he can manipulate us now."

She grabbed Julian’s hand and started walking toward the front desk, her voice cold.

"Come on, Julian. Let's ignore him and sign the discharge papers."

"He wants to keep his phone off? Fine. Let's see how long he can last."

I stared at Julian, my ghostly chest tightening with rage. He was still playing them, still driving the wedge deeper.

But my parents always chose to believe him. They always would.

I clutched my chest as a phantom pain washed over me, and I collapsed onto the hospital floor.

While they were signing the papers, my girlfriend, Chloe, burst through the hospital doors, panting and frantic.

She ran up to my parents, her face pale.

"Something happened to Leo!"