Chapter 4

Everything after that was a nightmare.

The family doctor arrived quickly and pumped Ethan's stomach.

"He's out of danger, but he's unconscious and needs rest."

My legs were shaking. All I wanted was to step closer and see if Ethan was okay.

But the moment I took a step forward, Chloe spun around and shoved me back violently!

I crashed against the wall, a sharp pain radiating through my spine.

Her eyes were red. Her usual elegance was replaced by raw fury and disappointment as she screamed at me:

"Brandon! How could you be so cruel?"

Her hand shook as she pointed at me.

"I just checked the kitchen security footage. You dropped a white pill into the pot! Why would you try to poison him?"

"No... it wasn't... I..."

I wanted to explain that it was an accident, but my throat was tight, and I didn't know where to start.

My stuttering, however, looked like a confession to Chloe.

"Who else could it be? I saw it with my own eyes! Ethan has been so good to you. Do you even have a heart? “

“If it weren't for him begging your parents, you'd still be rotting in some trailer park! Why would you hurt him?"

Chloe stepped closer, her voice dropping to a harsh whisper.

"Last night... by the window... you saw us, didn't you?"

"It was my fault! I couldn't control myself. If you want to hate someone, hate me! Ethan has only ever loved you as a brother. He’s always protected you!"

"You wanted to ruin our happiness, and now you want to take his life too?"

I had no way to defend myself. I pulled out my pill bottle to show her.

"No! Chloe, let me explain..."

But my mother rushed over and knocked the bottle out of my hand. She pointed at my face and screamed, "Explain? What is there to explain!"

"Get out! Get out of my house! The Vance family does not have a monster like you for a son! If anything happens to Ethan, I will destroy you!"

My father also shoved me toward the door with a cold, disgusted face.

"Get out! We don't ever want to see you again!"

I was pushed out into the freezing, pouring rain. I looked back at the utter coldness in Chloe’s eyes, the hatred on my parents’ faces, and Ethan lying unconscious on the bed.

I turned and stumbled away from the "home" that had never truly accepted me.

The rain was heavy.

I walked aimlessly along the street, completely soaked.

The phone in my pocket buzzed relentlessly, over and over.

I pulled it out with numb fingers. It was Harper.

How annoying.

Was she calling to mock me too?

With the last of my strength, I threw the phone into the bushes.

The world finally went quiet.

I didn't know how long I had been walking when an umbrella suddenly appeared over my head, blocking the torrential rain.

I slowly looked up.

Through the sheet of rain, I saw Harper. Her hair and jacket were soaked.

And to my shock, she was crying.

"Brandon! If I hadn't looked into it, how long were you going to hide this?"

"You're sick... you're so sick! Why aren't you getting treatment? Walking in this rain, do you want to die?!"

I stared at her, wanting to reply.

It's not that I don't want treatment. It's just that I can't be saved.

But the moment I opened my mouth—

Cough!

A huge amount of dark blood erupted from my lips.

My vision went pitch black, and my body collapsed forward.

"Brandon!"

Terrified, Harper dropped the umbrella and caught me in her arms, holding me tightly against her chest.

"What's wrong? Don't scare me! Wake up! I'm taking you to the hospital!"

"Brandon, don't sleep!"

But I could no longer speak.

The world was spinning. All I could see was Ethan collapsing on the floor.

I deserved this.

"I'm sorry... I'm sorry..." I whispered weakly.

Blood kept pouring from my mouth, staining her clothes.

Suddenly, I began to regret coming back to the Vance family.

I never learned their sophisticated manners, their fake small talk, and I could never get used to their fancy meals.

Even after escaping that poor rural town, I was still just an unwanted, dirty kid.

Ethan, I'm sorry.

Harper didn't even have time to carry me to her car. She could only hold me as my breathing grew weaker, and the freezing rain washed away my remaining warmth.

When my faint whispers finally stopped, she froze. She pressed her cheek against my neck.

As if realizing something, her voice trembled.

"Brandon?"

The boy in her arms did not answer. He was no longer breathing.