Chapter 2
“Lena, we’re here to see you.”
My mother cheerfully pushed open the door.
I stood behind her, and as soon as I looked up, I saw Charles and Selena hugging.
Our six eyes met, and silence was all that remained.
“Mom, Dad.” Charles gently pushed Selena away and greeted my parents.
“Charles, thank you for taking care of Lena all night,” my mother came up to greet Charles like it was nothing, completely ignoring the fact that Charles and Selena were now brother–in–law
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Chapter 2
45 Points
C
and sister–in–law.
“You’re welcome, it’s what I should do.”
“Dad, Mom,” Selena opened sweetly her arms to the parents, and the three of them embraced, all smiles and happiness.
I quietly stood at the door, pretending I didn’t see any of this.
“Lena was emotionally unstable; I was just comforting her. Don’t overthink it,” Charles whispered as he walked over to me.
I turned to look at him, saying nothing.
The awkwardness on Charles’s face slowly turned to anger. “I’m a doctor, and Lena is a patient. We’re just in a normal doctor–patient
2/10
Chapter 2
+ 5 Points
C
relationship. Don’t let your mind run wild.”
I sneered.
Would a normal doctor–patient relationship
involve such intimate terms of endearment?
“I never said you have something inappropriate going on. Why are you so defensive? Dr. Adams, do you remember you’re married? Do you “interact” like this with all your patients?”
If Charles openly admitted that Selena held a special place in his heart, I might feel better about it–after all, Selena was his unattainable love, and he married me because of her.
Because Selena and I were sisters, he wanted to use me to provoke her.
3/10
Chapter 2
+5 Points
C
But instead, he insists on these plausibly denials, making me feel like a fool who only could be deceived by them.
Selena’s voice interrupted my thoughts.
“But I’m afraid the sister won’t agree,” Selena said weakly, her head lowered.
What trick was she trying to pull now?
The mother’s face darkened. “Don’t be afraid. In this house, what I say goes.”
I quickly learned what their plan was.
They wanted me to pay for Selena’s treatment.
“Lena, you’re still young. You“ll get better. Just focus on your recovery, and Morita will figure
4/10
Chapter 2
+ 5 Points
out the money,” the mother gently reassured
Selena.
“Thank you, Mom, you’re so kind,” Selena smiled as she threw herself into my mother’s arms, painting a picture of maternal love and filial piety.
I laughed.
All these years, the three of them have been leeching off me. I won’t even mention my parents–disgusted with the old house, they wanted to buy a new one. They expected me to pay the down payment and the mortgage, yet they didn’t even leave me a room.
Selena, who supposedly worked as an artist abroad, had actually been living off my money, and now they wanted me to pay for her
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Chapter 2
treatment too.
+ 5 Points
C
They really thought I was a workhorse to be exploited.
“I have no money,” I said. All four of them turned to look at me.
“I’m already paying the mortgages on two houses, plus your living expenses. Where would I find any extra money?”
Besides the house my parents lived in, I also paid for the home Charles and I lived in.
Charles knew this very well.
“Then go get a loan,” my mother said matter–of–factly. “You’ve been working for years, you should be able to borrow a decent
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Chapter 2
amount.”
I laughed. “Isn’t Selena an artist? Her paintings should be worth a lot. She can sell them to pay for her treatment.”
Selena frowned and replied softly, “sister, how can you say that? Those are priceless works of art–they can’t be tainted by money.”
If she despised money so much, why did she kept asking me for it? Hypocrite!
“I’m not taking out a loan.” I flatly refused my mother’s request.
“You ungrateful brat!” My mother suddenly rushed up, slapped me hard across the face, and grabbed my hair, shouting, “You heartless ingrate, selfish and ungrateful. Lena is your
7/10
Chapter 2TM–
5 Points
sister, and you’re just going to let her suffer?”
I grabbed her hand and pushed her away, sneering, “If you can’t afford it, you shouldn’t have had children. Selena is your daughter, not mine. If you have the guts, pay for her treatment yourself. I won’t give a single cent.”
“Morita, you’re so heartless,” Charlesaccused me with a cold expression. “How could you lay a hand on Mom? Apologize to her right now.”
My mother looked at me smugly.
My father sat in his chair, indifferent, while Selena looked at me with a mix of pity and provocation.
I pushed aside my disheveled hair, my right cheek burning with pain–I didn’t need a mirror
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C
to know it was swollen.
I stared coldly at Charles. “I won’t apologize, and I won’t give any money.”
Guilt briefly flashed across Charles’s face.
“It’s all my fault. I’m the one who dragged you all into this,” Selena cried, tumbling off the bed and pulling the IV stand down with her.
“Lena!” the mother ran over to hug Selena, with Charles and my father following close behind.
Charles lifted Selena back onto the bed, and the
three of them gathered around to comfort her.
I looked away and turned to leave.
There was no point in fighting for something
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that was never meant to be mine.
+ 5 Points
C
