Chapter 2

Mom raced all the way to the hospital and took Andrew to the emergency room. It wasn't until the doctor told her Andrew had only sprained his wrist and was otherwise fine that she finally breathed a sigh of relief.

My father, Gerard Midler, rushed in at that moment, panting and anxious. "How's Andy? Is his wrist alright? Any broken bones?"

Mom looked relieved. "The doctor said it's just a sprain. Thankfully, nothing's broken. This is all Frank's fault. He couldn't even protect his brother. It's such a waste raising him."

Her tone turned sharp the moment she mentioned me, as if she wished to tear me apart.

Protect your brother—that was a line I'd heard countless times growing up. But I was only one year older than him. I was just as much a child as he was!

Besides, Andrew had always taken advantage of our parents' favoritism to push me around. Since when did he ever need my protection?

Dad frowned and cursed angrily, "That useless brat! Even a dog knows to protect its owner! We fed him, clothed him, and he couldn't even keep Andy safe!"

An indescribable bitterness filled my heart. I had known he would scold me after seeing Andrew hurt, but I never imagined that I was worth less than a dog to him.

Andrew looked at our parents and put on a sensible act. "Mom, Dad, let's not blame Frank anymore. He's still down at the bottom of the cliff. Let's go bring him back."

Mom hugged Andrew, beaming with pride. "Andy, you're just too kind. This time, we have to make sure your brother learns his lesson."

Dad chimed in beside her, "That's right! We need to teach that good-for-nothing a proper lesson!"

Andrew, however, hesitated, as if he had something to say, but dared not voice out.

My parents couldn't bear to see him like that, so they immediately pressed, "Sweetie, is there something you want to tell us? Don't be scared. Just say it. Whatever it is, we'll always be on your side!"

Tears welled up in Andrew's eyes, and he looked utterly wronged. "Mom, why does Frank dislike me so much? If I hadn't dodged in time, I would be the one lying at the bottom of that cliff right now."

The moment they heard that, my parents exploded in fury.

Mom had a murderous look in her eyes. "That beast! To think that he had the nerve to ask me to save him! He deserves to die down there!"

Dad squeezed the cup in his hand so hard it deformed. "He's practically a murderer! I'm going to file a report on him. Someone like him belongs in prison!"

Since we were young, Andrew had always loved blaming me for all sorts of things, and our parents had always taken his side without question. No matter how many times I cried and explained that I hadn't done them, they would still give me a good whipping.

And even in a life-or-death matter like this, they chose to believe Andrew's words without hesitation.

Had Mom forgotten that the person lying at the bottom of the cliff right now was me? If I had wanted to hurt Andrew, why would I have risked myself?

As for Dad, he looked as if he wanted nothing more than to throw me in jail, as though I were nothing but a stain on his life.

Was I truly that despicable to them?

Andrew hung his head, his voice low as he said, "Mom, Dad, I don't blame Frank. He just wants your love, too."

I knew that expression of his all too well. Growing up, Andrew had repeatedly used this very trick to test his place in our parents' hearts. Without fail, he won every time.

All I ever received was contempt, as though I was nothing but a parasite in this family, something they couldn't wait to get rid of.

Mom's expression was one of disdain. "As if he deserves it! He's stirred up trouble since he was little. He should be grateful we even raised him!"

Dad patted Andrew on the head, his expression gentle. "Andy, you're the only one we consider a good son, and you're the only one who deserves our love. Everything that's ours will be yours."

A genuine smile finally graced Andrew's lips. He wrapped his arms around Mom and Dad and said sweetly, "Mom, Dad, I love you both the most."

Even though I had heard similar words a thousand times before, my heart still twisted with pain.

I watched as the three of them clung tightly to each other, leaving no space between them. The image was a perfect portrayal of this family. There had never been a place for me.