Chapter 3 Just One Happy Day

I held a hand against my burning cheek and said nothing.

It felt like a sharp hole had been ripped open in my chest, and every breath rubbed against the sore edges, making the pain worse.

I thought, 'So, that's how you see me, Mom—a burden who only takes and never gives back. But don't worry. You won't have to deal with me much longer. Please take care of yourself when I'm gone.'

Samuel gave an awkward smile, trying to ease the tension. "Mrs. Fox, why don't you leave the test results with me? I'll go through them."

With him watching, my mom held back her anger. She took my hand and helped me outside, steadying me as I got on the back of her scooter.

I leaned against her back, and for the first time in ages, I felt safe.

"Your dad and I talked it over," she said as we rode. "Javion may not be able to attend Trinity, but we're still going to throw him a dinner to celebrate his acceptance. Everyone should know the Fox family has a genius."

Her voice glowed with pride whenever she mentioned Javion. Yet, when she turned to me, all that warmth vanished.

"Your brother is giving you one of his kidneys, Louis. I'm begging you. Please behave for once. Don't cause any more problems."

A dull ache crept through my lower back. I blinked back my tears and forced a smile. "Okay, Mom. I won't."

...

We pulled up outside a hotel, and my mom continued talking as she parked the scooter.

"The food they're serving today is too greasy for you, so don't touch any of it. I made you some boiled cabbage instead."

She took an insulated food container from the scooter's basket and headed inside.

By then, the pain in my back was so strong I could barely stand up. Still, tonight was for Javion, and I was truly happy for him. I refused to let my illness spoil the family celebration again.

When I finally got off the scooter, my mom was already out of sight.

A young hotel worker saw me struggling and quickly came over. "Hey, are you okay? Where is your family? You look very pale. Should I call an ambulance?"

I shook my head quickly. My parents were inside, wrapped up in Javion's celebration, and the last thing I wanted was to pull their attention back to me.

I asked, "Where is the celebration dinner for Javion Fox being held?"

"The Ambroise Banquet Room," she replied.

I gritted my teeth and forced myself to stand upright. "Thank you."

I didn't want to trouble anyone else, especially knowing how little time I had left.

Leaning against the wall for support, I slowly walked toward the Ambroise Banquet Room.

…

Inside, my family and relatives sat around a large table, laughing and chatting over dinner. Everyone seemed so happy.

One of our relatives raised his glass. "Who would've thought we'd have someone in the family get into a university like Trinity? The Fox family really hit the jackpot!"

My dad had already had a few drinks, and for once, he looked genuinely happy.

"Javion's never given us a moment of trouble," he said proudly. "Straight A's, top of his class, and when it comes to sports, nobody can beat him."

My dad didn't know much about basketball, but he always remembered how proud he felt when Javion's coaches came to our house to say how talented his son was.

My mom was beaming too. She kept piling food onto Javion's plate, smiling so much that her cheeks must have hurt.

I stayed just outside the doorway, watching them enjoy their happiness. Then, gathering my courage, I slowly opened the door.

"Mom? Dad?"

The instant they noticed me, their smiles faded.

Javion's eyes immediately filled with tears.

"Because of you, I can't even go to Trinity anymore!" he snapped. "Mom and Dad just wanted to treat me to one nice dinner. Why do you have to come here and ruin that too?"

The relatives exchanged awkward glances before one of them finally spoke up.

"Wait, you're really making Javion give up his future to save his brother?"

"It's Trinity we're talking about! They only accept ten students into their program every year. You can't just throw away an opportunity like that!"

My mom forced a strained smile. "Well, Louis is our son too. We can't just abandon him."

I stood frozen in the doorway, unsure what to do.

I hadn't come here to spoil anything. I hadn't even said anything wrong. Somehow, just being here was enough to upset Javion.

He pushed past me and stormed out.

"What are you even doing here?" Demi snapped, glaring at me. "Why couldn't you just stay home?"

Without waiting for an answer, she hurried after him.

My mom stomped her foot in frustration. "I knew I shouldn't have brought him. I should've just sent him home."

She looked around the room, regret on her face. "All we wanted was one nice dinner for Javion..."

My dad awkwardly raised his glass, trying to salvage what was left of the celebration. "Come on, everyone. Let's eat."

But the mood was already ruined. Relatives traded uneasy glances, muttered excuses, and slipped away one after another.

Within minutes, the once lively ballroom fell silent, leaving only a table littered with half-eaten dishes.

For a split second, I caught a flash of hatred in my mom's eyes. It disappeared as quickly as it came, and she turned her back to me.

She opened the insulated container she'd brought from home and spooned some plain boiled cabbage into a bowl.

"You're not feeling well. Here, have something to eat. I'm going to look for your brother and calm him down. He'll be fine once I've talked to him. We can't let him change his mind about the surgery."

With that, my parents left together, leaving me alone in the empty ballroom.