100. Truth and Blood

Josh knew, even before his car pulled into the driveway of his family's large house, that a nightmare awaited him. The call from his mother while he was still on the road earlier, after dropping Sharon off at home following her hospital visit to check her wound—brief, cold, and to the point—was enough to signal the imminent collapse of his life. “Come home now,” she said. Her voice was flat, but that was precisely what made Josh's throat feel like it was being choked from the inside.

Throughout the ride home, Sharon couldn't say a word and just sat in silence. Both her hands clutched the hem of her skirt tightly, her face and fingers pale. Her gaze was vacant, yet filled with anxiety. Josh glanced at her and knew she was just as panicked. 

Earlier at the hospital, both of them had been caught red-handed by Josh's mother and Ashley's mother at the same time. Josh never expected that after returning from the charity event at the orphanage, the two women would head to the same hospital that Josh and Sharon were visiting.

Josh's mother was utterly shocked. Ashley's mother, however, casually asked what Josh and Sharon were doing there, implying that she had previously met Josh and Sharon, whom she had assumed were Josh's cousins. Josh's mother, upon hearing that, turned pale and could barely contain herself from exploding on the spot. But the woman remained silent, holding everything in, pretending to acknowledge that Sharon was her niece in front of Ashley's mother.

The four of them parted ways.  

But Josh later received instructions from his mother a short while later while he was still driving on the road.  

“Sorry,” Sharon murmured without turning her head. Her voice was barely audible.  

Josh didn't respond. Not because he was angry—he couldn't be angry at her. But because his mind was in complete disarray. At that moment, he felt like he was walking toward the gallows.

Josh assured Sharon that he would handle everything. Then he went to his parents' house and faced his own hell.

His parents' house always looked majestic in the twilight's slow descent. But to Josh, the building now resembled a slaughterhouse. And he was the sacrificial offering. He walked slowly, his body feeling heavy. Each step on the driveway felt like stepping on broken glass.

When the front door opened, the familiar scent of his home greeted him—the aroma of cinnamon from his mother's diffuser, mixed with the scent of candles recently extinguished. But tonight, there was no comfort inside. The living room was filled with tension as thick as fog.

His father sat upright in a chair in the living room, his hands resting on his knees, his jaw clenched. His mother stood with her arms crossed over her chest, her expression as cold as marble. Jason leaned against the wall, his face expressionless but his eyes anxious.

Josh closed the door. Silence. None of them spoke, but the air spoke volumes.

“Are you still involved with that woman?“ his father's voice cracked like a whip. Restrained, but sharp.  

Josh didn't answer.  

”ARE YOU STILL INVOLVED WITH THAT WHORE?!“ Now the voice exploded. His father stood up. His body was large, his shoulders broad, his voice echoing throughout the room.  

Josh bowed his head. ‘I—’  

”Shut up!”

His mother sighed. Jason looked away. His father stepped closer, each step like a hammer striking the floor.

“You're disgracing this family! After everything she did... you BROUGHT HER BACK into our lives?! Even ASHLEY'S MOTHER had to see it with her own eyes!”

"I didn't mean to—”

The first blow came without warning. His father's palm struck Josh's left cheek with a loud, sharp sound. Josh's body swayed slightly to the side, but he didn't fight back.

“You're a disgrace! Not only are you a disobedient child, but you're also STUPID!"

The second blow followed. This time, a fist struck his jaw. He tasted blood in his mouth. Josh remained silent. Not because it didn't hurt. But because he already knew this would happen.

His mother screamed softly. ”Stop, please... he's still your son.”

But his father turned angrily. “Are you defending him?!”

Roughly, the man pushed his wife until she fell onto the sofa. Jason moved quickly, but his father glared at him sharply. “Don't come near. I'm warning you. Anyone who tries to help him, I'll kill!”

Josh tried to stand up, but his father approached again. This time, he grabbed an object nearby—a golf club leaning against the corner of the room. The club was made of lightweight steel, heavy, and usually used for practice in the backyard.

“Look at this?” he said, his raspy voice like a whisper of death. “Do you think I can't make you regret this?!”

Without mercy, the club swung down. It struck Josh's shoulder with full force. The sound of metal colliding with flesh and bone made everyone hold their breath.

Josh fell. His vision blurred. But before he could process the pain, the next blow came.

His body curved from the impact on his back. Then on his side. Then on his thigh.

“TO US, YOU'RE ALREADY DEAD!” his father shouted, continuing to strike. “You're not my son! You're NOT WORTHY of this family name!”

Josh let out a quiet scream. His eyes began to cloud over. But the pain wasn't just physical. His father's words were far more devastating.

Jason couldn't take it anymore. He jumped forward and grabbed his father's hand. “Enough! You'll kill him, Dad!”

His father pushed Jason away, but that was enough for Josh to wriggle away, crawling to the corner of the room like a severely wounded animal.

His mother was crying hysterically. Jason stood up and shouted even louder. “If you keep hitting him, I'll call the police!”

Their father fell silent. His eyes were bloodshot. His breathing was labored. But finally, he threw the stick to the floor and turned away. “Get him out of here. Now. I don't want to see his face in this house anymore.”

Jason quickly helped Josh to his feet. His brother could barely walk, his body trembling and heavy. They left the house in a silence that cut like a knife. Jason's car was waiting outside. On the way to the apartment, Jason opened a small first-aid kit from the dashboard.

“Don't say anything to Ashley,” Jason whispered, wiping the blood from Josh's temple. “Just say you were beaten up by thugs.”

Josh gave a short, bitter laugh. “I guess… it'll make more sense than the truth.”

Jason stared at him for a long moment. “I know you love Sharon. But sometimes, Josh… love isn't enough.”

Josh closed his eyes. Behind his throbbing eyelids, he saw only one thing—Sharon, smiling at him. And Ashley. And all the lies now choking him like a noose.

And he knew. It had all just begun.