Chapter 3

The medications were powerful preion drugs, issued in limited quantities by the hospital for my specific condition. They couldn't be bought over the counter at the pharmacy.

"Lily, I probably won't survive longer than three days."

The living room fell silent for two seconds before Sarah burst out laughing.

"You'd say such a thing just to get out of a family photo? Ryan, don't use death to manipulate people."

Mom smoothed a wrinkle in my jacket and spoke in a tone as if soothing a stubborn child. "When you were little and couldn't get your way against Henry, you'd pretend to have stomachaches. It seems you haven't changed."

"Mom, I'm not pretending."

"Alright. You're not pretending." She nodded dismissively. "Let's finish the photoshoot first, then we'll take you to the hospital, okay?"

The photographer pressed the shutter.

In the picture, Henry stood in the center, while Lily clung affectionately to his arm. My parents and Sarah surrounded him on both sides. Meanwhile, I stood at the very edge in a cheap groomsman's suit, only half my pale face visible in the frame.

When the photos were done, Dad pulled out a document and said to me, "This is a property transfer agreement. The family house was registered in your name. But now that Henry's back, it should belong to him."

Grandma had left the house to me. Before she passed, she held my hand and told me, "Having something of your own is the foundation of security in life."

For ten years, I had entrusted the deed to Dad without a second thought.

"Grandma gave that house to me."

"You've already had it for ten years." Dad pushed a pen across the table. "Don't be greedy. Let Henry have the house. You and Lily can still live in the apartment."

Henry grinned and lightly shook Lily's arm.

"But Lily told me the apartment belongs to me, too. If Ryan lives there, I'll have nightmares every night."

Expressionless, Lily said, "Ryan can stay in my old studio apartment. It's a little run-down, but it's close to a hospital. It'll be good for his health."

That apartment was only 300 square feet. It was a converted basement unit with no windows. The ceiling leaked terribly, and there was barely any heat in it during winter. Seven years ago, when Lily was struggling with her startup business, I lived there with her for almost two years.

Whenever mold spread across the walls, I'd cover it with decorative stickers. Back then, she held me tightly and promised that she'd never let me suffer again.

Now, she was offering me that same basement apartment as compensation.

"I won't sign it."

Sarah grabbed my shoulder.

"Stop being difficult. After Henry disappeared, he slept under bridges and ate garbage to survive. And you can't even stay in a basement? Besides, it's only temporary. Once he's calmed down, we'll bring you back."

Pain spread from my skull down my spine. I began seeing double. I pleaded, "Give me my phone. I need to call an ambulance."

Lily caught my wrist.

"If an ambulance shows up today, what will the neighbors say about Henry? Just hold on for another couple of hours. Once the relatives leave, I'll take you to the hospital myself."

"I'm in a lot of pain. I really can't hold on anymore."

As I struggled, my phone slipped from my fingers. Henry picked it up first.

"Ryan, are you trying to record us, then go and tell everyone that your family mistreated you?"

He turned the phone off and stuffed it into his pocket.

"When you've signed the papers, I'll give it back."

The doorbell rang. Relatives began arriving with gifts.

No one asked if I was in pain anymore. Everyone gathered around Henry, listening to his tragic stories. He spoke of sleeping in train stations, being beaten, and nearly being trafficked to another country.

Mom cried so hard she could barely stand. Dad turned away to wipe his eyes. Lily tiptoed and kissed Henry's forehead.

"No one can hurt you ever again."

Near the coffee table, I pushed myself upright against the wall.

A corner of my medical file still stuck out from the bottom shelf of the shoe cabinet. If I could just get the report, surely then they'd believe me.

My fingertips had barely touched the folder when a shoe came down on my hand.

I looked up to see Henry staring at me. His voice was low. "Ryan, nobody is taking you to the hospital. The three minutes of despair I spent waiting for you ten years ago will be repaid tenfold by you today."

He picked up the medical file, then walked into the master bedroom and tossed it inside. The door slammed shut. A second later, I heard the key turn.

Henry had locked the master bedroom door.