When My Family Chose Him

The room was completely silent.

My girlfriend, Vivian Samper, had a dark look on her face. She forcefully shook off my hand and coldly demanded, "Why did you come back?"

I froze on the spot after hearing that and had no idea what to say.

My mother, Sophia Kramer, forced a smile after a long pause and stepped forward to take my hand.

"It's okay. I'll clean up another room for you. Come out and eat something first."

Confused, I asked directly, "Why do you need to clean up another room?"

When I turned around, I realized the room that used to belong to me looked completely different from how I remembered it.

"Can't we just clean up this room?"

My older sister, Alice Kramer, frowned deeply and said in a low voice, "Listen to Mom. Let's eat first."

They led me to the dining table. The moment I saw all the food spread across it, I blurted out, "Mom, I hate cilantro. Why does every dish have cilantro in it?"

I had always hated cilantro. In the past, my family would leave it out whenever they cooked for me. After that, I hardly ever had to eat it again.

Vivian used to carefully pick cilantro out of my food for me.

But now, she said nothing.

Her silence felt strangely unsettling.

That was when I finally realized it was probably because the conqueror loved cilantro.

He had taken over my body for five years. During that time, I fought him every day from deep within my own consciousness.

Today, I had finally regained control of my body.

But my family's reaction made them feel like strangers.

I continued eating. Just then, my younger sister, Charlotte Kramer, burst through the front door, cheering excitedly.

"When are we going to the karaoke bar?"

Before she could finish, my father, Arthur Kramer, interrupted her. "Maverick is back."

Charlotte looked completely confused. It wasn't until I showed an expression that only I used to make that she suddenly realized what had happened.

I watched her face darken instantly, and it hurt more than I expected.

"I'm not going anymore! Stop bothering me!"

She stormed upstairs in anger without even looking at me.

Vivian gently took my hand and smiled at me.

"Charlotte got spoiled while you were gone these past few years. Don't be too upset. We'll stay with you."

I forced a smile after hearing that.

I used to go to karaoke bars all the time. They had always been a great place to relax.

But this time felt different.

Vivian, who used to love singing duets with me, was now just clutching the microphone in silence.

I smiled and teased her. "Is the queen of karaoke not in the mood to sing today?"

Vivian forced a smile, but her face was pale.

"My stomach doesn't feel well. Go ahead and sing by yourself."

As soon as she finished speaking, she pressed a hand against her stomach, curled up on the couch, and slowly closed her eyes.

Out of sight, where she couldn't see me, I pulled out my phone and ordered some stomach medicine.

It was expected to arrive in about 30 minutes.