You Broke Me First, Now You Beg

“You’re released, and I hope we won’t have to see you again, Aeris.”

The officer’s voice sounded cold as the large gate in front of Aeris slowly opened. For three years, that sight had existed only in her imagination.

“Thank you,” Aeris said quietly.

“Be careful if you drive again. Make sure you don’t hurt anyone.”

Aeris clenched her hands tightly. Memories of what had happened in the past came rushing back. But she quickly pushed them away because remembering them again was too painful.

She already felt fortunate enough to be free.

Today, for the first time, there were no more iron doors imprisoning her, no more bars restricting her steps, and no one telling her where she had to go.

Aeris stood still for a moment before stepping outside.

As soon as she left the gate, Aeris lifted her face and took a deep breath. The air outside felt different. Fresher, more spacious, and most importantly, it no longer carried the damp smell of the place that had been her prison for three years.

She inhaled once again, as if she wanted to fill her lungs with the freedom that had been taken from her all this time.

However, that freedom did not immediately make her feel better.

Aeris lowered her head and looked at herself. Her black hair was long and unkempt. Her face looked pale, and her skin was far duller than it had been three years ago. The clothes she wore were also old and slightly too large for her body, which was now much thinner.

Not a single part of her looked like the Aeris Harrison she used to be.

Back then, she had always looked neat, with a cheerful smile and eyes full of enthusiasm. Now, even she herself could barely recognize the reflection she saw in the mirror.

Aeris was just about to take another step when a black car stopped not far from where she was standing. The car door opened, and a man stepped out.

The man was dressed in a neat black suit, with his hair perfectly styled. His leather shoes were spotless. His appearance was in stark contrast to Aeris, who stood several meters in front of him.

Aeris recognized him immediately—David Harrison.

Her eldest brother.

David looked Aeris up and down. For a moment, his expression changed. There was a trace of shock that was difficult to hide when he saw his sister’s condition.

Three years.

Only three years, yet the Aeris standing before him looked like someone who had gone through a much longer life. For a moment, David felt sorry for her. What had happened in that place for Aeris to become like this?

After all, Aeris was his sister. They had grown up together. He still remembered how Aeris used to follow him everywhere when they were children.

However, that pity lasted only a few seconds. It was Aeris’s gaze that made David change his mind.

The woman’s eyes looked calm, but they were also so sharp. There was no happiness at finally being able to see her family. No tears, no guilt, nor any regret. There was only a cold gaze that made David feel as though Aeris was harboring hatred toward him.

David’s jaw tightened. He had not come here to receive a look like that.

“What is it?” Aeris asked briefly.

David clicked his tongue in annoyance. “If Mommy hadn’t told me to pick you up, I wouldn’t have wasted my time like this.”

Aeris looked at him for a few seconds before turning her gaze away. “Sorry for troubling you.”

That was all. There was no protest or question about why none of the other members of her family had come to pick her up. There was not even the slightest disappointment in her voice.

That attitude only made David even more annoyed. “Don’t pretend you don’t care,” he said. “You should know why we all did those things to you.”

Aeris fell silent.

David let out a long sigh, then continued in a tone as if he were giving advice to someone who could not think straight.

“We only wanted to teach you a lesson. If you had been willing to think clearly, you would have understood. No one wanted to see you end up like this.”

Aeris looked at David again, then slowly lifted the corners of her lips. She was not smiling, but the small laugh that escaped her sounded so cynical that it made David frown.

“Yes,” Aeris replied. “Okay.” Then she nodded slowly. “I accept that.”

David did not understand why such a simple answer made his chest feel uncomfortable. He had expected Aeris to cry, beg, or at least offer an explanation. Instead, the woman looked far too calm.

“Don’t you have even the slightest regret, Aeris?” David snapped. “Three years should have taught you to think more.”

Honestly, talking to Aeris right now was emotionally exhausting for David. He opened his car door roughly. “Get in!”

Aeris said nothing. She simply walked toward the car and got into the back seat.

There was not much conversation throughout the journey. David glanced at Aeris through the rearview mirror several times. His sister sat quietly, looking out the window. Her face showed no emotion at all.

David disliked it even more.

In his opinion, Aeris should have been grateful and thankful.

They were still willing to accept her after all the problems she had caused. Even after spending three years in isolation, she still had a chance to return to the Harrison home.

Aeris should have understood that.

“Aeris,” David finally called.

Aeris did not answer immediately.

“Once you get home, you need to know your place.”

Aeris shifted her gaze from the window to him. She could clearly see the face of the man she had once called in a sweet tone and had never worried about lacking his affection. He was the first older brother Aeris had ever loved.

But now, that man had changed. His gaze was no longer as gentle and affectionate as before. Aeris smiled bitterly. How easily a person’s heart could change.

“Don’t think that just because you’re out, everything will go back to the way it was. If it weren’t for Mommy and Daddy’s affection, you wouldn’t be able to return home.”

Aeris remained silent.

David continued, his voice becoming firmer. “And one more thing. Don’t hurt our Cyntia.”

Aeris fell even deeper into silence.

“Are you not listening to me?” David snapped, glaring sharply at Aeris.

That startled Aeris. She tried to calm herself and said, “Yes, I heard you. And you don’t need to worry. Starting today, I know exactly what I am in your eyes.”

David became even more furious. “Damn it!” he cursed. “You’re making my day even worse!”