All Chapters of Punished for a Lie, Freed by Death: Chapter 1 - Chapter 8

8 Chapters

Chapter 1

It took me two hours to dig through the house and find a pack of ibuprofen that might or might not have been expired. I swallowed the pills with water, hoping they'd ease the pain that felt like it was drilling through my skull.I had just crawled back onto my small cot in the corner of the living room when my sister, Kayla Bennett, came home.She saw me lying there with my pale face and closed eyes, frowned, and strode over in a few quick steps. Grabbing a fistful of my hair, she dragged me bodily into the spare bedroom.The room had been turned into a memorial for our parents and Dylan Bennett, with their framed photos displayed on a small table. I'd knelt on the small rug in front of those photos thousands of times over the past eight years.Enduring the searing pain in my scalp, I numbly dropped to my knees. Only then did Kayla release her grip, her voice cold as ice."Today is the anniversary of Mom's, Dad's, and Dylan's deaths. I spent all day at their graves, and you dare t

Chapter 2

I had no idea how long I was unconscious, but I woke up to someone knocking at the door. Stumbling to open it, I found my landlady, Amanda Jones, there to collect the rent. Before she could voice her complaints, she was startled by my blood-covered appearance."Oh my God, what happened to you? Come on, I'm taking you to the hospital right now."After the examination at the hospital, Amanda looked heartbroken. "Honey, you're so young. How did you end up with brain cancer?"Seeing how pale and thin I was, barely able to eat anything, she called her son to bring homemade soup. She then patiently fed me spoonful by spoonful.I couldn't help tearing up. Eight years ago, when I learned that my real parents weren't the abusive couple who raised me, this was exactly how I'd imagined a mother would be.She gently wiped my tears away. "Hey, don't cry. With the right treatment, you can beat this."I shook my head and transferred what was supposed to be my final paycheck for Kayla to her ins

Chapter 3

Kayla stiffened, her expression softening. "I thought Dad would go back and cut you down. Whatever, let's not talk about that."You obviously know now that Mom and Dad aren't dead. All these years, we just wanted to teach you some sense so you would stop targeting Dylan."It's clear you still haven't learned your lesson, but you're still Mom and Dad's biological son and my real brother. Starting today, you can come live with us at the Bennett residence."Before I could respond, she quickly added, "But when you get back, you'll need to apologize to Dylan first. Promise him you'll never mention sending him away again."I refused flatly. "I won't try to make you send him away anymore, but apologizing? Not happening."Kayla's face darkened immediately. I thought she'd punish me like before, but seeing my pale complexion, she just gripped my wrist and dragged me to the luxury car waiting outside.The moment I was pulled into the Bennett residence, Dylan hid behind our parents, trembli

Chapter 4

The next day at noon, the Bennetts sat around the dining table eating. Dad looked at my empty seat and slammed down his fork with a dark expression."This is ridiculous. Sleeping until noon and not getting up. Does he expect our whole family to wait for him to come eat?"Dylan spoke up, looking hurt but trying to act like he didn't care. "Dad, don't be mad at Nathan. It's because I upset him yesterday that he's hiding in his room and doesn't want to see me."It's okay. I can just eat in my room from now on so Nathan can fit into our family better."After hearing this, their anger shot through the roof. They left the table and headed straight for my room, pounding on the door."Nathan, get out here right now! Are you really giving us an attitude on your first day back home? Haven't you learned your lesson after all these years?"If you don't come out, don't blame us for sending you back to Rick's!"They pounded on the door for ages, but there wasn't a sound from inside. Kayla's e

Chapter 5

When I woke up again, I saw Kayla sitting beside the hospital bed with red marks still on her face. Noticing I was awake, she immediately leaned closer and gently touched my hair, speaking hoarsely."Nate, how are you feeling?"I looked at her for a while without answering her question. "Did you find out?"Kayla's hand paused, and it took her a long time to steady her breathing."Yes. Nate, don't be scared. No matter what it costs, I'm going to get you better."I shook my head. "Don't lie to make me feel better. If you're feeling guilty because you found out I'm sick, you don't need to."If you absolutely have to do something to make yourself feel better, then grant me that wish I mentioned last night."Kayla suddenly gripped my hand tightly, her face going pale. "No. I won't let you just walk away. Don't think you can't be saved and give up on treatment."We were wrong before. We shouldn't have lied to you for so long. But we're still your family. Even if… Even if we can't cur

Chapter 6

After that day, the Bennetts changed their attitude toward me completely, following my every word and bending over backward to please me. But they still refused to let me leave.Every day, Kayla insisted on asking what I wanted or what I wanted to do. I always stayed silent, except for the first time when I had her prepare some money to transfer to Amanda, who had once saved me.During my hospital stay, I heard Dylan's voice outside my room. He wanted to visit me, but Mom, Dad, and Kayla always sent him away.Before I knew it, half a month of hospital treatment had passed. My quiet behavior made them both heartbroken and anxious. The three of them spent almost the entire day keeping watch by my bed, not daring to leave for even a moment, terrified that I might close my eyes forever while they were gone.But no matter how much they wanted to watch me constantly, the exhaustion of those two weeks finally made them fall into a deep sleep at night.I listened quietly to their breathin

Chapter 7

Seeing the Bennetts again made me feel annoyed. I'd specifically forced myself to change transportation several times to get to this remote little town, all so I could spend my final moments alone in peace.But they just had to chase after me, acting like they actually cared about me. If they really cared, why would I have endured those eight years of being tortured by guilt and constantly punished by Kayla to atone for my sins?Watching Kayla pick up her phone to actually contact a medical team, I struggled to call out a single word, "Kayla."She immediately dropped her phone and leaned down. "I'm here. What do you want to tell me, Nate?"Slowly and with great difficulty, I managed to get out a sentence. "Your presence... only makes... my last moments hell."I watched with satisfaction as her face instantly went white. Unable to support herself, she collapsed to her knees and started desperately slapping herself."I truly am an animal! I shouldn't have said those things to you!

Chapter 8

Back at the Bennett residence, Kayla calmly let Dylan out of his room. He habitually hugged her arm, carefully acting gentle."Kayla, I was wrong before. I know that no matter what, Nathan's already part of our family. I shouldn't have hoped to be the only one you all loved. Please forgive me."Kayla looked at him and replied flatly, "Go check on Mom and Dad first."Dylan thought this meant she was letting the previous incident slide, so he eagerly followed her. It wasn't until he saw that familiar household staff's room that he realized something was wrong."Kayla, why would Mom and Dad be in here?"Kayla pushed him inside without question. "Nate's gone, and Mom and Dad are very sad. Go see them."Dylan's voice couldn't hide his secret joy. "I'll comfort Mom and Dad. Don't be too upset either, Kayla. We can still be a happy family, right?"But the moment he went in, he saw Margaret and Robert sitting on the floor with their legs twisted unnaturally, looking at him with hatred.

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