บททั้งหมดของ Heard It, But Too Late: บทที่ 1 - บทที่ 9

On the first day I was locked in the basement, my brother, Ralph Stone, returned to the living room and smashed the water glass on the table in frustration."Is Catherine really one of us? Part of the Stone family?" he huffed. "Are you sure the DNA test didn't get screwed up? How could someone like her come from our blood?"Our parents' faces darkened at his words. The nanny stammered, "I think she looked really bad earlier. Her face was turning purple from the struggle. Shouldn't we take her to the hospital?"Ralph whipped around. "Shut up! You feel sorry for her? What about Betty? Girls care about their looks more than anything. Catherine knew well that Betty was allergic to mangoes, yet she left half of it right there on the table, making Betty break out in all those rashes. She's always pulling these sneaky stunts. Who does she think she's fooling?"His face twisted with disgust. "She brought this on herself."The nanny opened her mouth, then closed it again. Just then, a soft

"Betty's right. We can't feed that bad habit," Laura agreed at once. "So, what do you think we should get her?""Doesn't she like bunnies? How about a bunny hair clip?" Betty replied. "I saw some in that lifestyle store we passed.""Sounds good. We'll go with that." Laura nodded, but then her phone rang.It was my aunt, Olivia Walton. Her voice was thick with emotion, making me freeze. She trembled, trying to hold it together. "Laura, where are you?"Unable to hold back anymore, I wailed in agony, though no one could hear me.In the two years since I had returned, only Olivia had always stood by me, trusting and loving me unconditionally. I hadn't wanted to die at all. I had wanted to grow up, earn money, and pay her back.Life had been hard on her, but she was tough, never asking her wealthy sister for a cent, yet she often secretly slipped me money to buy things I liked.Betty and I were both their daughters. Yet she got 100,000 dollars a month just in allowance, while I only

When they arrived home, the housekeeper, Ichabod, stood at the door, looking anxious.He ran up to them. "Ma'am, why are you back so late? I called so many times. Why didn't anyone answer?"The nanny and Olivia had called them, but Betty had thrown fits, complaining, "Aren't you here to shop with me? Why is everyone so busy on their phones?"Zach had been the first one to turn off his phone. "Don't be mad. See? I've turned it off. Nothing is more important than spending time with my baby girl.""Where is Catherine?" Ralph asked.The rims of Ichabod's eyes reddened. "Come with me. Miss Catherine Stone... She is dead.""Enough!" Ralph cut him off. "How long are you all gonna keep up this farce? Tell her to get out right now!"Ichabod blinked, then forced a bitter smile. "She can't. She is dead.""What do you mean by that?" Ralph snapped. "You're gonna cover for her? You've been with us for nearly 20 years. I never knew you were so blind to right and wrong."Ichabod frowned, rais

I floated behind Ralph, barely keeping up. He burst into my room and froze.It was plain, with just a bed, a closet, and a simple desk. He started rummaging like a madman. Suddenly, he spotted something and began shaking violently.It was a big white box labeled "Christmas Gifts for everyone".I closed my eyes, forcing back my tears. With shaking hands, he opened the box.[Dad works so hard, so I picked this massager after doing tons of research. I tried it out in the store multiple times. It's good.][I embroidered this wallet for Mom. It took me forever to learn, but it might look so perfect. Mom, will you like it?][Aunt Olivia, you're the prettiest. This necklace suits you perfectly. It's custom, and I designed the pattern myself. When I make it big, I'll buy you tons of jewelry and the fanciest clothes.][Ralph, this is Lok the Player's autograph. I was worried online ones might be fake, so I camped outside his company for five days and finally got it!][Betty, I hope we c

Olivia crouched on the floor, sobbing in agony. Zach slumped on the bed, his expression blank. Ralph was drenched in sweat and tears.Suddenly, he ran out like a maniac, but no one stopped him."You should leave, too," Laura told Betty. "You're an adult now and have saved up plenty over the years. It's enough to live on."Betty collapsed in despair. "Mom, I was wrong. Don't kick me out. Please, don't abandon me, okay?"Laura turned away. Zach pulled up Betty and dragged her out.Everything seemed to settle into quiet. Olivia gave Laura a numb look and left without another word.When Zach returned, Laura was gone. I saw her climb to the roof, wind whipping her hair.With her gaze fixed on where I floated, she forced a smile. "I'm sorry, Catherine. I'll make it up to you. I'm coming to find you."...After being kicked out, Betty could have lived comfortably. But she was never content. What seemed plenty to others felt like poverty to her.She turned to gambling, hoping to turn