Chapter 11

I looked up.Jack walked in wearing a custom-made suit. He looked every bit the charming gentleman.He seemed completely unaware of what had happened inside.He was even carrying an elegant gift box."How could I skip Dad's birthday celebration? I only wanted to surprise him."As he spoke, his gaze landed on me.His smile faltered for a moment.Immediately, a glimmer of smugness flickered in his eyes.I recognized everything he was wearing at a glance.The necklace was the one Mom had given me for my twentieth birthday.The watch was one of Mom's keepsakes she'd left behind for me.Even the diamond stud in his ear was something I'd once kept locked in my drawer.He'd done it on purpose.He knew there was a chance he'd see me today, so he'd deliberately worn my belongings to provoke me.Five years had passed, and he hadn't changed at all.The moment Jack walked in, the atmosphere in the banquet hall grew even stranger.He seemed to sense that something was wrong too, esp

Chapter 12

They all wanted to believe Jack was innocent.That way, they wouldn't have to admit they'd helped a guilty person drive me to the brink of destruction.Ivy took a step back.Jack reached out to tug at her sleeve."Ivy, what's wrong?"Do you think it's my fault too?"If Casper doesn't like me, I can leave."Ivy stepped away from Jack.His hand froze in midair.For the first time, genuine panic flickered in his eyes."Ivy?"Ivy didn't speak. Her eyes were frighteningly red, but there was no longer any tenderness in them.There was only shock, suspicion, and a trace of belated disgust.Jack turned to face Riley."Riley–" His voice trembled. "Did I say something wrong?"Please don't look at me like that. You're scaring me."Riley walked toward him one step at a time.Jack's eyes lit up.He probably thought Riley would protect him just as she always had.All he had to do was cry, and she'd stand in front of him to defend him.She'd shield him from every accusation.Smac

Chapter 13

Riley suddenly dropped to her knees in front of me.Her knees hit the floor with a dull thud."I'm sorry. I was wrong. I was so wrong."I shouldn't have doubted you. I shouldn't have abandoned you when you needed me most."I shouldn't have hurt you for his sake."Her tears fell onto the carpet one after another.As I looked at her, I felt a tug in my chest.It hurt, but only for a moment.Too much time had passed.Her kneeling before me no longer brought me any satisfaction, and her admitting she was wrong wouldn't make me forgive her.I simply looked at her calmly and said, "You shouldn't only apologize to me."You should apologize to Mom too."Riley jerked her head up.My voice was soft."She loved you so much."Even as she was dying, she asked me to take good care of you."But what did you do?"You cherished the person who killed her."For his sake, you drove her only son to the brink of death."The last trace of color drained from Riley's face.She remained on h

Chapter 14

"I've already had someone look into the Lancaster family's recent projects."If she still hasn't learned her lesson, I'll make sure she does," Shirley said softly.Seeing how everyone was acting as if they were preparing for war, I suddenly laughed.I felt a warmth in my chest where it used to be cold."Okay. I'll do as you say."That night, I didn't sleep well.I kept dreaming about the past.I dreamed about Mom in her hospital bed while gently ruffling my hair.I dreamed about Riley carrying me on her back during the long walk home from school.I also dreamed about Ivy standing beneath a tree and smiling as she promised she'd marry me someday.The scenes then shifted.They were all standing beside Jack.They told me to stop making a fuss.They told me to be more mature.They told me to be more understanding.When I jolted awake, Shirley was sitting on the edge of the bed and watching me.She took my hand."Did you have a nightmare?"I nodded.She pulled me into her

Chapter 15

As Riley spoke, her voice suddenly broke."But what did I do after that?"I lowered my gaze.My fingertips gradually grew cold.I remembered those things too, but I couldn't bring myself to recall those memories anymore.They hurt too much.Riley chuckled on the other end.It sounded broken."Casper, I was awful. I pushed you away with my own hands."I left you to suffer alone overseas. I even protected the person who got Mom killed."I've been too afraid to even sleep the past few days. Every time I close my eyes, I see Mom."She keeps asking me why I didn't protect you."My throat felt tense, but I still didn't speak.Riley fell silent for a moment. It sounded almost like she was begging when she spoke again."Casper, I know I don't deserve it, but could you please call me Sis one last time?"Just once. After that, I'll never bother you again."Suddenly, I saw a vision of Riley at fifteen.That year, when my classmates bullied me, she stormed into the classroom and s

Chapter 16

Shirley didn't try to talk me out of it.She simply stayed with me.Later, the police contacted me to collect Riley's belongings.I went there.Riley had left very little behind.There was an old key, a yellowed photo, and a broken music box.The photo was from my fifteenth birthday.I was in the middle, Mom was behind me, and Riley was putting a birthday hat on my head.We were all smiling.Those were good times.It felt like a dream that couldn't possibly have been real.The officer handed me a letter."She left this for you."I accepted it but didn't open it right away.It wasn't until I got back to the car that I finally unfolded it.There were only a few lines on the paper.[Casper, I'm sorry.][The biggest mistake of my life was losing you.][I know you won't forgive me, and you shouldn't.][If there's a next life, I'll see everything clearly much sooner.][I'll protect you and Mom properly.][Be happy.]I stared at the words 'be happy,' and my tears fell ag