The Hand They Left Broken のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 1 - チャプター 10

My father could not stop me from paying, so he followed me into the specialist's office with a dark expression, afraid I would spend another cent of money I should not be spending.The moment we stepped inside, he asked the doctor, "She can still get by without surgery, right?"The doctor pulled up my scans."The fracture healed badly out of alignment, and the joint has also become deformed. She can function now because her left hand has taken over most of the work. That doesn't mean there's nothing wrong with her right hand.""Is there a cheaper option?""After five years, conservative treatment won't fix this anymore. She needs corrective surgery as soon as possible. It will take two surgeries, followed by rehabilitation. The total cost will be around $100,000 to $150,000."My father's face immediately tightened. "That much?"The doctor flipped through my medical records, then suddenly stopped. "Abigail Rothwell? Were you examined here five years ago?"I nodded.He pulled up

On the day of my surgery, I went to the hospital with my roommate, Josephine Lancaster.She said our counselor, Charles Pembroke, would come over after he finished submitting the paperwork.That eased some of my nerves.And my parents really did come."Nervous? It's definitely going to hurt. Are you sure you don't want to think it over?"…After I changed into a hospital gown, my mother fastened the last button for me. "When you were little and had to stay in the hospital, I was the one who changed your clothes.""I never stayed in the hospital when I was little."She paused. "I must have remembered wrong."It was not hard to guess who she had confused me with.My father pulled out Lillian's payment slip. "If we cancel now, we can still get most of the money back. Lillian will need rehabilitation after surgery, and it would be best if she had a private room.""I'll need rehabilitation after my surgery, too.""You have your school and your classmates to help you."That was

"Abigail, don't help me. Take care of your hand first."When my grandfather's condition suddenly worsened, I went back home with my arm in its brace.He did not ask how much I had spent. He did not ask how much of my scholarship I had left."Does it still hurt?""Yes.""If it hurts, say so. Don't pretend you're fine."It was the first time I had admitted I was in pain in front of my family without worrying that I would be told to just tough it out."Grandpa, the surgery went well.""That's good. When's your follow-up?""Next week.""Don't put it off just to stay with me.""I want to stay a few more days.""What is there to stay for? Taking care of your own life is more important than sitting here with me."…That afternoon, my parents brought Lillian home.The moment Caroline walked through the door, she asked, "Dad, what did Abigail say to you after she got back? She's young and acts on impulse. You need to talk to her and tell her not to let her anger with the family g

"Abigail, I didn't cry today." Lillian called me on her kids' phone. "My therapist told me to lift my foot, so I did it thirty times. Mom gave me a doll as a reward.""Good job.""Abigail, did you practice today?""I did.""Did you get a reward?""Being able to move it is reward enough."She did not understand, but she did not ask any more questions.I did not block her number. She had not been involved in our parents' decision, and she had never tried to take anything from me.But two weeks later, she started passing along messages from our parents."Abigail, Mom wants to know when you're coming home.""I'm not.""Mom said they bought you a bed.""Didn't I have one before?""No. I have too many toys, so the other room is full. Dad said if they clear out half of them, you can stay there."They were finally willing to make room for a bed for me at home. The condition was that they had to clear out things my sister no longer wanted."Lillian, don't ask me things for them."

This time, my parents did not bring Lillian.Caroline handed me a new backpack. "You always loved pink when you were little. I bought you the most expensive one. Consider it a belated college gift.""I don't like pink.""You used to.""That was then."She set the backpack on the table. "Abigail, I know I was wrong. That paper saying we're no longer family doesn't count. Blood ties can't be severed by a piece of paper.""I know."She took that as a sign I had given in. "That's more like it. Family doesn't stay mad at each other forever. Pack your things. We'll come get you this weekend and take you home. We won't bring up the past again.""It doesn't matter whether the paper counts or not. I don't need it to have any legal effect."Nathaniel frowned. "Then, what are you still making a fuss about? We came to you, didn't we?""I haven't made a fuss about anything.""You won't answer our calls, you won't come home, you won't even take care of your sister, and you still say you h