Chapter
3
13
I threw the shredded documents into the trash bin and turned to go upstairs.
“In a few days, it will be Mom’s anniversary. Don’t forget,” Alex said.
“How could I forget?” I replied, a forced smile on his face.
“Get some rest. I’ll go work in the study.”
I didn’t respond, nor did I look back.
That night, I couldn’t sleep.
I went through the entire house and gathered everything related to the three of us.
I burned the photos.
Anything I could smash or break, I smashed and broke.
What could be given away, I packed and sent to the orphanage.
The rest, all that remained, was this house–this small house full of memories.
This was the only villa the Marshall family had when Mom married into the family.
Afterward, when Mom passed away, neither Alex nor I could bear to move out.
Later on, Dad moved out to live with Janis’s mother.
Alex gradually stopped coming back here as well.
Brook used to come by every day to spend time with me.
But now, it had been a long time since he last visited.
I sat on the terrace, holding my mother’s portrait
I cried for a long time before finally falling asleep, still teary–eyed.
The day after my birthday was Mom’s anniversary.
That year, Mom stubbornly held on until I finished celebrating my birthday before passing
away.
I had cried uncontrollably back then.
Brook stayed by my side, not even blinking, as he accompanied me.
He stayed with me for the next eight years, through eight more birthdays.
This was the first time he wasn’t there–but honestly, it didn’t matter anymore.
Chap3
Though Brook wasn’t there, Janis wasn’t going away either.
Her social media was active all night long.
Some well–meaning person even streamed it live to me.
“I couldn’t find a reason to celebrate, so Brook said, why not celebrate your tablet’s birthday tonight?”
“Actually, I just wanted an excuse to eat cake.”
A beautiful, expensive two–tiered cake, a champagne tower.
Janis, the little princess wearing a crown, surrounded by bags and pretty clothes.
She smiled with eyes full of affection, glancing lovingly at the person beside her.
Brook was smiling gently at her. They looked so perfect together.
I logged out of my social media account and placed my phone face down on the table.
I closed my eyes and made a wish to the candle.
“Mom, please bless me, let everything go smoothly.”
“Mom, please protect me, keep me away from these horrible people.”
On the day of Mom’s death anniversary, I waited for a long time.
Dad had sent over some offerings, but Alex never showed up.
I called him three times, but no one answered.
The fourth time, someone picked up, but it was Janis’s mom’s voice.
“It’s Erica, right? Are you looking for Alex?”
“Today is my mother’s anniversary.”
“Oh, it’s sister’s anniversary? Look at us, we’ve really messed up.”
“My dog just gave birth, and both Alex and Janis were so excited that they forgot about everything else…”
“Looks like it’s too late to go over now… What should we do?”
“Aunt, whose call was that?”
“It’s Erica’s. She sounds angry. What should we do, Alex?”
“Hello, Erica?” Alex’s voice came through.
I immediately hung up and blocked his number.
At the cemetery, Mom smiled at me from the black–and–white photo on the tombstone.
Her smile was full of love and tenderness,
It was the warmest season of all.
I knelt on the ground, but it felt like I had fallen into a cold abyss.
I hugged my mother’s photo and kissed it.
It’s okay. At least I am here, and I’ll never forget Mom.
When I came back from the lawyer’s office and returned to the small house, I unexpectedly saw Brook with Janis and Alex.
Janis was surrounded by both of them, holding a large bouquet of flowers, clearly thrilled.
When they saw me, Alex spoke first.
“Erica, look at how amazing Janis is! Her design just won an international award.”
“I only wanted to follow in my sister’s footsteps, Janis said, looking shy and modest.
Brook took the design draft, sneered, and said, “Follow in her footsteps?”
“She studied under a famous teacher and still didn’t win a single award.” “This thing still depends on talent, Janis. Don’t sell yourself short.”
