Chapter 1

My sister-in-law, Anna Brooks, was in a car accident and got paralyzed below the waist.

My husband, David Brooks's eyes went red. He wanted to bring her home and take care of her right away.

David said, "Anna's really got it tough. From now on, I'll handle everything for her—meals, care, everything."

He patted his chest and promised me, "Don't worry, you won't have to do a thing."

I smiled and kept quiet.

The next day, with my suitcase in hand and feeling pretty upbeat, I said, "Honey, I've got some good news for you. I've been transferred to our branch office in another city for two whole years. I'm leaving tonight."

David was completely dumbfounded, asking, "You've got to be kidding me."

I walked out without looking back. "Didn't you say you'd take care of her? Looks like I'm clearing out for you two as you wanted."

Behind me, I could hear David's furious, broken shout and Anna's choked, broken sobs.

*****

The hospital corridor was bathed in harsh, white fluorescent light.

The sharp smell of disinfectant hung in the air, making my nose sting.

The doctor came out, X-rays in hand, his face grim.

"Mr. Brooks, I'm afraid the news isn't good," the doctor said. "Anna suffered severe damage to her spinal nerves from the impact. She's completely paralyzed from the waist down."

David swayed on his feet.

His tall frame swayed, like he might buckle at any second.

Without thinking, I reached out to steady him.

But he had already lunged toward the doctor, his eyes bloodshot and his voice cracking with emotion.

"Doctor, please, isn't there anything else you can do?" David said. "I don't care how much it costs. Make Anna better."

The doctor shook his head, sympathy written all over his face. "We've done everything we can. This is the best we can do. Recovery will be a long and difficult journey."

David slumped against the wall and slammed his fist into the cold tiles.

A dull thud echoed as his knuckles struck the wall.

He started crying.

A grown man in his thirties, sobbing like a kid.

I stood there, watching him, strangely calm inside.

I couldn't help but feel like laughing.

Anna, my sister-in-law, was twenty-four.

She had been out of college for two years, but couldn't hold down a job for more than three months at a time.

Every day, she stayed home playing games, binge-watching videos, and blowing money on designer goods.

Whenever she ran out of cash, she'd go straight to David for more.

David never said no to Anna.

From a simple coffee to luxury bags costing tens of thousands, whenever Anna asked for something, he never frowned.

David always said, "She's my only sister, so of course I've spoiled her since she was little."

I had been married to David for five years.

Over those five years, I watched Anna pull her puppy-dog routine for cash more times than I could count.

And David? He was always doing his good brother thing, shelling out money without even blinking.

All that money, of course, came straight out of our household budget.

I brought it up with him more than once.

But every time, David would say, "Flora, Anna's still a kid. Be patient with her. Once she gets married, things will get better."

Now, that was never going to happen.

After David finally stopped crying, he wiped his tears and walked over to me.

He grabbed my hand, his eyes full of pleading and a resolve that wouldn't take no for an answer.

"Flora, Anna's really got it rough," he said. "From now on, I'll handle everything for her—food, care, all her needs."

He patted his chest, making a solemn vow to me.

"Don't worry, you won't have to lift a finger. I promise!" he said.

I looked at his face, sincere and anxious.

I thought back to the past five years—every time he promised, I was the one left picking up the pieces.

I remembered how Anna took the money we had been saving for a house and used it to buy a limited-edition designer bag.

I remembered when my mom was hospitalized, and I asked David for help, but he said every last cent had already gone to pay Anna's tuition.

All those old grievances I had buried deep inside started to surface, one by one.

I smiled and said nothing.

The next day, the house was a total mess.

David had spent the whole night at the hospital and only got home in the morning.

He was scruffy, exhausted, and on the phone.

David was making arrangements for a caregiver, a rehab center, and a wheelchair supplier.

He was running around, making arrangements to ensure Anna would be taken care of.

David really looked like the picture of a responsible big brother.

I didn't bother him.

Quietly, I walked into the bedroom and grabbed that 28-inch suitcase I hadn't touched in ages.

I opened the closet.

I carefully folded my clothes, one by one, and packed them neatly into the suitcase.

Spring, summer, autumn, and winter outfits—all of them went in.

I also packed my skincare products, my books, and my cherished CDs.