Chapter 3

Mom let out a cold laugh, like she'd just heard the most ridiculous joke ever.

She walked past me with Mike in her arms, acting as if nothing had happened, and threw out a chilling line.

She said, "If you really have the guts, just go ahead and die already. Once you're gone, life will finally be peaceful for me. Hell, I might even throw a party to celebrate."

Even though I'd mentally prepared myself, actually hearing her say it to my face still sent a pang of bitterness through me.

I messily wiped the tears from the corners of my eyes, not even daring to let out a single sob.

A few minutes later, Mom walked out of Mike's room.

When she saw me quietly wiping away my tears, it was like I'd just poked a raw nerve.

She lunged at me like a madwoman, wrapping her fingers around my throat. She shouted, "What the hell are you crying for? Who the hell do you think you are, crying?"

Her eyes were wild and bloodshot, her grip tightening with every word as she kept chanting the same thing.

She said, "Why don't you just die already? Why don't you just die?"

Driven by pure survival instinct, I gripped her hands desperately, my voice trembling as I kept calling out, "Mom. "

I saw tears slip from the corner of her eyes, landing hot and heavy on the back of my hand, each drop searing.

In that moment, I gave up struggling altogether.

Mom gave me this life, and if she wanted to take it away, I wouldn't fight it.

I closed my eyes, waiting quietly for death to take me.

As I was choking, my mind went totally blank, and my whole life started flashing before my eyes in a blur.

The next moment, her grip on my neck vanished.

I started gasping for breath, my heart hammering so hard in my throat I thought it might burst out.

"Calm down. Are you really going to kill her? You want to spend the rest of your life in prison?" Joanna shouted, her voice sharp and urgent.

Joanna slapped Mom with reality. Mom broke down, clutching Joanna and sobbing her heart out.

She said, "She looks exactly like him. She looks so much like that person.

"Mom, I'm so scared. I really am. I can't breathe."

Joanna gently patted Mom's back, but when she turned to me, her eyes burned with murderous intent.

"This is the last time. Don't you dare act out again," Joanna said.

Once Joanna had managed to calm Mom down, she turned to me and urged me to go wash up.

Before heading into my room, Joanna came over with a cup of warm milk.

"You must've been scared tonight, huh? Drink this milk and get a good night's sleep," Joanna said gently.

I glanced at the milk carton on the dining table; it was the imported stuff Mom always bought for Mike. I wasn't even allowed a sip.

But now, Joanna was setting it down right in front of me. In that instant, it all clicked for me.

I picked up the cup and downed it in one go.

The milk was so smooth and silky, with a sweet aftertaste that lingered on my tongue. That was good.

I finished the milk and headed back to my room.

It was blazing hot outside, but inside, a brazier full of burning coals was smoldering away, and the windows were taped up tight.

Looking at all this, it was painfully clear what this all meant, but I didn't say a word.

I lay down quietly on my bed and soon heard the click of the lock as the door was shut tight behind me.

Barefoot, I crept over to my desk, using the faint glow from outside to grab some paper and a pen. I started writing my suicide note.

They were really in a rush, huh? To take on the label of murderer for someone like me, seriously, was it even worth it?

If they'd just waited a few more days, I would've slipped away without anyone even noticing.

But now, if I died like this, it would be a huge mess for them.

I ripped the suicide note from the pad, clenched it in my fist, and lay back down on my bed, quietly waiting for death to claim me all over again.

A few minutes later, the air got thinner and thinner, my lungs burning with every breath I couldn't take.

My thoughts grew hazy, and everything started to fade away.