Likewise, Michael kept his head down and simply kept eating without any intention to talk to me.
After finishing his meal, he put on his shoes and left without even a glance.
When we were in bed earlier, he still treated me gently. As such, I was deeply disappointed by his abrupt change in behavior.
Losing all my appetite, I silently tidied up the dining table before heading to the hospital alone.
Since Michael had already left, there was no reason left for me to stay here. Besides, I was still utterly concerned about Steven.
When I arrived at his ward, Steven had already woken up while my mother was feeding him chicken stew. Even though his operation was successful, he still looked frail.
The moment I stepped into the ward, they simply glanced at me without saying a word. My mother’s gaze on me was extremely cold.
Their behaviors were reasonable as Steven was in terrible shape. Thus, I forced myself to look past their icy attitude and walked over to my mother before reaching out to get the stew in her hand.
“Mom, you’ve been up the entire night. Let me take care of Steven. You should get some rest with Dad.”
Staring at me angrily, she pushed me away without a word.
I lifted my head and stared at her, sadness engulfing me. But before I could open my mouth, she spoke in an accusatory tone.
“Why are you here? Is it not enough what you’ve done to Stevie?”
Evidently, she still blamed me for everything that happened to Steven. But he was the one who got into the gambling debt. How’s that my fault? Why does no one try to understand my feelings?
I could no longer suppress my indignance as my eyes brimmed with tears while staring at my mother. “Mom, why are you putting all the blame on me? Steven has completed the operation, and I’ve paid all the expenses. So why do you still treat me like this?”
I choked on my words while saying that. I used to tolerate everything she said about me, but she had crossed the line that day. After all, I was still a human with emotions.
“Yes, you did pay for the operation, but where did you get that money? Didn’t you say that you have no money? The operation cost around a hundred thousand, right?”
My complaint did not seem to touch her at all. On the contrary, she became more enraged as she began suspecting me.
“I…”
I wanted to tell her the truth, but I could not reveal my relationship with Michael. How could I be honest and say that the money came from a man because I slept with him? How could I live with dignity in front of my family in the future if they were to find out?
“Why? Nothing to say anymore? The truth is, you had the money all along, didn’t you? You just didn’t want to help your brother. If you have taken out the money sooner, Steven won’t be lying in bed right now!”
Her words stabbed at my heart like a sharp knife, leaving it dripping blood.
I had shamelessly sold my body to Michael for the money, yet my mother still misunderstood me.
Staring at her, I started weeping. It was only then that I realized what kind of person I was in her eyes. Didn’t she see everything that I’ve done for this family? How could she think of me like that?
“Mom, am I such a cruel person in your eyes? Do you know how much I’ve sacrificed in order to get this money? Why do you never care for me but instead keep on complaining about everything I do?”
I looked her in the eyes calmly. I really could not wrap my head around how she was treating me. It was as though I was not her biological daughter.
What have I done wrong? I’m your child too. How could you discriminate against me? Is it just because I’m a girl?
Ever since I was young, I had realized my parents’ unfair love toward their son. Initially, I thought the care for Steven only exceeded mine just for a little. But as time went by, I found out that I was like a complete outsider in their eyes.
“Do you think it’s easy raising you? Isn’t it reasonable for you to help the family financially? How could you think that we’ve wronged you?”
Regardless of how heartbroken I was, my mother did not seem to show any sign of compassion for me. Her gaze toward me was still unyieldingly cold as if I was nobody but a stranger.
“That’s not what I meant. It’s my obligation to help the family, and I’m happy to do what I can. I just want you to care about me more. Is that too much to ask for?”
As I spoke, tears streamed down my face like water rushing from a broken dam. I looked at my mother like a naive kid, still anticipating her love.
I thought that after my confession and pleading, she would understand my feelings and change her stance. I would be satisfied if she just gave me a word of care.
However, it seemed that my expectation was nothing but wishful thinking. Upon hearing what I said, her expression changed to that of annoyance.
“Your brother is already in such a sorry state, and yet all you’re thinking about is yourself? How could you be so selfish?”
That was what I got after pouring out my heart.
“That’s enough. Could you two please cut it out? Don’t you see Stevie is in pain now? Stop making a fuss around here.”
My father, who was usually the quiet one, had finally run out of his patience.
Hearing his voice, I swallowed all the words I wanted to say and strode toward the bed. Gazing at Steven’s pale face, my heart twitched in pain.
“How are you feeling? Does it still hurts?”
Even though I disapproved of Steven’s way of life, he was still my brother. Looking at him in pain, I felt as though a thousand needles were stabbing through my heart.
If he did not start gambling, he would not have been in this state now.
