Chapter 5 The so-called family.

I bowed my head, silent for a moment. Time ticked by as if centuries had passed. I knew it was time to speak up now:

"Not yet. Today, I'm bringing Alan to meet the family."

Richard's stern face and Mia's look of gleeful anticipation, like a nosy neighbor hoping for my trouble, made me want to laugh.

They were falling into the path I had set.

After some meaningless small talk, I signaled to Alan that it was time to leave. The man called my husband stood up gracefully, nodding politely to the homeowners across from us.

Honestly, I still didn't think Alan looked much like a destitute wanderer. My only worry about this suspicion was the payment after our contract ended... I hoped Alan wouldn't think the pay too meager and go on strike halfway through. I couldn't handle playing both roles myself!

However, that would be a problem for another time. Right now, I needed to confront these once familiar people.

My face reddened, smiling as I hugged Alan's arm and said to Richard and his wife:

"We're heading home now, we'll visit you some other time. Hope to hear good news from you two soon!"

My eyes twinkled towards Mia's stomach, my words full of implication, causing a different expression on the couple's faces.

Richard tenderly wrapped his arm around his wife and replied, "Thank you. It won't be long."

An ordinary expression for a newly married man, basking in the sweetness of love.

But Mia's expression froze for a second, and that was something else. Though she soon turned to hug her husband, shyly whispering, "If you say that, you'll make Alice laugh!" The couple looked beautiful and romantic.

I smiled silently, but deep down, I was curious, if the hidden truth was one day revealed, how comical that romantic image would become.

It was something to look forward to.

Alan and I left the house filled with Richard and Mia's deep love. Only when they waved goodbye and slammed the door shut, could I drop the fake smile from my lips.

In everyone's memory, I was the one obsessed with Richard, following him around all day. Little did they know it was all an act of revenge.

I hated him.

My hatred grew with every moment he thought he was treating me well.

Because I was the bad one.

So I despised all those better than me.

Oh, I was such a wretched creature filled with evil, societal trash with thoughts of trampling everything beautiful.

Yes, it was all my fault.

Suddenly, a large hand was placed on my head and stroked gently.

I flinched, confused, looking up at the only person who could touch me at that moment.

The shadowy man didn't speak a word, didn't utter nonsense, all Alan did was comfort me.

I was going mad.

After all the obscured things on Alan, why did I feel comforted?

Did I crave such consolation?

Though I had never been touched so gently before, I wouldn't demean myself like that! A vile emotion was rising in me, wanting to shake off his hand immediately and scold this impertinent wanderer, even though his action brought peace to my heart for a few seconds.

But then Alan withdrew his hand, quickly, as if the separation had never happened. It was so swift I thought it was all a hallucination. The warmth on my head teasingly disappeared, leaving me feeling empty.

Ha ha, Alice. You are indeed a creature of insatiable greed.

I scolded myself and turned away, pretending it was all just a dream. Yes, a fleeting, meaningless dream.

Unbeknownst to me, behind that disheveled hair, the man's eyes still intently followed my every move, like a wild beast curiously observing its uninterested prey.

...

Alan and I stood before a rather old house, he tilted his head at me as if asking where we were.

Ah, right, I hadn't told him yet. Today's purpose wasn't just to bring Alan to meet Richard, but the main subject I wanted to introduce Alan to was inside. The last ones in my plan.

I calmly rang the doorbell.

While waiting, I tightly held Alan's hand. This surprised him into wanting to withdraw, but then my sharp look seemed to make him behave. The initial struggle ceased, all that was left was silence between two strangers.

Click.

The sound of the door opening, followed by the curious voice of a middle-aged woman.

"Alice?"

The woman was shocked to see me and Alan, she hadn't received any notice of this sudden visit. As if by an old habit, I flashed a feeble smile and began, "Mo..."

Slap!!!

Before I could finish, a harsh slap struck my face, stunning me. Followed by a barrage of scolding.

"Do you even know to come back?"

I retracted my smile, bowed my head, and sneered.

Oh Lord, I had almost forgotten this feeling. To this woman, I was nothing but a despicable tool to be trampled upon.

"Get in here, with your filthy beggar of a boyfriend!" The woman swung open the door and glared at Alan and me, obviously lumping me and the wanderer together as the dregs of society.

I glanced at Alan, a wave of guilt washing over me. I had dragged him into this. He seemed to sense my gaze, his rough, calloused hand gently squeezing mine as if to remind me.

It was funny that, in that moment, I actually felt a sense of peace. The vile memories momentarily buried.

When you have nothing left, the slightest warmth from a stranger can move you, no matter how fragile it may be.

I closed my eyes tightly, trying to control the softness that had just emerged. Then, when a mocking voice rang out, I knew it was my brother, Brian Wayner.

"Look, Mom, our dear sister is as unruly as ever. She didn't bring us anything today!" I looked towards the source of the sound. Brian was the same old chubby, clumsy boy, his hands never empty. I saw a half-eaten slice of pizza in his left hand, and a greasy chicken drumstick dripping sauce in his right... still as repulsive as ever.

"Did you hear what your brother said! You ungrateful thing!!!" My mother scolded and grabbed my hair as if to slap me again. But then, something seemed to stop her, and she let go, although her mouth kept on cursing: "You're useless, sit down. Your father and I have something to tell you!"

I braced myself against the wall to steady myself. Then I slowly moved towards the dirtiest, most worn-out chair in the living room. This was my designated chair, a 'gift' from my brother on my birthday.

What had Brian said then?

"Only this suits a bastard like you!"

Ha. In their eyes, I was the bastard, the filth that stank up the house.

It had always been that way.

As soon as I sat down, my mother started berating me: "I don't care what you are to this wretch! But break it off now!" She examined Alan with a look of disdain from head to toe, then continued her scolding: "We've arranged a proper marriage for you! He's a bit older but a good man!"

As she spoke, she threw a picture of a man in a suit at me. My mother's idea of 'a bit older' was an eighty-year-old pervert, the city's most infamous for replacing his wives seven times over.

The purpose of marrying me off to him was clear. It was nothing more than selling me off for some extra cash for the precious son of the Wayner household.

It had always been like this.

I am the sister who must give way. I am the sister who must sacrifice for her brother. I am the eldest child, so I must strive to support this parasitic family.

How disgusting.

But, Mother dear, you must know, I cannot obey you. Because I have yet to prepare a grand gift for this family. If I go to that old man, who will 'take care' of everyone here?

I quietly observed the three people who were my family in name only. My brother was contemptuous, my mother yelled like a madwoman, and my father always silent, as if nothing concerned him.

This is my family.

These are the three ghosts that have haunted me all my life.

This is the only place I can return to. Yet each time I come back, my body is torn to shreds, my heart no longer whole.

People may call me greedy, demanding too much of what isn't mine. But the people in front of me have no right to say that.

And soon, they won't have the chance to say anything at all.