Chapter 10

I sank deeper into the mire.

Sometimes forgetting to take my medicine.

Other times swallowing a handful in one go.

I started cutting my arms again.

New wounds on top of the shallow scars that were almost healed a year ago.

But not fatal.

Later, the medicine bottle was empty.

I don't know how I got through it.

In a daze, I made it to my sister's death anniversary.

That day, the weather cleared.

I got up early, tidied my messy self, and bought a bouquet of flowers.

But when I got there.

Someone had already arrived before me.

Mom stood there, the grave covered with various offerings.

Expressionless, I walked up, placed my flowers down.

Just as I turned to leave, something heavy hit my head.

I staggered, almost falling.

The flowers I had carefully wrapped scattered, strewn all over the ground.

Her voice was filled with deep hatred, hysterically yelling at me:

"What are you doing here?"

"Aren't you a murderer? How dare you show your face here?!"

But as she cursed, she started crying:

"The one who should've died was you!"

I didn't turn back.

My head felt dizzy, as if I were standing on the edge of a cliff.

I clenched my hand, forcing myself to stay calm and leave.

Sitting in the car, I saw the doctor's message.

She asked why I hadn't come.

I stared at her profile picture, took a long time to type out a reply:

—Sorry, something came up.

Her response was quick.

—I'll reschedule, when can you come?

Forget it.

The cursor in the input box blinked.

In the end, I didn't send anything.

—Let's schedule next time.

Kieran came home early for the first time in a while.

It wasn't Nora who brought him home, but another male subordinate.

When he got back, I was squinting at the empty medicine bottle.

It's been empty for a long time.

The male subordinate helped Kieran onto the sofa, politely said goodbye to me.