Why should I hurt myself over the mistakes of a bunch of worthless people? I should live longer than all of them, live better than any of them, and stay as far away as possible from those who drag me into despair.
The crowd was growing. I didn’t want this farce to continue.
Just as I was about to leave, Fiona, acting as if she understood everything, spoke up. “Jolene, Grandma’s surgery is over. It was a success. If you don’t believe me, check the family group chat.”
She approached cautiously, holding up her phone. On the screen was a short message confirming the surgery’s
success,
Then, right below it, Mom had posted a paternity test report with a comment: [Jolene really isn’t our biological daughter. We don’t know the details yet, but no wonder she grew up to be such an ungrateful wretch. @Fiona, baby, from now on, you’re my only daughter.]
And then, she removed me from the group.
She probably deleted my contact as well.
Fiona seemed unaware of the bombshell.below the surgery update. She gently grabbed my hand. “Jolene, Grandma is still waiting for you. Let’s go back.”
Tears streamed down her face as she tried to pull me away, but in the next instant, her grip tightened and, with a swift push, she sent me tumbling over the edge.
From the rooftop, I fell.
I didn’t die.
By sheer luck, a terrace jutted out from the middle floors of the building. By sheer misfortune, I landed on
someone.
He took most of the impact. In the end, he was wheeled away in an ambulance, while I walked away with a few bandages wrapped around my head.
The guilt gnawed at me, so I followed him to the hospital. Only after he had been fully bandaged and placed in a hospital bed did I finally find the chance to apologize.
“I’m sorry. I’ll find a way to pay for your medical bills.”
The guy, now wrapped like a mummy with only his face exposed, waved a hand weakly. The motion seemed to cost him, and after a long pause, he winced and let out a strained groan. Then, with a miserable blink, he muttered, “No need to pay me back. Just pour me a cup of warm water.”
I helped him drink, and as he rested his head against the pillow, his eyes softened. “Listen. It sounds like people are arguing outside.”
He and Grandma were in the same hospital. Just down the hall was her room, yet I still hadn’t found the time to check on her. When I turned to look outside, I saw the commotion.
