Chapter 5

We lived in Building 4, Unit 3.

So Dad picked up his phone and cheerfully shared the gossip with Mom.

"Someone in the group says there's been a murder in our building."

"Before I came home, were the neighbors on the seventh floor beating their kid? Everyone's saying there was noise but then it went silent, and they suspect the kid was killed."

"These people really have wild imaginations."

Mom casually set down the phone that was still livestreaming in a corner.

Then she picked up Dad's phone and started sending voice messages.

"Kids have self-respect when they grow up. You can't just hit them all the time. Educating children requires proper methods. We should become friends with our children, connect with them emotionally, and guide them in positive directions."

People who didn't really know my mom only vaguely knew she used to be a teacher, so they eagerly agreed.

[Teachers really are more educated. That's very well said.]

[Auntie is so reasonable. I wish you were my mom.]

My mom glanced toward the bathroom and sighed meaningfully.

"See, you saw the messages in the group."

"Everyone envies you for having a mom like me—only you don't appreciate it!"

Watching my mom's performance made me sick.

The neighbors continued their heated discussion.

The woman from the seventh floor suddenly spoke up.

[Nonsense! My kid just spilled the soup I made. If you don't believe me, I'll beat him again so you can hear.]

[That's strange then.]

[I'm on the second floor and there's backflow—it's red, RED!]

[I'm calling the police!]

Everyone was suddenly alarmed.

After waiting a few more minutes, Dad began to worry.

"What if something happened to Alice?"

"It's not appropriate for me to go in. Why don't you check on her?"

My mom crossed her arms. "I'm not going!"

Watching the joy on Dad's face turn to worry, my heart ached.

Dad walked anxiously to the bathroom door.

"Alice, even if you don't want to talk to Mom and Dad, can you at least tap on the bathtub?"

Suddenly, the constantly vibrating phone fell from the counter with a loud crash.

Mom roared furiously.

"See! This is what you've spoiled her into! Not coming out is one thing, but now she's throwing tantrums at us!"

Dad sighed, turned back to calm Mom down, and occasionally rubbed his chest.

"But my heart... I just can't shake this bad feeling!"

As they argued, the doorbell rang.

Two police officers stood outside. They routinely checked every household's bathroom.

After getting no response from me, the police forcibly broke down the door.

When they saw what was inside, everyone present was shocked.

Mom sat down hard on the floor, her face full of panic and disbelief.

Dad's legs gave out and he collapsed to his knees in front of the bathroom, letting out a piercing scream.