Chapter 4

Don't cry.

Killing is illegal. I don't want you to ruin the rest of your life because of me.

The words were on the tip of my tongue, but I couldn't form a complete sentence.

I raised my own arm and bit down hard.

A metallic taste of blood spread from my teeth.

A visible bite mark quickly appeared on my arm.

It hurt, but I still raised my hand and slowly said:

"I hurt too, don't cry."

Jake froze, staring at the wound on my hand, unable to speak.

Chloe rushed over frantically, grabbed the first-aid kit, and began bandaging Jake's wound.

Her face was ashen.

"Jake, are you crazy? If you killed him, you'd go to jail!"

"Are you really going to throw away the rest of your life for an idiot?"

She disinfected the wound, trembling all the while.

Her eyes were filled with despair and helplessness.

Jake watched the scene unfold, then let out a soft sigh.

"I just wanted to die with him. That way, you could still live a normal life."

"Don't let us brothers burden you forever."

The atmosphere in the living room was heavy and silent.

I hung my head helplessly, feeling a wave of despair.

I thought, I should have died sooner.

I should have gone quietly, to a place where no one would know.

But Chloe forcibly dragged me into the attic room.

Inside were my favorite toys and my favorite snacks.

All the corners of the furniture had soft pads on them.

She looked at me, her voice softening.

"From now on, I'll change your food every day."

"You eat nicely and sleep nicely, okay?"

I nodded vigorously.

The word "nicely" was good.

I remembered when I first woke up, countless tubes sticking out of my body.

Chloe stood outside the isolation window, mouthing to me:

"Heal nicely. When you're better, I'll marry you."

I didn't know what "marry" meant, but I knew it was a sign that Chloe would always be with me.

So, I endured the torment of my illness.

I underwent hundreds of re-examinations and finally learned to walk.

With every step I took, Chloe would kiss me.

"Leo, you're so good, you're amazing!"

In those first few years, she often used "good" to praise me.

I blinked, and tears actually fell from my eyes.

But I still obediently said:

"Okay, I'll listen."

I knew I couldn't die in this room.

I had to go far, far away, to a place no one knew.

So, I secretly made a phone call.