Chapter 2The Ghost in the ICU

Predictably, Mom’s face darkened. "Sending a selfish brat like him to Harvard would be a waste. God knows what he'd learn over there."

Caleb sighed. "Don't be mad at him, Mom. He must have his reasons."

Mom’s eyes went soft. "You're just too kind, Caleb. That's why he bullies you."

Caleb was a master at this. He knew exactly what to say to make them hate me.

I knew that even if I stood before them and listed every evil thing he’d ever done, they would just slap me and call me a liar.

Just then, my sister, Sarah, burst into the room. She had flown in from out of state the second she heard the news.

Like Mom and Dad, she only had eyes for Caleb.

After fussing over him and confirming he was fine, she glared at the empty space where she assumed I should be. "I told you Ethan is bad luck. Ever since Caleb was born, Ethan has been trying to ruin him."

Caleb grabbed her hand. "Don't be mad, sis. Even if Ethan steered the car into traffic, I'm sure he didn't mean to."

The room exploded.

Dad slammed the table. "What? He steered into traffic?"

Mom gritted her teeth. "That animal. I am done with him."

Sarah looked like she wanted to tear me apart with her bare hands.

Caleb’s heart rate monitor spiked slightly—he was afraid he’d overplayed his hand. "Mom, Dad, Sarah, please don't be mad at him. Maybe I remembered it wrong. He's my brother; he wouldn't do that."

Sarah poked his forehead tenderly. "You are too innocent for this world. You don't know how dark people's hearts can be."

"I must have saved a country in my past life to have a son like you," Mom said, stroking his hair. "We're done with that bad seed. Let's just focus on getting you better."

The golden sunset filtered through the blinds, illuminating the happy family of four.

I watched them, an overwhelming bitterness rising in my spirit.

I didn't belong here. I wasn't family. I was a stray dog they kicked when they were bored.

I wanted to leave, but my soul was tethered to my mother. I couldn't speak. I could only watch as they continued to humiliate my memory.