Chapter 1Pout or Suicide? My Brother’s Mad Regret

Two days after I ran away from home, my brother, Jake, found me at the entrance of a hospital.

He grabbed the front of my shirt, his eyes bloodshot with fury.

“You run away just because I slapped you? Are you trying to kill me with worry? Is that it?!”

“When are you going to stop this? I’m begging you, Nina. Can’t you just be sensible, like Sophie?”

This time, I didn’t try to explain. I didn’t argue.

I just followed him home in silence, ready to play the part of the perfect, sensible sister.

He hated it when I cried, so I never shed another tear.

He called me stingy, so I gave everything I owned to Sophie.

Jake thought I was just being sullen, trying to see how long I could keep up the act.

But he didn't know. I wasn't acting. I’d just stopped hoping.

The day I left, I had gone to the hospital.

That slap had deafened me in one ear.

It also led to an unexpected diagnosis: leukemia.

For the days I had left, all I wanted was peace.

And I hoped that in my next life, I wouldn’t have a brother.

…

On New Year's Eve, Jake celebrated with Sophie.

He paid for it with my money.

Our grandmother had left me a savings card with ten thousand dollars on it, meant for my wedding someday. A few days ago, Jake had called me selfish. So, I gave all my valuable possessions to Sophie.

Including that card.

My phone buzzed relentlessly with transaction notifications.

First, a five-thousand-dollar charge for fireworks.

Then, a lavish dinner.

Finally, a nightclub.

At the stroke of midnight, the remaining five hundred dollars was withdrawn.

Sophie posted a story for all to see:

【Best. Brother. Ever. Don't be jealous!】

The picture was of her hand, resting suggestively on some handsome guy's abs. Jake had apparently hired three male dancers for her.

Jake was wealthy, the owner of several companies. Spending my last dime and letting Sophie flaunt it like that… it was deliberate. He thought I was still holding a grudge and was testing my limits, waiting for me to break.

But my heart was a placid lake, without a single ripple.

My stomach was empty, so I went to the kitchen and made myself some noodles. After eating, I took my medication.

I was about to throw the empty pill bottle away when the front door swung open. I jumped, and the bottle slipped from my grasp, rolling under the coffee table.

Jake was drunk. He saw me standing there, frozen, and sneered.

“Still awake? Couldn’t sleep? Too busy thinking about all the money I spent?”

Before I could answer, he mumbled to himself, “Three months of this silent treatment. You’ve really got some stamina.”

“Nina,” he said, his voice laced with contempt, “let’s see how long you can keep this act up.”

He stumbled.

I rushed to steady him, but Sophie shoved me aside.

“Can’t you see he’s drunk? Stop causing trouble.”

Pushed to the side, I watched as she guided Jake into his bedroom. I quietly picked up the jacket he had dropped on the floor, hung it up, and went to the kitchen to get him a glass of hot water.

I was about to take it to him when Sophie emerged from his room.

She looked at me with pure disgust.

“What’s your problem, Nina?”

“You already ran away. Why didn’t you just disappear? Why did you let him find you?”