The Unveiled Rose
Chapter 24

"Can you honestly imagine them getting married? Will Nigel ever catch a break? Amara, even if you won't think about yourself, think about Nigel. He's your own flesh and blood. Can you bear to see him mistreated?"

At first, I couldn't. I always put him first and was terrified of him facing even the slightest hardship.

But what did that get me?

It led to him hurting himself and hurting me, all to push me aside for his stepmom!

I no longer felt the need to explain myself, simply saying, "She treats him well."

Mom didn't take kindly to my retort: "But does she treat him as well as his own mother would?"

I scoffed, "Seems like it since he's calling her 'mom' every day."

Mom frowned, clearly not expecting Nigel to go that far. She didn't know what to say; she just held my hand in silence.

But at that moment, I felt the urge to pour my heart out. "Leander likes her, Nigel likes her. In our own house, I've become the outsider. If that's the case, I don't want this family anymore."

"Oh, honey." Mom looked disappointed. "Nigel's still young and doesn't understand. She gives him a bit of sweetness, and he's off following her. If you give up over this little issue, then when she and Leander get married, she'll make sure all the family wealth goes to her own kids. By then, Nigel won't get a dime."

She earnestly tried to make me see the pros and cons, hoping I'd realize how dire Nigel's situation could become if I abandoned him.

But she didn't know my heart had already turned cold, devoid of any pity for Nigel.

"This was Nigel's choice, Mom. So, he should face the consequences."

Seeing that even bringing up Nigel couldn't persuade me, Mom realized I had truly lost all hope.

She gently patted my hand. "Amara, even if not for them, do it for me. Please hold on a bit longer?"

Hearing that made my tears unstoppable.

She was my only family in this world.

But she still wanted me to go back to those who hurt me.

I couldn't hold back anymore. "Hold on, I'm always the one who has to hold on. But I hurt, too. I'm in pain!"

She seemed taken aback, clearly not prepared for how to continue persuading me.

But I saw through her intentions. She probably hoped I could be like her generation...

Endure the pain until the end.

Feeling suffocated by this conversation, I didn't say another word and walked away.

I was alone on the wide street, watching the passersby and the distant lights...

I suddenly felt so lost.

In such a big city, there seemed nowhere that could accommodate me.

***

I had nowhere to go and no desire to return home.

Even the last of my savings were spent on a child's grave, leaving me penniless. I had no choice but to return to the hospital.

As I opened the door to my room, I noticed a stranger's silhouette.

He was in a suit, tall and imposing, holding a little girl's hand.

I paused at the door, double-checking the room number to make sure I wasn't mistaken.

This was indeed my room.

I took the initiative to speak up. "I think you might have the wrong room."

The man turned around and extended his hand towards me. "This is no mistake. We're here to see you."