Chapter 6

I had worn it for so many years, surviving two car accidents without a scratch. Never did I imagine it would be snapped off by Lydia's hand today.

The pendant necklace shattered into pieces, and so did my heart.

With trembling hands, I tried to piece it back together, but it was hopeless.

My heart ached terribly, tears streaming down my face.

Before I could even react in anger, Lydia leaned in close to my ear and said icily:

"It‘s so hard to kill you, isn’t it? Two car accidents and you're still not dead."

As she finished, a sinister smile crept across her lips.

She bent down and whispered into my ear, enunciating each word:

"Your brother was different though. One little push and he was gone."

"When he died, he was coughing up blood."

"He was coughing and vomiting, blood coming from his mouth and nose."

"But he wasn't muttering about brotherly love or anything like that."

"In his final moments, all he could think about was the chicken soup he made for you."

My whole body shook uncontrollably.

My mind was filled with memories of my brother talking to me.

He was always so gentle, always smiling as he said:

"The chicken soup is ready, I've put it in the fridge."

"Make sure you eat it when you get home from work."

"My little sister's health isn't great, she needs to get more nutrients. It's okay if she puts on a little weight."

"My sister was cutest when she had her baby fat."...

My brother's gentle voice intertwins with Lydia's icy words.

My brain feels like it's being drenched in sulfuric acid.

Every inch of my skin feels as if it's been flayed and tossed into a searing hot pan.

The agony is unbearable.

My rage reaches a boiling point.

I jerk my head up, lunge forward, and unleash a vicious slap across Lydia's face.

"Murderer!" I practically roar.

Before my hand even makes contact, Lydia collapses to the ground in theatrical fashion.

She clutches her cheek, gazing up at me with tear-filled eyes.

Her face is a mask of disbelief.

"I was only telling the truth. Why did you hit me?"

My entire body trembles as I start to cough.

Even my voice quivers.

"Harvey, my chest hurts so bad. I don't know if it's from the car accident."

Harvey rushes over, wrapping his arms around Lydia and pulling her back.

He looks at me, utterly shocked, demanding to know why I struck Lydia.

The way he's staring at me, it's like I'm some kind of deranged monster.

"Isabella, did the crash scramble your brain or something?"

"How could you lay a hand on Lydia?"

"Don't you know how kind and gentle Lydia is?"

"She wouldn't even step on an ant, and you actually hit her?" I look at Harvey, feeling like he's become a stranger to me.

Snowflakes fall silently, and in the quietness, I can only hear my own heartbeat.

I remember the first year we were together.

It was snowing then too.

I saw a child wearing a white dog-shaped hat.

I casually mentioned how cute it was.

Harvey, in an effort to buy one for me, searched half the city.

That day, he was dressed lightly, running in below-freezing temperatures.

Finally, he bought the hat and put it on my head.

His eyes were warm as he used his hands to tighten the hat around my head, covering my ears.

With tears in my eyes, I asked him:

"Was it worth running all over half the city just to buy this for me?"

Harvey gently stroked my hair and kissed my forehead.

His hands were always warm.

He said softly:

"Because white suits you, and because you're worth it."

That night, the sky was filled with fireworks.

As they burst, their bright light colored the frost-covered trees.

The night sky seemed to hide countless stars, with colors so brilliantly vibrant.