Chapter 5

Evelyn moved into my bedroom. Meanwhile, I didn't bother moving into her old bedroom. I just settled in a random guest bedroom for the time being. The housekeepers prepared damp and chilly bedding for me, but it was fine. I decided to sleep in my coat since I only had a few more days left. I only needed to endure this period, and everything would be over for good. … Little did I know that I would face something much worse the next morning. I had just awoken and came downstairs, only to see the shelf dedicated to holding my late mother's photo in a wreck. Someone had thrown Mom's photo to the floor, smashing the glass from the photo frame. They had also stomped all over the photo until it creased with many shoe marks. It contorted the face of my smiling mother. Now, she looked more like she was crying in agony at me. Even the blueberries I had placed on the shelf for Mom had scattered all over the ground. Evelyn's precious dog was eating it up while she stood aside, clapping and cheering it on. I froze on the spot and felt all the blood in my body gushing to my head. All my common sense and intentions to tolerate things vanished. I grabbed a nearby vase and threw it at the dog like a lunatic. That startled the dog, who ran away. As for Evelyn, she shrieked when one of the vase's shards cut her arm. "What are you doing, Ruth? How could you attack your sister?" Dad thundered. By then, Evelyn had already thrown herself into his arms while bawling her eyes out. "Dad, save me! Ruth's trying to kill me…" "You're getting more and more out of hand, Ruth!" "Can't you see this? Evelyn tossed the blueberries I offered Mom onto the floor and damaged Mom's photo!" My entire body trembled as tears glided down my cheek continually. I felt wronged and upset for Mom. Yet, Dad only frowned at the mess on the floor. "That still doesn't give you a reason to harm Evelyn!" "Dad…" "Ruth, it's been a long time since your mother passed. How can a dead person matter more than the living?" Evelyn bore a pale expression and timidly spoke. "Dad, my dog knocked over the blueberries by accident. I wanted to apologize to Ruth, but she attacked me immediately after coming downstairs. She tried to bash me with the vase before I could say anything…" She raised a bleeding arm and pouted pitifully at Dad. "I think it's best if Mom and I just move out…" "Animals don't know any better. Shouldn't you, a HUMAN, know better?" Dad glared at me and suddenly raised his hand to slap me hard. I forgot to dodge in that instant. Dad was also stunned by what had happened. However, he ultimately said nothing and took Evelyn away to deal with her wound. I watched the two leave. It took me a long while before I felt the stinging pain on my face and held my swollen cheek. As my tears fell, I couldn't help but let out a self-deprecating scoff. I knew then and there that I no longer had a place in this home.