"By the way Mom.."
Sangwon looked out of his window.
"It feels like life isn't going the way I want it to"
He looked back at the photo of his late mother.
"I want to escape..."
"But I don't know where to go...
I have nowhere to turn.."
He wiped the tears that escaped.
Folding his lips trying to keep in his muffled cries. "This is all his fault. He killed you. He took away everything from me as usual."
Sangwon's face twitched in anger remembering Junseo. Their mother was Sangwon's only source of sanity. As their father only favored and pampered Junseo, Sangwon only had his mother.
The only person who made him feel he was worth being a human. The only person who actually listened to his nonexistent voice.
Junseo took her away.
Like he always does.
He closed his eyes as the memories of that day—memories of a bloody Junseo—came back.
Alone.
-
Junseo locked the door to his room, rushing to his table as he opened a small medicine chest. He quickly popped some pills into his mouth, his shaking hand knocking over his cup of water.
He clutched his sides in pain as he fell to the floor. Hot tears streamed down his face as he panted heavily.
His eyes locked with a picture. A picture of their mother.
A bitter chuckle left him.
"This.. This must be my karma"
Four years ago...
Sixteen-year-old Junseo dragged their mother. "Come onnnn you said you'd let me" He whined.
Twelve-year-old Sangwon quietly walked beside their mother. He touched her hand, getting her attention. 'What does Hyung want?'
Their mother rubbed Sangwon's head smiling. "He wants me to let him drive one of the cars"
Sangwon looked at Junseo. It was Junseo, of course he would end up driving the car. He always gets what he wants.
"Pleaseeee" Junseo pleaded. Their mother sighed. "On one condition. I'll have to be in the car with you" Their mother said.
Junseo's eyes widened in excitement as he immediately hugged her.
Sangwon possessively held her hand, the fear behind his mind reminding him that Junseo could steal her away from him.
'But he can't drive well'
"Hey! I'm a professional now- Don't worry, when I come back I'll take you on a ride" Junseo said pinching Sangwon's cheek.
Sangwon scoffed and looked away.
Their mother turned to Sangwon.
"Wait for us here okay? We'll be back"
Sangwon smiled back at her as he nodded. His hand hesitated to let go. Before he could even let go, Junseo interlocked arms with her and pulled her away.
-
"Junseo! Careful! You almost hit that car!"
Their mother hit Junseo's arm. Junseo chuckled. "Relax, I know how to drive.."
"I don't remember when last I actually smiled like this.." Junseo continued.
Their mother sighed. "Junseo, your father will change one day, he won't always be rough on you like this forever.."
Junseo bitterly smiled. "I want to believe that but I don't think that day will come"
"Junseo.. I'm sorry for not protecting you and Sangwon from him.. I should have–
"Stop stop- don't blame yourself for his actions Mother. And it's fine. I'm here to protect you two. If it takes my life, I don't mind"
His mother sadly smiled at him as she rubbed his head. "I'm really proud of you Junseo"
Junseo turned his head to her, a smile on his face. "Mother–
Junseo couldn't finish his words as a loud bang was heard. Their car flipped off its wheels as it rolled out of the road into the woods.
Junseo slowly opened his eyes, immediately getting hit by an excruciating pain. His sight blurred by the blood that trailed into his eyes.
He raised his left hand seeing a large piece of glass piercing out of it. His mouth opened in pain, not a sound coming out.
He looked to his side seeing a tree branch poking out of his side. Muffled groans left him as he tried pulling it out, blood gushing out.
Pressing his hand over it, his eyes widened. As if he had forgotten his pain, he quickly turned his head to his mother.
His eyes widened even further. "M-Mother.."
He called wincing in pain. "Mother.." He called again as tears began to form when she didn't reply.
"Mo–
"Sangwon.." His mother's low voice spoke.
Junseo's eyes widened. "M-mother.. wait.. I.. I'll look for help–
He felt his mother hold his hand. She weakly shook her head. Her eyes still closed.
"Please... Sangwon.."
That was it. Her words before her hand slid off Junseo's.
Present
Junseo closed his eyes as he quietly cried.
"Please.. don't be proud of me... I killed you... I failed you.."
-
Jia Hao folded his lips. He could hear his parents arguing, yelling at each other.
He scoffed. On the outside, when they're with other Ministers and high-calibre families, they'd act like they're perfect.
He closed his eyes trying not to concentrate on the negative thoughts that were clouding his head.
He could still hear his parents arguing. He blamed himself. He was one of the main reasons they argued. Last year, they caught him kissing a boy.
Jia Hao's first crush. A boy who sold fish at the market. He couldn't even get to say goodbye as his parents banished him and his family from the community.
He gritted his teeth remembering the hurtful words his parents called him, the flogging and punishment he got.
All because he kissed a boy.
His eyes began to sting as tears formed.
He immediately opened his eyes when he heard a knock on his window.
He went closer and opened his curtains. He saw Anxin looking at him nervously. He opened the window.
Anxin bowed. "I uhm.. Young master, I'm sorry but it's impor—
Jia Hao immediately pulled him in, hugging him.