After Breaking Up with My Adopted Brother

During my first month in the hospital, I got my hands on a phone. I called my father, only to learn he was dead.

Eason's voice was frigid on the other end of the line.

"Crystal, your father is dead."

"He had a heart attack. The shock of finding out we'd been secretly sleeping together for years... that you'd been sent to a psychiatric facility... it killed him."

"Back then, your father used dirty tricks to crush my father's company. He destroyed my family. I was just getting my revenge."

Eason’s words were a volley of poison-tipped needles, each one piercing my heart.

For three years, the poison seeped in, causing unbearable pain.

Until, eventually, my heart went numb.

After finishing the last bite on my plate, I sat quietly on the sofa, watching the football game on TV.

Soon, raised voices erupted from the terrace.

"Eason Reed, what the hell was that?!"

"What do you mean I'm overstepping?"

"You proposed to me! What's wrong with me saying something?!"

"That Crystal Davis *is* a psycho! Am I wrong?!"

Bonny shrieked before throwing the door open and storming out.

The room fell silent. I stared blankly at the television.

Until Eason sat down beside me.

"Crystal, do you hate me?"

"These past three years… have you hated me?"

I still just shook my head.

Eason's voice suddenly rose, cracking.

He gripped my shoulders, the corners of his eyes turning red.

"Crystal, you *should* hate me!"

"What right do you have not to hate me?!"

His grip was painful. I turned my head to look at him.

"Eason, do you remember the day I called you?"

"The orderlies found out. They called for your permission to give me ECT."

"You agreed."