Goodbye, My Brother

Part 3

I followed my brother all the way home.

On the way, he bought Rochelle's favorite sunflowers and picked out Rochelle's favorite durian cake.

My brother called Rochelle several times with satisfaction, but no one answered. So, he panicked and was afraid that something might happen to Rochelle. As a result, he overtook her ten times and cut her off eight times along the way.

Since I was in the passenger seat, I could clearly sense my brother's inner panic. But then, I felt a bit disappointed that he didn’t show that expression when I didn’t answer his call some time ago.

After arriving, my brother got out of the car and ran home. His hand stopped on the door handle, shaking but not daring to use force.

"Rochelle." My brother's voice was shaking.

I had only seen that kind of panic on his face when my parents died.

Soon, the door opened with a click. Rochelle rubbed her sleepy eyes. Her eyes full of aggravation when he asked, "Brother, what took you so long? Did you forget what day it is today?"

I envy Rochelle for being able to blame her brother without restraint. Those who are loved were always fearless. Unlike me, I could only weakly pray for a birthday blessing from my brother but couldn’t get it in the end.

When my brother confirmed that Rochelle was fine, his whole body relaxed. Then, he hugged Rochelle tightly as if he had regained what he had lost while saying, "Rochelle, why didn't you answer the call? I was scared to death."

"Brother, I'm sorry, I fell asleep waiting for you."

Rochelle was full of apology, her voice choked with sobs.

My brother was most afraid of Rochelle crying, so he immediately coaxed her in a gentle voice, “Rochelle, I will never forget such an important day."

My brother pulled out an old jewelry box from his pocket like a magic trick and said happily, “Happy birthday, my lovely Rochelle."

When I saw what was in the box, I rushed to grab it like madman, but I couldn't stop my brother from taking out the jade pendant and putting it around Rochelle's neck.

That was obviously a birthday gift my mother bought me. Why gave it to Rochelle?

Since my brother missed my mother so much, I was willing to let him hold the jade pendant to send his thoughts. But, why did he give it to Rochelle in the end?

Rochelle knew the meaning of the jade pendant and refused to take it at first. But then, she caressed the jade pendant lightly with her hand, half joy and half sorrow, while saying, “Thank you, Brother. But this jade pendant is a birthday gift from my aunt to Hollie. I can't take it. If Hollie comes back and sees it…. "

Then, take it off, you bitch!

I had had enough of her fake attitude.

My brother immediately interrupted her in displeasure, “This is my mother's relic. Hollie has nothing to do with her."

His statement was really insulting to me. It was better for him to scold me than to do that.

A smug smile flashed in Rochelle's eyes, but then she pretended to care about me again and said, "Brother, does Hollie still refuse to go home? It’s been so many years. Have you contacted her lately?”

It was all thanks to you, I could float home.

Thinking of the agony of capital punishment on my body, I couldn't help but want to strangle Rochelle to death.

"What’s the point of talking about her on your birthday? It will give you bad luck."

My brother never concealed his dislike for me, but he took out his mobile anyway.

Rochelle suddenly clutched her chest in distress and said, "Brother, I…. I feel so sick."

My brother, who was just gloomy because of me, immediately put away his mobile and changed his face to one of eager concern when asking, "Rochelle, what's wrong? Are you feeling uncomfortable?"

"Brother, my heart hurts. I feel like I'm dying."

Hearing that, he immediately picked up Rochelle and wanted to take her to the hospital, but was rejected by Rochelle.

"Brother, don’t toss it. It is an old problem."

Anger and guilt kept changing on my brother's face. He was angry about the car accident I caused and felt guilty that I implicated Rochelle.

After all, the only one that knew Rochelle had no aftereffects at all was me, so she could be always pretending in front of everyone.

But my brother fell for her tricks and trusted her completely.

Part of me expected my brother to find out the truth soon, but another part of me feared that he would.