Living in the Shadow of My Cousin

"You're really rebellious! And you still dare to lecture me!"

"I'd beat you to death, you unfilial son!"

Clara and Victor rushed over quickly and pulled my mom away.

"Aunt, if Arthur won't help, maybe I can do the cooking instead."

My mom and Clara were startled and immediately stopped him.

"No, you're too delicate to do hard work."

"Yeah, the kitchen is full of smoke and grease, it's bad for your lungs. You'd better go outside."

They knew the risks, but since I was the one doing it, it didn't seem to matter.

Victor smiled sweetly but stepped back reluctantly.

"Well, thanks for your hard work, Arthur."

My mom shot me a fierce glare while I was lying on the floor.

"Get up and start working! Stop playing dead!"

"You can't compare yourself to Victor. His fate is golden and blessed, but you were born to work hard. You need to accept that!"

They went back to the living room smiling like nothing had happened.

I gritted my teeth and stood up, feeling a sharp pain in my chest.

The doctor said I should stay calm and not get upset. Could it be coming back?

I glanced at Clara in the living room. She was staring only at Victor and they looked at each other as if the whole world didn't exist.

Fine. This family, this woman … I'm done with them!

Let's just have one last meal together today and then go our separate ways.

I had finally prepared a few dishes and was about to wash my hands to eat.

Victor came over with his arms crossed, looking at me.

"Arthur, you're only two months older than me, but our luck is totally different, huh?"

I knew what he meant, but I didn't want to answer.

"Jeane likes me and your wife likes me too. Honestly, you've lived a pathetic life!"

"I can see your daughter's going to inherit your fate sooner or later, destined to spend her whole life paving the way for my family."

I couldn't help but change my expression. Now he was even targeting my daughter.

I glared at him furiously.

"What the hell do you want?"

Victor's eyes flicked over to my daughter, a creepy smile spreading across his face.

"Nathan was born with poor eyesight. I've been planning to find someone to donate a cornea to. Your daughter seems like a good candidate."

"Your mom has already agreed and of course, Clara is on board too."

I was beyond furious. How could they be so cruel? My daughter is barely over one year old!

I tried to confront them, but Victor shoved me hard. I stumbled backward and hit my chest against the corner of the table. The pain from my surgery struck me sharply.

Suddenly, Victor threw himself on the ground, shouting loudly.

"Ouch! Arthur, why are you hitting me? I just didn't help with the cooking. Does that mean you have to hit me?"

My mom and Clara rushed in from the living room.

Clara quickly helped Victor up and yelled angrily,

"Arthur, apologize to Victor right now!"

"Who said you could hit him? Which hand did you use? Tell me right now!"

I clutched my chest in pain and collapsed to the floor, but they didn't notice at all.

My mom grabbed a broom and struck me hard in the chest!

I fell down. A sharp, metallic taste filled my throat. I started coughing violently and spat out a mouthful of blood.

"You're such an ungrateful brat, completely useless!"

"I'm going to beat you to death today! How dare you bully Victor!"

My daughter, scared, started crying loudly and stumbled over to me.

"Daddy … blood … blood … "

When Clara saw the blood beside me, she froze for a moment.

Then Victor stretched out both hands, palms up.

"My hand was scraped and bleeding."