My Basement Death Broke My Two Brothers

Gerald froze for a moment. Recovering his composure, he slammed his palm against the table. His voice thundered, "Giselle's acting is getting better! Barely two hours in the basement, and this is what she pulls?"

Gary remained silent for a beat before speaking, his tone uneasy. "Gerald, Giselle has asthma. Could it be…"

The two exchanged wary glances, doubt flickering in their eyes. Sophia interjected quickly, "Asthma? But hasn't Giselle always carried her medication? I don't think anything serious would happen to her."

Relief washed over Gerald and Gary, but their anger soon returned.

Gary summoned a guard. "If she keeps pretending to be unconscious after half an hour, head in and slap awake. Got it?

"She thinks fainting will spare her punishment? How naive. Once she's up, drag her here. If Giselle refuses to apologize to Sophia today, she'll rot in that basement for the rest of her life."

Sophia tugged at Gary's shirt, looking up at him pitifully. "Don't hit Giselle, Gary. She's your biological sister, and I'm just an orphan. How could she ever apologize to me?"

"What nonsense is that? To us, you mean just as much as she does. You are both my sisters," Gary said, pulling Sophia into an embrace.

Gerald approached and patted her head. "I agree. I'd rather have you as my sister than Giselle."

I thought I had grown numb to the world, but hearing those words still cut deep.

Suddenly, a guard rushed in, exclaiming, "Bad news! Mr. Green overheard the maids and discovered Ms. Giselle's whereabouts. He's at the entrance of the basement, shouting that he'll save her!"

Sophia's eyes welled with tears, while Gerald and Gary were livid.

"He's truly besotted with her! What a pity he's chosen the wrong woman!"

"Let's head to the basement. I'll make Giselle kneel and apologize to Sophia. Let's see if Zachary still wants her once she's been thoroughly humiliated."

Gerald and Gary strode out of the room. I followed in silence, listening to them hurl insults at me with every step they took.