My Brother Played with Fire and Killed the Whole Family

My dad slapped me across the face. "You liar! You said you'd behave and protect your brother! Why didn't you admit it?!"

My mom punched me in the back. "With your attitude, you won't be filial in the future. We can only rely on Kane. The saying raises a son to protect you in old age is absolutely true!"

My brother stepped on my shoe. "Disgusting! We almost got exposed because of you! Would it kill you to admit it for me?"

Their punches and kicks reminded me of the scene on the mountain in my past life. Thankfully, we weren't on the mountain, or I would have rolled down.

Other patients in the ward couldn't stand it and spoke up for me. "Stop hitting her, stop."

My mom yelled back, "Disciplining my child is none of your business! If you're so free, go mop the floor!"

The ward fell silent.

My brother, feeling embarrassed, called out, "Mom!"

My mom's expression changed quickly, and she gently comforted my brother. "It's okay. Everyone wet the bed when they were young. It's the same."

"What are you standing there for?! Go mop the floor!"

I mopped the floor and then washed my brother's pants. In the evening, my mom and brother went home, leaving me to take care of my dad.

The next day, while I was still asleep, I was slapped awake by my dad.

"Did you steal your brother's gold necklace? Did you steal it?"

I was stunned. "It wasn't me."

"How could it not be you? I bet it was you!"

My dad angrily said into his phone, "Emma said it wasn't her. It was probably left on the mountain yesterday. Go look for it. It's more than thirty grams of gold, it must be found!"

After issuing his orders, he hung up and glared at me. "You go to the mountain to look for it too!"

I nodded. "Dad, call Mom to pick me up."

"Bullshit! Go ahead!"

I walked to the mountain, and halfway there, I saw an ambulance speeding by.

My mom had suffered severe burns and was taken to the ICU for three days.

She died.

In her last moments, she reached out her heavily bandaged hands to touch my brother's face.

Despite everything, her eyes were filled with love, without a hint of blame or resentment. Her mouth moved silently, saying, "Kane, don't forget Mom."

It was truly pathetic.

My brother only knew how to cry and wouldn't say a word.

Even if he didn't speak, the truth was evident.

My mom and brother had gone to the mountain to find the gold necklace. My brother had once again started playing his fire-starting game, enjoying the thrill of lighting a fire and quickly putting it out to prove his prowess.

Until the last time, the fire grew, and my mom rushed to save her beloved son.

My mom's departure was only a short-lived pain for my brother, quickly forgotten.

Life went on, and I soon immersed myself in my studies. Meanwhile, all the chores fell on me.

My dad's facial scars slowly scabbed over. After they fell off, he started getting scar removal treatments, which were expensive. He cut my living expenses and study material funds to buy new phones and shoes for my brother.

My brother flaunted his favoritism in front of me. Even though my dad knew very well that my brother was responsible for my mom's death, he still pampered him.

Raising a son to protect you in old age was his deeply ingrained belief.

During this time, I carefully did what I was supposed to. Only by staying invisible could I ensure temporary peace.

But the storm's arrival was often silent.

My brother's midterm exam results came out, and he was third from the bottom of the class.

My dad didn't scold him, only told him to ask me if he didn't understand something. But my brother was furious.

After dinner, I went to wash the dishes. When I returned to my room to study, I found it filled with torn books, scattered all over.

My brother did it.

He was jealous of me and wanted to ruin me.

After thinking for a moment, I decided to talk to my dad.

Maybe he would help me, considering my good grades.

But I was wrong, very wrong.

My dad clearly didn't believe me and didn't even go to check my room. He lay on the bed watching videos, justifying himself. "Emma, don't think that just because you have good grades, you can slander your brother."

"I bet your good grades are from cheating, huh? You should remember, if you get married and are beaten by your husband, you'll still need your brother to back you up."

My dad picked up the thermos next to him and threw it at me, grazing my forehead.

My brother picked up the thermos, laughing smugly. "I won't back you up when you get beaten."

My dad took the thermos, opened it, and poured it all over me.

I struggled to move back to my room, my dad and brother's loud laughter echoing behind me.