The Buried Truth

I took the object out, full of doubts. Until I shook off the dust on it, I realized it was something I had prepared back then.

However, when I opened it with trembling hands and saw the contents inside, I was struck with astonishment. It felt as if someone had delivered a powerful blow to my head with a stick, leaving me unable to regain my composure for a long time.

After a while, I couldn't hold back my tears anymore. I surrendered to my grief and burst into uncontrollable sobs.

I was like a wounded wolf, howling alone in the wilderness, my miserable voice mixed with anger and sadness.

Until this moment, I had always believed that the mystery that had troubled me since I was ten years old would remain unsolved.

Unexpectedly, today, I learned the hidden truth of the past at the place where the sin began.

While the truth abruptly halted and the mystery appeared to recede into deeper obscurity, I uncovered some information about what had happened in the past.

And with this secret, perhaps I could find out the rest of the truth in my own way.

I spent the entire night sitting in the corner of the old house, pondering relentlessly. Finally, at dawn, I thought of the best way to find out the truth.

After making up my mind, I solemnly put the things into my pocket and then walked to the homes of several elders at the front of the village with firm steps.

In less than 15 minutes, word quickly spread throughout the entire village that I intended to offer one million dollars to each of my father and his siblings in exchange for the old house.

The villagers looked at my elders with envious expressions.

Amidst the praises and admiration from everyone, I subtly displayed a barely perceptible sly smile.

In the afternoon, I invited the two esteemed village leaders, Zach and Harry, to join me in the dilapidated old house's main hall as witnesses to the upcoming event.

After a while, my family sat joyfully and neatly around the dark square table in the main hall.

My grandfather had three sons and one daughter, with my father being the second eldest among them.

The eldest son, Ryan, became mute due to illness at a young age. While he retained his ability to hear, he was unable to speak. His reserved and dull character left him single throughout his years. Now, he was old, and when I visited his house to invite him, I found him chopping wood. However, his agility and skill were not as sharp as they once were.

Ryan was the first to arrive. With a shy smile in his modest demeanor, he quietly settled himself in the corner of the main room, smoking as he remained silent.

The youngest son, Jacob, entered alongside his wife, Debra. Despite the smiles on their faces, there was a hint of estrangement in their relationship.

In contrast, the daughter, Regina, and her husband, Donny, who came in last, seemed to get along well. Not only were they holding hands, but their faces also radiated with sheer joy and happiness.

The final person to enter was my alcoholic father. He was already drunk by the afternoon, and his expression carried a mixture of emotions. He seemed torn between protesting my indifference towards him for over a decade and desiring closeness with me, now that I had returned home with success. Fortunately, I didn't allow him much time to hesitate. Upon entering the room, I offered a brief nod, addressed him as "Dad" in a low voice, and then never looked at him again.

With everyone in attendance, I politely greeted the elders one by one and then arranged for everyone to sit at the square table.

Harry and Zach took their seats at the front, while Ryan, accustomed to being reserved, hesitated to join the table. Sensing his discomfort, I decided not to force him into sitting.

My father sat down on the right side and gestured for me to sit beside him.

Jacob and Debra settled on the left side of the table, with Regina and Donny taking seats beside them.

Once we were seated, except for Ryan who couldn't speak, Regina, Debra, and Jacob started enthusiastically praising me.

"I've always believed you would achieve great things, and now you've made a lot of money. We're also benefiting from it," Regina expressed.

"Archer has been smart since childhood, and he has never forgotten his family. I've always liked you," said Debra.

"Archer, you have brought great honor to our family. Martin, you should also take credit for Archer's success!" exclaimed Jacob.

Inebriated from the wine, my father, upon hearing everyone's compliments towards me, also felt a sense of pride and began bragging.

As his outrageous boasts escalated, I could no longer tolerate it. I suddenly stood up and rushed to the door of the main hall.

With a creak, I closed the door of the old house.