Chapter 2

Why?

Why did she always get to decide everything?

Eight years ago, she wouldn't listen to my explanations, convinced I was in the wrong. She punished me in her 'own right way' – letting my hand tendons be severed.

And now, she doesn't ask me either. She unilaterally shatters the peace of my life, without ever having trusted me or doubted the 'truth'!

Ashley's words filled me with a nauseating rage. I sat on my dorm bed, taking a long time to calm down.

My roommate, Mike, noticed something was off and poured me a cup of hot water.

"What's going on?"

I knew he had a million questions.

He had been good to me. When I first got out of prison, I had nothing, and my hand was crippled.

He took pity on me, stepped in, and got me this security guard job.

Even though the pay was only a measly $200 a month, with food and lodging included, it at least gave me a place to go.

So, I decided not to hide anything from him. I bought some food, and I told him everything.

He listened in silence for a long time, then patted my shoulder, letting out a sigh.

"Forget it. We'll find another job. If you have nowhere to go, I have a basement at my place. You can stay there for now."

I was supposed to move out of the dorm the next day.

As I finished packing my luggage and stepped out, the victims' families, somehow having learned of my whereabouts, were already blocking the dorm entrance.

Seeing me, their emotions immediately ignited.

"You animal! We finally found you!"

"You killed our loved ones, why do you still get to live?"

With that, they swarmed me, surrounding me completely.

I was about to speak, but a kick landed on my stomach.

I crumpled to the ground, clutching my stomach in pain, and then fists and sticks rained down on me like hail.

Crimson blood seeped from my body, and my luggage scattered across the ground.

*Drip, drop—*

The sky was a dismal gray, and then, the rain began to pour down.

Whether they were tired of hitting me, or because of the rain, they stopped their assault. A few frustrated kicks later, they left.

After everyone dispersed, I was the only one left lying on the ground, unable to move.

The heavy rain washed away the bloodstains on my body. I tried to get up several times, only to fall back down.

"Are you okay?"

Just then, Mike ran over with an umbrella.

He helped me up from the ground and took me to the hospital on his old motorcycle.

But no matter if it was a big hospital or a small clinic, they all waved their hands, refusing to admit me.

Finally, an old doctor, unable to bear it, secretly slipped me a bottle of medicine and explained,

"Kid, someone's put the word out. No one dares to treat you."

"Go home quickly!"

I laughed, tears streaming down my face.

Ashley, is this what you meant by 'helping' me?

You're truly ruthless!

In the end, I had no choice but to return to Mike's basement.

But just as I walked in and prepared to rest, there was a knock at the door.

It was Caleb and my parents, Mr. and Mrs. Miller.

Caleb saw me and immediately his eyes welled up.

"Leo, why are you living in a place like this?"

"I know you've always liked Ashley. If you don't want this, then... then I just won't get married. I'll give her back to you..."

By the end, he was whimpering softly, as if bearing an immense grievance.

This was Caleb's specialty.

Ever since we were kids, whenever he wanted something from me, he'd use this trick.

Because his parents had died in a car accident trying to save my parents, my parents showered all their guilt and affection on him.

Whenever he cried, it was automatically assumed I had bullied him.