- 13.
I didn’t wait until morning.
That night the wind was bowling Letead
<
That night, the wind was howling. I stood at the window, watching the lights in the
distance. There used to be a light there for
- me.
Why did I have to suffer like this?
I sat on the windowsill, the wind making me
feel numb.
Could I even keep going?
No family, no love, why stay in the world and
bother the people I love? Wasn’t I the reason
Grandpa was dead?
If I hadn’t gone back to the Starks, maybe
everything would be different.
If I hadn’t chased after Emily
く
If I hadn’t chased after Emily…
I looked down. The second floor. If I jumped,
maybe I could escape and find Maya. Or
maybe I’d be paralyzed for life. But nothing
could be worse than what I was dealing with
now.
I closed my eyes and jumped.
- 14.
When I woke up, I saw Maya’s face, tear-
streaked. She was holding my hand. When
she saw I was awake, she called for the
doctor.
I lifted my hand.
“Don’t crv.”
く
Maya hugged me, and I patted her back.
My parents were standing on the other side,
looking worried and guilty.
Maya whispered in my ear.
“Emily found the proof that Jake was working
with the loan sharks. They’re all in jail now.”
Mom wiped her eyes and said my name.
“Ethan.”
But she didn’t say anything else.
I smiled bitterly.
“You want me to forgive Jake, is that it? If
you want to use that ‘I gave birth to vou‘ card
L
Maya gave me a look.
Mom shook her head. She didn’t say
anything. She looked at Dad.
Dad sighed.
“Ethan, your mom and I know we messed up.”
“You got hurt because we cared too much
about Jake.”
“Will you ever forgive us?”
Mom looked at me, hopeful.
I looked down.
“Mom, remember that bank card you gave
me? If I’d had it back then, none of this would
てて
The love came too late. I didn’t need it
anymore.
“I’m tired,” I said, lying down and turning my
back.
I heard Mom crying, but I didn’t change my
mind.
Some things can’t be forgiven.
And Emily knew she was the reason I jumped.
She didn’t dare show her face. All she did
was make sure Jake paid for what he’d done.
I didn’t go to the trial.
I was already on my way home with Maya.
