They regretted sending me to the
countryside for discipline.
Chapter 1
My folks were convinced I was a
troublemaker.
They lied about me being adopted and
shipped me off to some backwater to find my
“real” parents.
My sister swiped every last dollar I had.
“Good riddance, and stay gone!” she spat.
My other sister hung up when I begged for
help.
“You get what you deserve if they beat you to
My childhood sweetheart bribed the locals to
make my life a living hell.
Eventually, I became exactly what they
wanted me to be.
Then, they regretted it.
- 1.
Rain was coming down in sheets.
I waited from dawn till the afternoon, until my
sister, Ashley, finally showed.
“Jake, why are you covered in filth? Are you
doing this on purpose so we feel bad for
you?”
She sat in her car. looking at me like Lwas
She sat in her car, looking at me like I was
something she scraped off her shoe.
I started to get in.
She floored it, covering me in mud.
“Gross! Take a cab!”
She threw a twenty at my feet.
Her sports car sped away, leaving me soaked
and covered in muck.
I sighed, resigned to my fate, and started
walking back into the storm.
Hours later, I finally reached town.
Of course, the buses stopped running.
く
My wet clothes clung to me, freezing me to
the bone.
I stumbled into a convenience store and
called the family mansion.
Before I could even say hello, my other sister,
Brittany, started yelling.
“Jake! What’s with the royal treatment act?
You need to be chauffeured everywhere?”
Ashley chimed in.
“We gave you money for a cab! Are you trying
to make me feel guilty?”
The phone was snatched away by my dad.
Г
His voice dripped with disappointment.
“Four years, and you’re still pulling this
entitled crap? You have to make everyone
miserable!”
I choked out, “I’m sorry, the buses aren’t
running, I… I’m sorry…‘
11
There was a pause on the other end.
My dad sighed.
“I’ll send someone.”
The store owner, seeing how soaked I was,
left me an umbrella when he closed up.
It didn’t do a damn bit of good against the
Г
I just huddled down, trying to make myself as
small as possible.
Morning came, and the sun broke through.
Still, no one came to get me.
My head pounding, I boarded the bus,
thankful for the money Ashley threw at me.
Standing in front of the mansion, I nervously
rubbed my hands on my jeans.
My clothes were dry, but I felt naked under
everyone’s stares.
My mom covered her mouth, her eyes red.
“Jake, what happened to you…”
く
My dad frowned, automatically scolding me.
“Did you deliberately wear rags to get our
attention? Are you still blaming us for sending
you to the sticks?”
They probably couldn’t believe it.
I used to love dressing cool and looking good.
Now, I was in patched–up, faded clothes,
covered in mud.
Down on the farm, I was working all day,
everyday.
My old clothes wore out quick.
If it wasn’t for scavenging the throw–aways, I
<
would have been naked.
I kept my head down, picking at my
fingernails, mumbling an apology.
“I’m sorry… Mr. and Mrs. Thompson… These
are the best clothes I have…”
Ashley cut me off.
“He’s doing it on purpose! Everyone knows
how vain you are, you would never wear that!”
I shut my mouth, letting her rant.
“He’s playing the sympathy card so he
doesn’t have to go back to the farm. He’s
always been spoiled rotten.”
A voice piped up.
L
“Welcome home, Jake.”
Justin shrank behind Brittany when he saw
me looking at him.
Brittany glared at me.
“Why are you scaring Justin? Can’t you leave
him alone after four years?”
Ashley shoved me hard.
“You’re such a pest! You always have to bully
my brother!”
- 2.
I already had a fever and no strength.
Istumbled back a few steps
く
I stumbled back a few steps.
It was always like this.
I did nothing, and they would always be there
to chastise me for Justin.
My mom tried to smooth things over.
“Justin said he forgives you, that’s why we
brought you home.”
My dad snorted.
“If you don’t do anything to Justin, we can all
accept you.”
Justin smiled weakly, looking all sweet and
innocent.
L
I would have tried to defend myself before, to
say that he was acting, that I never hurt him.
I didn’t care anymore.
“Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Thompson,” I
mumbled.
They wouldn’t believe me anyway.
Besides, I would do anything to get away
from my so–called parents.
My mom gave me a complicated look, and
then sadly changed the subject.
“Do you have to be so formal with your
folks?”
I looked up, confused.
Г
“But I’m not your kid, my parents are on the
farm…”
They were speechless.
After a moment, my mom said, “Let’s get you
inside.”
I took off my shoes, showing my bleeding
feet.
My mom’s eyes welled up again, and she
hurried to get me some slippers.
My dad looked away, telling the maid to get
the first aid kit.
I recoiled.
My mom burst into tears, burying herself in
my dad’s arms.
I stood there, not knowing what I did wrong.
Justin yelped, and everyone turned to him.
He clutched his wrist, looking pained.
Ashley glared at me.
“This is your fault! My brother’s arm still
hurts!”
Looking at Justin’s frail expression, I felt
complicated.
He was adopted.
As soon as he arrived he was all sweetness
く
Everyone loved him.
