Chapter 7
My three brothers said nothing.
“Then none of you get to eat. All going to the basement.“]
“Claire was locked up for a day and night.“[]
“You’ll be locked up for three days.“]
David spoke first.
“Dad, it was my idea. After Mom left, I always felt it was because of Claire.“]
“I let my brothers bully her. It’s all my fault.“[]
Marcus cried too, “Dad, I just wanted to see Mom. I just thought bullying Claire was fun. I never meant for her to become like this.”
Ryan said, “Dad, we know we were wrong. We’ll definitely treat Claire well from now on.”
Dad’s hand dropped weakly.[]
“Do you still have that chance?”
He closed his eyes and rubbed his temples.[]
“It’s all my fault. I was too busy with work and neglected to discipline you properly.“]
“Butler, bring the rod.”
Mr. Wilson’s whole body trembled. []
“The young masters are only seven years old. Isn’t this a bit much?”
“Say one more word and you’re fired too.”
Soon the living room filled with my three brothers‘ screams.]
I didn’t go downstairs.
Just like how they had watched me before.
I stood on the second floor watching silently.
Until Dad got tired of beating them
He threw down the rod.]
Blood pooled all over the floor.
Mr. Wilson brought towels for him to wipe his hands.
“Without punishment, they won’t learn. Throw them in the basement for three days.”
“Call a doctor to attend them. Don’t let them die.“[]
“Yes, sir.”
But back then, no doctor watched over me.[]
I almost died.]
Under the doctor’s care, my three brothers were soon lively again.
At dinner, Dad served me food.[]
It had no taste in my mouth.]
As soon as I swallowed, I threw it back up.[]
I stared at them fearfully, afraid they’d scold me.]
But this time no one found me disgusting.
Dad even held me in his arms.
“Are you still not feeling well?”
My brothers put down their forks too, all looking at me nervously.
I shook my head. I couldn’t eat anymore and was getting drowsy again.[]
I saw tears glistening in my brothers‘ eyes.]
“Dad, lately our sister seems unable to eat anything?“]
Dad’s voice was heavy.
“Isn’t that all thanks to what you did!”
The family nutritionist tried every way to get me to eat, making cakes shaped like carrots and my favorite little white rabbits.]
Sometimes I could manage a few bites.[]
But when weighing me, the nutritionist always shook her head.
A few more days passed.]
Katie, who hadirt come for a long time, rang our doorbell
Katie held a red toy truck in her hands, timidly peeking out from behind the door.
“David.”
I looked at the red truck in her hands.[]
I remembered how they wanted to have Katie as their sister. From now on, Katle would be their sister.[]
David went upstairs, Ryan went to pour water.[]
Marcus looked at me and asked, “Are you hungry, Claire?”
I shook my head.]
They hadn’t looked at her at all from beginning to end.[]
After a while, there was a phone call.]
Only Katie and I were left in the living room.]
She threw the toy truck hard on the ground, then started wailing.
“David, Ryan, Marcus! Claire broke my truck!“]
I sat on the sofa, and hearing her words, I immediately tried to run.]
But Marcus stopped me, “Why are you running so fast?“[]
I still pushed the door open just a crack and listened to the conversation downstairs.[]
The psychologist said, “Through observation during this time, the child has indeed developed psychological trauma.“]
“When little Miss gets close to you, she vomits during meals–it’s a subconscious physiological reaction.”
Dad couldn’t believe it. “She used to depend on me the most?”
