The grand dining room of the Adam's mansion was eerily quiet, save for the occasional clink of silverware against fine china. Morris sat at the head of the table, his posture as rigid as the cold air that lingered between the walls. His eyes were fixed on the plate before him, but it was clear his mind was elsewhere.Across from him, Ivan stared into his untouched food, a deep frown etched on his young face. Morris noticed the boy's unusual silence and turned his head slightly, his brows furrowing with concern. "Ivan, what's troubling you?" Morris's voice, though gentle, carried the weight of authority.Ivan hesitated, his small hand reaching out to clutch his father's. The touch was tentative, almost as if he feared rejection. "Dad... I'm worried about Chris," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "He's alone in the hospital. Can't we go see him?"Morris stiffened, his hand instinctively tightening around his son's.The name "Chris" seemed to echo in the room, hanging heavy
The grand dining room of the Adam's mansion was eerily quiet, save for the occasional clink of silverware against fine china. Morris sat at the head of the table, his posture as rigid as the cold air that lingered between the walls. His eyes were fixed on the plate before him, but it was clear his mind was elsewhere.Across from him, Ivan stared into his untouched food, a deep frown etched on his young face. Morris noticed the boy's unusual silence and turned his head slightly, his brows furrowing with concern. "Ivan, what's troubling you?" Morris's voice, though gentle, carried the weight of authority.Ivan hesitated, his small hand reaching out to clutch his father's. The touch was tentative, almost as if he feared rejection. "Dad... I'm worried about Chris," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "He's alone in the hospital. Can't we go see him?"Morris stiffened, his hand instinctively tightening around his son's.The name "Chris" seemed to echo in the room, hanging heavy
The grand dining room of the Adam's mansion was eerily quiet, save for the occasional clink of silverware against fine china. Morris sat at the head of the table, his posture as rigid as the cold air that lingered between the walls. His eyes were fixed on the plate before him, but it was clear his mind was elsewhere.Across from him, Ivan stared into his untouched food, a deep frown etched on his young face. Morris noticed the boy's unusual silence and turned his head slightly, his brows furrowing with concern. "Ivan, what's troubling you?" Morris's voice, though gentle, carried the weight of authority.Ivan hesitated, his small hand reaching out to clutch his father's. The touch was tentative, almost as if he feared rejection. "Dad... I'm worried about Chris," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "He's alone in the hospital. Can't we go see him?"Morris stiffened, his hand instinctively tightening around his son's.The name "Chris" seemed to echo in the room, hanging heavy
The grand dining room of the Adam's mansion was eerily quiet, save for the occasional clink of silverware against fine china. Morris sat at the head of the table, his posture as rigid as the cold air that lingered between the walls. His eyes were fixed on the plate before him, but it was clear his mind was elsewhere.Across from him, Ivan stared into his untouched food, a deep frown etched on his young face. Morris noticed the boy's unusual silence and turned his head slightly, his brows furrowing with concern. "Ivan, what's troubling you?" Morris's voice, though gentle, carried the weight of authority.Ivan hesitated, his small hand reaching out to clutch his father's. The touch was tentative, almost as if he feared rejection. "Dad... I'm worried about Chris," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "He's alone in the hospital. Can't we go see him?"Morris stiffened, his hand instinctively tightening around his son's.The name "Chris" seemed to echo in the room, hanging heavy
"Give the Amulet to me, my girlfriend said she likes it." Ivan had his eyes glaring at Chris, from where he was standing at the door on the second floor of the Adam's mansion.Ivan's words were like a punch to Chris's chest, to the extent he zoned out for a couple of seconds as he replayed and digested the awful request from his so-called brother."It's mine, I won't give it to you." Chris declined touching the Amulet around his neck."What could a trash like you need an Amulet for?" Ivan snickered folding his arms across his chest.His words were sharp, leaving Chris dumbfounded. The more the words sank into Chris's brain, the more they stung with pain and made his chest bubble with amusement. The Amulet wasn't just any necklace, it was the only thing that was left of his mother.Three years ago, Chris woke up to the sad news of his mother's disappearance. Not only was his father not bothered, but he got married just a month apart and brought his new wife home. As if that wasn't en
Morris sneered as he entered the room. When he saw Chris lying there, he was fumed with anger."How dare this brat sleep when he is supposed to be repenting?" He growled and struck Chris's cheek."Wake up!" He yelled.Chris's eyes peeled open, and when he looked at the figure in front of him, he realized it was his father and not his mother. The realization sent grievance through his fragile body. Chris was suffocated, depressed and shaking. Last time he checked, he was also Morris's son, but it seemed like, his father have forgotten. "Stand up!" Morris ordered but Chris could barely lift his feet.Seeing how reluctant he was, Morris was irritated. A quick snort from him made his insides turn."I said stand up you dimwit!" He yelled again at Chris, stomping his feet hard on the ground to threaten him."I can't..." Chris's voice was shaky, betraying the stiffness of his body. Morris flared up in anger and grabbed Chris's hair whilst yelling at him-"You coward. After pushing my chi
Snowflakes fell gently from the sky and landed on Chris's body. The sound of his screams amplified through the chilly air.He held on to Ivan's feet, struggling to save the last piece of his mother's memory.Undaunted by the bitter cold, Ivan smiled as he watched Chris struggling. When Chris's gripped on his feet hardened and he couldn't press harder on the Amulet, Ivan kicked Chris with his free leg, and then stepped on his fingers.Even as the fierce winds raged, and a snowstorm brewed, nor the bones of his fingers as they cracked by every trampling of Ivan's feet against them, Chris's eyes were fixated on the Amulet that was now in ruins.Tears dried from his eyes as he stared at the Amulet now in pieces.When Ivan noticed this, he looked at the Amulet and smiled. "What are you going to do now?" He laughed. Chris crawled towards the Amulet, and then gathered the pieces. His dried eyes suddenly welled up and tears began rolling down his cheeks. "Mum..." He sobbed in great misery b
"I'm sorry father." Ivan cried.His words rattled around in Chris's head until he finally found himself furious at Ivan's words.Camping? They went camping? Chris had thought Ivan was hospitalized for the past few days, but instead they were camping while he was locked in the attic fighting for his life.Tears stained his now pale and frozen skin as he searched his memories trying to figure out what he ever did wrong to deserve such treatment from his so-called family.He couldn't find any. He had always obeyed them but they weren't satisfied.Ivan would mock him and treated him badly and even if Chris told their parents, they would always side with Ivan and Chris got beatings in return.Chris felt his body getting weaker and weaker. The beating sound of his heart became even louder. He struggled to stay awake but every minute was heart wrenching.Their words hurts more than the pain he was in. He didn't want to hear them anymore and with his consciousness slowly slipping away from