“Your sister doesn’t believe you,” said the prison guard each time my sister left the
Disappointment, again and again, slowly turned into despair. I felt like the whole world had abandoned me. My sister used to love me. Now even she was gone.
When I saw that watch again, I broke down. I flipped the box over. The watch fell to the floor with a loud bang. Leonhart froze in shock. My sister’s face turned dark.
“Leon gave you a gift out of kindness. He doesn’t even blame you anymore. Why are you doing that?”
I sat in the chair shaking all over, my face completely pale.
Renata then pulled me up. “You think just because you came out of prison you can throw a tantrum? Pick up the watch and apologize to Leon!”
"Apologize? Why would I?" I shoved my sister hard and ran out the house.
Outside, the cold wind cut into my skin. Hurt and anger twisted my heart tightly. I didn’t want to go home at all. If it weren’t for getting my father’s belongings, I wouldn’t have come back.
I never wanted to be wrongly accused again. I never wanted to suffer anything like that again.
My sister soon caught up and grabbed my wrist. Her brows were tightly drawn as she scolded me, “Where are you going? Three years in prison and your temper still hasn’t changed?”
I couldn’t hold it in anymore. I yanked my hand away, my eyes red.
“Was he giving me that watch out of kindness or malice? Renata, can’t you really see it? I’m your real brother! You already sent me to prison once. What more do you want?”
“It was for your own good!” Her voice turned cold. “If you dare to steal, you must be punished. If not, you'll never learn to fix that bad habit? Should I just watch you make mistakes and let you walk down the wrong path?”
Her words hit my heart like a hammer. Since I was young, when had I ever stolen anything? Why would I steal Leonhart’s watch? Why couldn’t she think more carefully about this? Why wouldn’t she believe me?
Tears fell. Three years of pain and hopelessness washed over me again. I gave up trying to explain once more.
Looking at my buzz-cut hair, she finally softened her tone, like she was admitting defeat. “Rein, everything I do is for you. Yes, you were in prison for three years, but I already prepared a future for you.”
“My company will be yours one day. I only wanted to give you a small punishment. It doesn’t really hurt anything. So, come home with me. Don’t run around anymore.”
She took my hand and pulled me back toward the house. I followed her with a numb feeling and I kept silent along the road.
When we opened the door, Leonhart looked surprised to see her bring me back. He didn’t expect that after everything, she still wanted me home.
I felt exhausted. I went straight to my room and didn’t come out.
Late at night, Leonhart quietly came into my room. I opened my eyes instantly, but he thought I was still asleep.
He touched my pillow, lifted it and hid something underneath. I didn’t move or take it out.
He couldn’t wait. I had just returned and he was already using the same trick. I wanted to see whether my sister would believe me this time.
The next morning, just as expected, he cried to my sister and said I stole his watch again.
“Brother, if you like something, you can just tell me. I even gave you the watch yesterday, but you didn’t want it. Why do you always have to steal?”
My sister’s face instantly get dark upon hearing that.
