The fake daughter claimed I stole her jewelry, and anger snapped through my brother.
Not only did he pull me straight into court, but he even brought in the top lawyer to stand for her.
Sentenced for three years, I was marked as a thief.
Before I entered prison, the lawyer quietly warned him, “Just frighten her for a moment. If she truly ends up in prison, your sister’s whole life will collapse!”
My brother’s expression stayed calm. “Taking someone’s things isn’t small. She must learn her lesson.”
“As for what comes later, I’ll take responsibility for her.”
Three years later, when I stepped out of prison, he reached his reddened eyes toward me and said, “Now you understand you were wrong, right? Come on, come home with me.”
However, I only moved back with a blank face, slipping away from his hand.
I had already taken in another brother in my heart.
He said he trusted me.
——
Realizing I avoided him, my brother shot me a surprised look. But his hand didn’t pull back; instead, it reached toward me again, fast and firm.
“Evie, why are you avoiding me? Did anyone give you trouble in there?”
When he spoke, his throat sounded rough, as if his voice had been scraped dry.
I tried several times to pull my hand free, but his hold didn’t loosen, so I could only answer in a quiet tone, “No.”
He breathed out softly, tightening his hold a little more.
“That’s good. I saw people online say that the place isn’t meant for humans. As long as no one bullied you, then that’s good…”
Looking at his relief and the redness in his eyes, I could only smile bitterly at myself.
Brother, wasn’t the one who pushed every step to send me inside…was you?
What good was your concern then?
He smiled, almost trying too hard, tugging me toward the car. “Didn’t you always love noise and big crowds? I arranged a welcome-back dinner for you.”
“Come on, let’s go home.”
I turned and looked at the prison. Inside, I had come to see another brother, whose name was Louie Knight.
Since he had been jailed after being set up for economic charges, he still had one month left before getting out.
We already had an agreement: one month later, I would go pick him up when he walked out, and then live with him.
Thinking about the things my father left behind at home before he passed, I eventually sat in my brother’s car.
On the way, he reached over and rubbed my short buzz-cut, half reminding and half warning, “Evie, you can’t steal things anymore. This is your lesson.”
I tightened my fingers.
During the past three years, I had asked the guards countless times to pass words to him, saying I never took Rosie’s things, that she set me up.
However, he never accepted it. So this time, I didn’t try to explain again.
I only nodded as if agreeing with him. “Okay.”
Smiling in contentment, he brought me back.
As soon as the door opened, with a loud pop, colorful strips shot into the air.
Rosie Mitchell, whom I hadn’t seen in three years, held a party popper and smiled with arched eyes. “Evie, welcome home!”
She behaved in a way that showed how much she missed me longingly.
In contrast to the past, she didn’t resemble the harsh, jealous girl who had framed me for theft.
I walked past her shoulder without acknowledging her.
Her smile paused for a moment, and she looked toward my brother with an uneasy expression. “Why isn’t Evie saying anything to me? Is she still upset with me?”
Jude Mitchell gently patted her head and said, “Evie just came out. She might not be used to everything yet. It’s not your fault.”
I had already stepped into the bedroom and opened the drawer under the bed.
After seeing Dad’s old photos and the ring still lying there, I finally breathed out slowly.
Jude stood by the door and softly asked, “Evie, want to come out and eat? You’ve gotten so thin. I can see your ribs.”
I slid the drawer shut and walked out with him.
While we were eating, Rosie casually asked.
