I dragged my broken leg upstairs, limping heavily. No one followed.
“Mom, Dad, Brother, let it go. It’s my birthday. I don’t want to argue with Iris,” Clara said softly.
My brother sighed. “Our Clara is so generous—unlike some people, always scheming. It’s disgusting.”
“What, too scared to come closer? Can’t face the truth?” Ethan frowned. “Clara’s protecting you, and yet you act so ungrateful. Do you only feel satisfied when you humiliate yourself?”
I stopped trying to reason with them and went straight to my room.
My phone was still recording on the table. I played it back—perfect. Everything was captured.
I sent the video to our family group chat. Minutes later, they all stormed in.
My brother waved his phone angrily. “What’s the meaning of this video?”
“Isn’t it clear? Clara ordered her brothers to assault me. They admitted it themselves.”
Father shook his head. “Impossible. Clara would never do that. Those two acted on their own—it has nothing to do with her.”
Clara cried, “Iris, you must believe me! I didn’t send them! I’ll confront them myself! Where are they?”
“Of course they ran off. Did you think I’d let them stick around to confess?”
Mother looked at me worriedly. “Iris, you hurt yourself jumping from the third floor. Should we call a doctor?”
Ethan frowned. “Wait—how did you even film this? Did you plan it with them?”
I laughed bitterly. “Ethan, they’re Clara’s brothers. Why would I work with them?”
“Maybe you bribed them to frame Clara!” my brother snapped. “Ethan’s right. Iris plotted this whole thing!”
Clara sobbed harder. “Iris, I’m your sister! Why would you do this to me?”
Mother’s expression hardened. “Iris, you’ve truly disappointed me.”
Father scoffed. “We should never have taken her back!”
In that instant, all my love for this family died. “You want to know how I got that recording? Fine—I’ll tell you.”
“Before they broke in, I was recording my last words.”
Ethan laughed mockingly. “Your last words? What nonsense! Are you saying you plan to die?”
“Yes. I’m leaving this world today.”
“Don’t be ridiculous! If you die, I’ll eat shit!” my brother shouted. “Iris Blake, have you gone insane? Why kill yourself now?”
“You’re calling me a liar?” I choked back tears. “Brother, your heart only holds Clara. Did you forget you had a wife named Lena?”
“Mom, Dad—did you forget your kind daughter-in-law too?”
“Lena is dead because none of you would operate on her. You all stayed by Clara’s side, and that’s why she died.”
“She’s gone now, and I have nothing left. I’ll follow her.”
They all stared back—cold, disgusted.
My brother sneered. “You and Lena still acting? What is this, a soap opera?”
