Chapter 12
The Parrish’s villa was only one story high, and the rooftop was only about ten meters above the ground.
But after Kyla jumped, my parents, Naomi, and Antonio all rushed toward her.
The sound of ambulances filled the villa that entire night.
They all went to the hospital.
- on the other hand, limped back to my storage room.
After I lay on the bed, I checked my phone. It was 12:13 a.m. on
December 2nd.
Antonio broke his promise; he didn’t celebrate my birthday with me.
But I didn’t feel as sad as before. I closed my eyes and soon fell asleep.
Only eight more days. In eight days, the state would come to take me
away.
***
For the next five days, I went to work and came back home as usual.
My parents and Naomi had been taking care of Kyla at the hospital, and they had never come back.
One day, the TV in the dining room was playing news.
“The Kaufman Group’s CEO, Antonio Kaufman, and the Parrish family’s
11547
业
daughter, Kyla Parrish, have announced that they’re going to get engaged.
My pupils constricted slightly.
That night, as I came home, I saw my parents, Naomi, Kyla, and Antonio. were already there.
My mom said in the language they had used before, “She’s back so late. Who knows where she’s been fooling around?”
My dad glanced at her meaningfully.
Only then did she say to me nicely. “You’re finally back, Grace. We’ve all been waiting for you.”
Then my dad said, “Grace, the doctor said Kyla’s depression is getting worse. So, we’ve acted on your behalf and let her get engaged to Antonio. You don’t have any objections, do you?”
I listened in silence, my eyes filled with mockery.
Since they had already made the decision, why bother asking for my opinion?
Looking at Antonio, I asked, though I already knew the answer.
“Antonio, have you agreed to this?”
Antonio was sitting on the sofa. Hearing my question, he stood up and walked over, taking my hand.
“Marrying me is Kyla’s only wish now. Don’t worry, Grace. I won’t betray you. I’ll only hold a wedding with her to fulfill her wish.”
He was about to marry someone else. And he said he wouldn’t betray me?
I pulled my hand back.
“OK. Whatever you want.”
Antonio’s heart somehow sank as he heard my response.
He wanted to explain, but Kyla, sitting between my parents, said, “Grace, if you’re unhappy about it, it’s fine. I won’t marry him then.”
As she said this, she dug her nails into the back of her hand, even drawing blood.
Naomi saw it and hurriedly stopped Kyla at once, yelling at me angrily.
“Grace! Can’t you see Kyla isn’t doing well? What do you want? Do you want us to bow and apologize to you?”
Even my own sister couldn’t tell right from wrong.
Her words reminded me of the time when I first came back here.
At first, they wanted me to give Kyla my room.
Then they asked me to give her my study abroad opportunity.
After she hit and ran, my mom pleaded, crying.
“I raised Kyla, and I know she’s not a bad person. She’s in poor health. and if she goes to jail, she’ll die. Please, Grace. I’m begging you. Do me one last favor.
“Go to jail for Kyla.”
As all those memories flooded back to me, I said to Naomi.
“Sure. Bow and beg me. Then I’ll let Kyla get engaged to Antonio.”