This video was in the favor of both Emelia and me, and could bring Franklin to justice. However, it was a proof of my cowardice.
Now, I could still shamelessly continue to live in the Hunter Family. If the video was published, how could I stay any longer?
In the video, I, kneeling on the ground in a humble position and full of fear, did nothing but watch my sister being assaulted.
My foster parents would be bitterly disappointed.
Even I was ashamed of myself, let alone them.
I hesitated, and returned home quietly. My foster parents were in the hospital taking care of Emelia. I was hungry, but I didn't have any appetite, so I forced myself to eat some leftovers.
For ten days, my foster parents didn't come back, and I didn't go out. I didn't know if anything happened at the hospital.
But for ten days, I was wondering if I should release the video.
That afternoon, my foster parents went home with Emelia. I silently stood in front of the door frame, looking at Emelia's neck wrapped in gauze with mixed emotions.
Emelia ignored me, as if I did not exist. Once she was back to her room, I heard her slight sobbing.
In the living room, my foster mother said to me with a cold face, "Jayden, do you have any video in your hand?"
"What video?" I asked, with a bewildered look.
My foster father lit a cigarette and said in a deep voice, "Young Family suddenly changed their attitude and said they were willing to compensate Emelia for all the losses. They will not prosecute you and will pay a considerable amount of money, but they wanted the video back. So, do you have a video?"
It seemed that George had told Franklin everything. This bastard wanted to settle the problem with money.
I thought about it and replied, "No, Dad."
I had made up my mind!
"All right!" My foster father sighed deeply.
I looked at them. Their black hair was half gray now.
My foster father said with a deep voice, "This video should be an unfavorable evidence for the Young Family. If I can get it, I will fight with the Young Family till the end!"
My foster mother also nodded her head heavily. With her eyes filled with tears, she said sadly, "Our daughter suffered so much! How dare the Young Family still want to settle it with money? Is money really everything?"
I looked at them, bit my lips and asked tentatively, "Mom, Dad, Can I... Can I go and see Emelia?"
"No." My foster mother said coldly, "She did not want to see you, and don't call me Mom again, I don't deserve it."
"I..." I was wronged. My foster father sighed, "Forget it, go to see her!"
After getting permission, I got up and walked to the door of Emelia's room. I gently pushed open the door. Emelia, with a poker face, lied on the bed, and sneered when she saw me, "Do you come to see my joke?"
I hung my head, said with guilt, "Emelia, I am really sorry! It's all my fault."
Emelia did not speak. Her eyes were gradually red. After being silent for a long time, she said to me coldly, "Do you know how much I hate you?"
I did not speak. I knew all apologies were useless. Only standing up in the critical moment was useful.
And I, had no right to repent.
Emelia's tears fell down. There was a faint smile on her pale face, "You have no idea what a scar on the neck means to a girl. This scar will be with me for a lifetime! In the future, whenever I look myself in the mirror, I will see this scar, and it reminds me of that night!"
I firmly bit my lips. Emelia continued in a self-deprecating manner, "But, I should thank you for letting me understand one thing, that is, even if you know a person for ten years, he cannot be trusted!"
I shuddered. I was ashamed and regretted that I had not stepped forward that night.
I did not blame Emelia, because I did not have the qualification. This entire incident occurred because of me. If Emelia hadn't gone to the KTV to save me from being bullied by Franklin's in the future, the following incidents would not happen.
"Have you seen enough of my joke? Get out! I don't want to see you now." Emelia said slowly in disdain.
I turned and left, silently returned to my own room, sitting in a daze.
Soon after, I opened the drawer and found a brand new music box that I had bought some time before.
I remembered once after school, when we passed by a toy store, Emelia took a fancy to this music box at a glance with a childish look on her face, and said to me: how nice would it be to have one on my desk!
I bore it in my mind ever since then. I had been eating less to save money for it, and I was ready to surprise her on her birthday.
It was Emelia birthday today. We should have been together as a family celebrating her birthday with birthday songs and delicious cake.
But, we did not have that mood right now.
I stared at the music box for a long time.
By the time I recovered, it was one o'clock in the morning.
I breathed deeply, took out a piece of paper, put George's mobile phone on the table, and began to write slowly:
Dear Mom, Dad and Emelia, I am so sorry! Please allow me to address you so for the last time. I know an apology cannot make up for what I owe you.
When you see this letter, I have already left. Emelia, this is a birthday gift for you. I hope you like it!
I am too ashamed to stay at home any more. Dad, there was a video in the mobile phone. I hope you can hand it over to the police, and bring Franklin the bastard to justice.
Don't look for me. I will look after myself from now on. If I can achieve something, I will come back one day!
Maybe one year, maybe ten years, maybe a lifetime. I hope you will be proud of me when I come back.
Jayden.
After finishing the letter, I took the luggage I prepared and tiptoed to the living room. I still could hear Emelia's slightly sobbing and my foster parents' sigh.
I gritted my teeth and left quietly.
At the moment the door was closed, it made a sound. I heard someone walking into the living room.
Downstairs, I disappeared into the darkness at night.
"Jayden!" I heard someone calling me. It seemed to be Emelia. I wanted to good back, but I did not deserve it!
A cowardly Jayden was not qualified to be Emelia's brother!
I believed one day I would stand in front of them again and protect them!