chapter 23

After all, I was a girl raised with love and indulgence by the entire Lu Family.

Setting aside those acts of feigned sensibility-the kind of ‘green-tea’ manipulation (pretending to be innocent) that only deepened my family’s prejudice against me.

Strictly speaking, Lu Jiajia only ever laid hands on me once.

It was when members of the Lu Family grew worried about my frequent stomach pains and were preparing to take me to the hospital for a checkup.

She switched my stomach medication for vitamins.

Just that once, yet it cemented the belief that I was lying, putting on a show, and using the family’s guilt to fight for affection.

Do I blame her? Of course I do.

But I can’t say, in good conscience, that it was all her fault.

This, I know.

The Lu Family Members know it too.

“Lu Jiajia, you should kneel.”

“But you’re not the only one who should kneel.”

“But none of that matters, because kneeling is useless.”

“Your repentance only disgusts me.”

What lifelong regret, what eternal remorse?

No one lives their whole life burdened by guilt.

People always find a way to excuse themselves, to let go.

Just like when I first went missing-they felt so, so guilty.

But a few years later, didn’t they adopt Lu Jiajia to make themselves feel better?

So, how much is their guilt really worth?

They only ever love me most when they’ve lost me.

It’s laughable.

I didn’t give them even a glance.

I grabbed Gu Lin’s sleeve and turned to leave.

Just as I took two steps, my eldest brother, Lu Jinran, called out behind me, his voice choked with suppressed sobs:

“Siyuan… just call me ‘brother’ one more time, come home.”

“I’m begging you!”

I stopped in my tracks.

I turned around and saw Lu Jinran kneeling on the ground as well.

I tilted my head, curled my lips into a cold, mocking smile, and said, “One.”