How to Bury a Family

Sarah seemed to recall this, and a brief silence fell on the line.

Before she could respond, Amy snatched the phone.

"God, Daniel, must you always compete with Ben? Stop embarrassing yourself! If you delay Sarah's research, can you even comprehend the consequences?"

She hung up.

Benjamin, with his arm around Sarah, gently patted Amy's head, soothing her, "Come on, you know what Daniel is like. Today is the most important day of my life. Cheer up."

Just like that, Amy's anger dissipated, and the group disappeared toward the honeymoon suite, leaving me alone in the silent night.

On my phone, I booked a vasectomy reversal, then turned and walked away.

Fifteen years of loving a woman who saw me as air—I was done.

By the time I returned to the city, it was late. I booked a random hotel, showered, and fell into a restless sleep.

In the early hours, a shrill phone ring jolted me awake.

The TV station manager's voice was urgent and excited, "Daniel, I heard there was a 5.3 magnitude earthquake in that village yesterday. Get over there and get me some material!"

He hung up before I could respond.

I felt a bitter irony—if I'd known, I wouldn't have come.

Resigned, I got up and checked my phone.

Benjamin had posted a close-up of his hand clasping Sarah's, wedding bands glinting. My chest tightened at the scar on her knuckle—the one she got shielding me from my father's broken whiskey bottle at eighteen.

I had always believed it was proof she cared for me.

Turns out, it was all in my head.

I was such a fool.

I opened my laptop, quickly compiled the interview materials, and asked my lawyer friend to draft a divorce agreement.

When I returned to the village, I found it in ruins.

Setting aside personal feelings, I contacted rescue teams for the affected villagers.

For some reason, the earthquake's aftermath was particularly severe.

Noticing the blasting caps used to carve the mountain near the newly built village, a troubling thought crossed my mind.

Suddenly, someone kicked me hard from behind.

Caught off guard, I fell onto the gravel-strewn ground, my hands and face scraped raw.

"Jesus, Daniel," Amy spat, looming over me. "Are you actually stalking us now? What the hell is wrong with you?"

She had forgotten how our mother was driven to death by Benjamin's mother.

Now my sister was just another member of Benjamin's fan club.

I no longer wanted a sister like her.

I stood slowly, wiping blood from my scraped hands. I didn't speak, nor did I look at her. I just adjusted my camera and kept working.

Not far away, Sarah approached with a pale-faced Benjamin.

A flicker of guilt crossed her face as she said, "Daniel, I forgot to wish you a happy birthday last night. Once I wrap up my excavation work here, I'll come back to celebrate with you..."