The Falling Leaves In Autumn

My mother instantly scowled and scolded me, “You’re not even pregnant! You’ve got hands and feet, so why can’t you take care of yourself? You’ve always been selfish since childhood. Whatever small favor we ask of you, you’ve always acted like it’s the end of the world!”

She had me just to collect cord blood for Ella’s treatment. In her eyes, I was nothing more than a supply of medicine to treat Ella. There was no room for me to resist or complain.

I did not want to argue with her. I put down my cutlery and tried to slip into my old bedroom for a moment. It was only then that I found out it had been turned into a storage room.

Tears instantly streamed down my face. I wiped them haphazardly.

“Are you upset with Johnson? It seems you still haven’t figured out your place. The years of history between Johnson and me aren’t something you can overstep.” Ella followed me in. Her tone dripped with arrogance, as if she had every right to lecture me.

I let out a bitter laugh. “If that’s the case, why don’t you just marry him?”

The corner of her mouth curled into a deep, knowing smile. “The unattainable things in life are always the best. I want him to always think of me and be my anchor for life.”

I felt speechless. I fixed my gaze on her swollen belly and instinctively touched it.

Ella smiled even more smugly. She leaned close and whispered in my ear, “Jealous? Too bad, you will never have a child in this life. A part of your kidney and your lung are with me.

“I hear life without complete internal organs is miserable. You need to take hormones for the rest of your life. On top of that, there are also all sorts of side effects. When I told Johnson about this, he didn’t want me to suffer and promised to help me instantly.

“That’s why he married you and kept you happy. By the way, he says I’m weak, so he has to take good care of you in case something happens to me. You should thank me, for your sole purpose in life is to be none other than being my vessel. No one truly loves you in this world.”

I dug my fingers hard into my palm. I raised my hand and was about to slap her. Suddenly, someone opened the door.

At the entrance, Johnson looked furious. He charged at me and grabbed my wrist. He snapped, “What are you doing? How can you strike your sister?”

I let out a mocking laugh. “What’s wrong? Is your heart aching for her? Since you care so much about her, why don’t you just bring her home and treat her like she belongs there?”

I had never spoken to him so harshly before. Johnson was startled. He was about to say something—

Just then, Ella clutched her stomach and cried out in distress, “Please don’t argue because of me. It’s all my fault. I upset Amber. If she strikes me, I deserve it. I don’t need the housekeeper anymore. Amber, please stop striking me.”

Johnson’s expression instantly turned as dark as thunderclouds. He glared at me. “Amber, apologize to Ella now!”

I clenched my fists tightly. My nails nearly cut into my skin. I trembled in anger.

“You want me to apologize to her, huh? Johnson, do you even know what actually happened?”

“Enough!” Johnson interrupted me without hesitation. “Amber, I’m really disappointed in you. When did you become like this? Ella is your sister. Even if you’re jealous of her, you shouldn’t strike her!”

He did not even bother to spare me another glance. He scooped Ella up in his arms and headed out.

I saw Ella bury her head against Johnson’s shoulder. She wore the quiet, haughty look of someone who had already won the game. She flashed me a smug smile.

But she could not hurt me anymore.

I would never care about Johnson anymore.

I took a cab home and packed my things. Johnson WhatsApped me.

[Ella is very sad now. I’m giving you one more chance. Come over tonight and apologize to her. Don’t make me send someone to bring you over.]

His tone left no room for argument, as if he had decided I was completely in the wrong.

He even told me to buy a gift for Ella as a token of apology.

Little did he know that I had already packed my bags.

I took a cab and headed to the airport.

On the way, I sent him one last message. [Alright, I’ll make sure to send a proper gift.]

After that, I pulled out my SIM card and snapped it in half. I wound down the window and tossed it out. I let it drift away in the wind.

The next morning, Johnson received an express parcel at his office in Stewart Group.

He opened it. A weightless sheet of paper slipped out.

He swept a glance at it, and the next second, his expression changed drastically. His hand trembled as he grabbed his phone and dialed a number.

But no one answered.