When I finally woke up, I was in a hospital bed. The nurse told me I had been unconscious for two full days and nights.
Aunt Sophia was the one who brought dinner that evening. A pang of disappointment hit me when I saw her instead of Mom. Noticing my frown, she snorted, “What? You don’t want to see me?”
“No, no. I’ve missed you,” I said quickly. After a hesitant pause, I asked, “Why didn’t Mom come?”
“She left right after bringing you here,” Aunt Sophia replied with a heavy sigh. “I swear I must have owed your family in a past life to get stuck dealing with all this trouble.”
Despite her grumbling, she carefully arranged the food for me. I was starving. I thanked her and began eating like I hadn’t seen food in weeks.
Aunt Sophia stood watching me. Once I had nearly finished, she asked, “What exactly did you do to make your mother so angry? She was devastated when you slammed your head into that bedside table.”
I hesitated, my heart racing. “I… I stole money from her.”
“That’s it?” She sounded skeptical, eyeing me closely. “You used to steal money as a kid, and she never got this upset.”
I felt a jolt of panic. Aunt Sophia was a police officer—she was sharp. The more I said, the more likely I was to slip up. I shrugged casually. “Maybe it’s because I’m older now and still doing stupid things. She probably thinks I’m hopeless.”
Aunt Sophia thought for a moment, then nodded with a wry smile. “Hopeless might be pushing it, but you’re definitely a handful.”
I forced a bitter laugh. “At least I know I’m still worth educating.”
She smirked. “You? A good kid? More like a little troublemaker.”
Her words made me uneasy. Before I could respond, Lily burst into the room with her schoolbag, her face lighting up when she saw me awake.
Seeing how genuinely concerned she was made me feel even guiltier. She always treated me like family and looked out for me, yet every time I was with her, my mind wandered to wanting her physically.
Lily sat by the bed and chatted with me for a while. When Aunt Sophia stepped into the hallway to take a call, she leaned in and whispered, “What’s really going on between you and your mom?”
I glanced at her, noting the mix of curiosity and suspicion in her eyes. I had to be careful. “It’s not that big a deal. I just…” I almost repeated the money story, but realized Lily might not buy it so easily.
After thinking quickly, I pretended to be annoyed. “It’s actually your fault.”
“My fault?” She looked genuinely surprised.
“You switched Mom into the study like some kind of prank. I thought it was you in bed, so I climbed in and started kissing and touching her. She thought I was some kind of pervert and nearly called the police.”
Lily covered her mouth, eyes wide. “Really?”
I decided to add more weight to the story. “Yeah. Plus, I stole money from the family a couple days ago. With Dad’s mess and your little prank on top of everything, Mom just snapped.”
Lily pursed her lips, considering it. “If I were her, I’d be pretty desperate too. Sounds like you became the punching bag.”
I wasn’t sure if she fully believed me or was just playing along.
Lily was easy to fool, but Aunt Sophia’s earlier comment worried me. She might have heard something from Lily and pieced things together. As a cop, she was trained to notice inconsistencies. Still, without solid proof—and with Mom’s reputation at stake—she probably wouldn’t say anything reckless.
When Aunt Sophia returned, she gave me a few more instructions and took Lily home.
Alone in the hospital bed, I couldn’t calm down. Where was Mom? With her strong personality, forgiveness wouldn’t come easily. I wondered if she felt even a little bit of concern when she saw me collapse.
Since there was nothing seriously wrong with me, Dad came to pick me up the next afternoon.
On the drive home, he kept pressing for details about what happened. Of course, I couldn’t tell him the truth—that his son had slept with his wife. I stuck to the same story I had told Aunt Sophia and Lily, embellishing it slightly.
The house felt empty and cold when we arrived. Mom was still gone. Without her, the place looked like a disaster—dishes piled up, everything out of place.
I wandered around the living room, feeling like a stranger in my own home. Just weeks ago, we had celebrated my birthday together as a normal family. Now everything was falling apart.
Dad sat on the sofa, smoking with a heavy, exhausted expression.
“Dad, have you seen Mom?” I asked.
“No.”
“Do you know where she went?”
“How would I know?”
“Did you even look for her?”
Dad stubbed out his cigarette angrily. “Of course I did! But she doesn’t want to be found. What else can I do?”
We sat in heavy silence.
After a while, Dad sighed. “Just focus on resting and studying. Don’t worry about the rest.”
I went to my room, but studying was impossible. I lay on the bed staring at the ceiling, wondering where Mom was and whether she could ever forgive me. If she did, I swore I would obey her, study hard, and never disappoint her again.
After a few days of recovery at home, I returned to school. Finals were approaching, and everyone around me was studying frantically. I, however, felt completely lost. Without Mom’s forgiveness, I had zero motivation.
The college entrance exam? It felt meaningless.
Mom remained missing for the next several days, and Dad was barely home either, probably searching for her. Mia was told to stay at school until after exams.
I was alone in the house for five or six long days.
One afternoon after school, as I approached our building, I spotted Anna standing at the entrance. She wore her light green school uniform and white sneakers, her hair in a neat ponytail with bangs framing her face. She looked innocent and well-behaved.
I wasn’t in the mood to deal with her. I walked past without saying a word.
She didn’t seem bothered and simply followed me quietly.
When I reached the door and pulled out my keys, I glanced back. She stood there silently, blinking her big, innocent eyes at me.
I didn’t want to argue. I unlocked the door, then pretended to be surprised. “Dad? You’re back?”
Anna instinctively turned around. I seized the moment, slipped inside, and slammed the door shut.
I peered through the peephole. Surprisingly, she didn’t knock or get angry. She just stood there expressionlessly, head slightly tilted.
After ten minutes, I assumed she had left. Then I heard soft sobbing outside.
Something felt wrong. I crept to the door and looked again. Anna was squatting against the opposite wall, hugging her knees and crying. Aunt Lee from downstairs had stopped during her walk, and the young mother next door was holding her toddler, both watching with concern.
Aunt Lee patted Anna’s shoulder. “Don’t just cry, sweetheart. Tell me what happened.”
The neighbor smiled gently. “Did that boy Ethan bully you?”
Anna looked up with tear-streaked cheeks, looking pitiful. “Brother Ethan said… he said he liked me. He chased me and… we slept together. Then I found out I’m his father’s illegitimate daughter—his half-sister. He… doesn’t want me anymore.”
I froze. Aunt Lee and the neighbor looked shocked, exchanging stunned glances.
“I came to see him today, but he wouldn’t let me in. He even hit me.” Anna rolled up her sleeve, revealing a bruise.
Panicking, I yanked the door open, pulled her inside, and turned to the neighbors with an awkward smile. “She’s my cousin. She’s staying with us for a couple days. I wouldn’t let her play games, so she’s throwing a tantrum and making up stories. Don’t mind her.”
Aunt Lee relaxed slightly. “She’s really your cousin?”
“Yes, yes. My aunt spoiled her. She loves making up wild stories. Just ignore it—it’s all nonsense.”
Before I could close the door, Anna poked her head out. “Even if he really is my half-brother, I don’t care. I still like him.”
“Get inside!” I hissed, pushing her head back in and shutting the door firmly.
Anna’s eyes were red, her nose pink. She looked at me sadly. I dragged her into the living room and whispered angrily, “What the hell are you trying to do?”
She blinked innocently. “If they ask, I’ll just tell the truth.”
“You can’t tell the truth about this!”
“Why not?”
I scratched my head in frustration. Finally, I gave up. “Fine. Stay if you want. Just don’t go outside spreading nonsense.”
I collapsed onto the sofa and pretended to watch TV, secretly keeping an eye on her.
Anna wandered around the apartment, inspecting everything. She tried to open my parents’ bedroom door.
“Don’t go in there,” I said quickly. “That’s Mom’s room.”
She turned with a smile. “Why can’t I go into your mom’s room?”
I hesitated. “You just can’t. Mom… wouldn’t like it.”
“Because she doesn’t accept me, right? You’re afraid it’ll upset her?”
“Exactly. You can go in any other room, but stay out of hers.”
“Your mom is scary.”
I almost shot back, but remembered her own mother was gone and swallowed the words.
She moved to Mia door. “What about this one? Can I go in?”
I shrugged. “Whatever.”
Anna touched the handle but didn’t open it. She walked away smiling.
She stopped in front of the family photo on the wall, staring at it quietly. It was from Dad’s birthday two years ago—back when we were still a normal, happy family.
Anna’s expression was calm, but her eyes held complicated emotions.
I felt a pang of sympathy. Maybe all she wanted was to belong here—to be part of a real family.
I cleared my throat. “If you behave and stop causing trouble, this can be your home too.”
She gave a contemptuous smile. “Too bad you don’t get to decide. Your mom would never agree.”
I was taken aback. She was right—I hadn’t even earned Mom’s forgiveness yet. How could I welcome her?
Still, I said stubbornly, “How do you know? You’re Dad’s daughter. If you behave, say the right things, and give her time, Mom’s heart will soften.”
Anna ignored me, staring at the photo a while longer before suddenly turning. “By the way, I haven’t served you in a while. Do you want it?”
I knew exactly what she meant. I felt both annoyed and amused. “No need. I’m not in the mood.”
“Really?” She walked over with a sly smile. “It feels really good.”
“I’m serious. I’m stressed and not in the mood for games.”
“I don’t believe you.”
Anna squatted in front of me, pulled down my pants, and freed my soft cock. I stayed slumped on the sofa, even lifting my hips to help her.
She wrapped her soft, smooth hand around it, stroking gently with her thumb circling the head playfully.
Normally, I would have gotten hard instantly, but this time I felt nothing. No mood, no energy. I remained expressionless as she stroked me.
After a while, seeing no reaction, Anna looked puzzled. “What’s wrong?”
“I told you—I’m not in the mood.”
“Really?”
She leaned in, took me into her warm, wet mouth, and sucked gently. Her tongue swirled around the head. There was a faint twitch of response, but the heavy weight on my mind kept me soft.
Finally, she pulled back, patted the head in frustration, and puffed her cheeks. “What’s going on? Why won’t you cooperate?”
I nearly laughed. I had seen her mischievous side many times, but this defeated expression was new—and oddly entertaining.
“Alright, time to accept reality.” I tucked myself away and fixed my clothes.
Anna stayed squatting, eyes calculating. “Are you sick or something?”
I teased her. “If it doesn’t work, it doesn’t work. Nothing’s wrong with me.”
She stood up angrily and stormed toward the door. Before leaving, she looked back and huffed, “Don’t get cocky. I’ll be back!”
Once she was gone, I felt a twinge of regret. Her crazy energy had been a brief distraction from the emptiness.
The next day after school, Anna didn’t appear. As soon as I entered the house, I heard sounds from the kitchen. My heart lifted—Mom must be back.
I didn’t even take off my shoes or drop my bag. I rushed to the kitchen doorway, mouth open to call her name, but froze.
It wasn’t Mom. It was Dad.
Disappointment hit me, followed by strange relief. I still wasn’t ready to face her.
Dad glanced back. “Ethan, you’re home. Dinner will be ready soon.”
I nodded and started to leave, then turned back. “Dad, did you find Mom?”
“Yes.”
“Really?” Joy surged through me. “Where is she?”
“She doesn’t want me to say. She needs some time alone.” Dad continued cooking. “I wanted to stay with her longer, but she told me you can’t cook and would live off takeout. She worried it would ruin your stomach.”
My nose stung. Tears welled up. Even after everything I had done, Mom was still thinking about my well-being. I didn’t deserve her.
I clenched my fists and slammed them against the wall twice, as if the pain could lessen my guilt.
Dad looked back, surprised. “What are you doing? Why are you crying, big boy?”
I wiped my tears and sniffled. “I… I miss Mom.”
“She’ll be back in a two of days. Go wash your face. You’re too old to be crying like this.”