I looked at him calmly. After five years, he had grown taller and more handsome, but his gaze showed more disgust than he would show a stray dog. I once thought blood was the strongest bond, but now I knew it could be thinner than paper.
Beatrice’s weak voice reached me. “Brother, don’t blame her... I was careless... I made her unhappy… She must have suffered a lot in there. It’s natural she hates me…” Her half-hearted words only added fuel to the fire.
My brother’s rage grew, but I saw a brief hesitation in his eyes that lasted less than three seconds.
“Apologize!” he roared. “Apologize to Beatrice now! If you don’t, I’ll tie you up and take you back where you belong!”
My mother cried, “Elena, just give in. Beatrice is already like this… What more do you want?”
My father’s face darkened. “Apologize to Beatrice!”
Under their angry stares, I calmly said to Beatrice, “I’m sorry.”
Seeing me “give in,” their faces softened a little. My parents and brother left the ward to get Beatrice’s hospital paperwork and supplies.
Once the door closed, only Beatrice and I were left in the ward. She quickly wiped away her tears and weakness.