My sister rushed to my side, pulling me into a tight embrace, her hand stroking my back over and over.
"Bert, it’s over now. Don’t be afraid. I’m here," she whispered soothingly.
The other girl wiped the tears from my face, her voice gentle.
"Brother, don’t worry. I’ve had all those bastards arrested. No one will ever hurt you again."
Watching the two of them put on such a sincere performance in front of me,
I could only let out a bitter smile.
But the ones who truly betrayed me,
who hurt me more than anyone else,
are you?
I closed my eyes weakly. After a long silence, I spoke, already knowing the answer.
“Sister, when will the operation start? The pain is unbearable…”
Upon hearing this, my sister suddenly slapped herself hard, her voice trembling with guilt.
“Bert, I’m so sorry! It’s all my fault for being so useless… I couldn’t even invite a top medical expert to treat you.”
“I just don’t trust any other doctors. What if they make a mistake and leave you with permanent complications? You’re still young… You’ll get married and have a family in the future…”
“Don’t worry, I’ll go to her in person and kneel if I have to. I swear, you’ll have the surgery first thing tomorrow morning.”