Chapter 4

After bringing the money to school, I was cornered again in the alley behind the school by Robert and his gang.

They shoved me around, pulled my hair, and spat on me.

They grabbed my newly paid prep books and ripped them to shreds, scattering the pages in the dirt.

Then, the sky opened up, and a heavy downpour began. Only then did they decide to leave me alone.

"Hey, fat boy, I'll let you off easy today. See you tomorrow," Robert sneered.

On his wrist was the million-dollar watch my parents bought him, and he wore designer sneakers worth thousands.

He gave my head a cruel kick, then turned and walked away with a smug laugh.

This time, I didn't try to hide my bruises or clean myself up before going home to keep my parents from worrying.

Instead, shivering in the cold rain, I curled up against the brick wall and called them, sobbing.

"Mom, Dad... I got jumped at school. They beat me up really badly, and it hurts."

"It's pouring rain, and I'm freezing and soaked. Can you please come pick me up?"

"I'm in the alley behind the school gates."

My mother’s voice over the line sounded deeply annoyed. "Ethan, what kind of joke is this? Why would anyone just jump you for no reason?"

"Did you provoke someone?"

My dad's voice echoed in the background. "Exactly. Why would they target you and not anyone else?"

"How did we raise you? Don't go looking for trouble. Do you think our family can afford to pay for any trouble you cause?"

Listening to their barrage of accusations, my heart froze over completely.

But I still tried to explain. "I didn't provoke anyone. It was Robe—"

My dad cut me off before I could finish the name.

"Enough. We are very busy right now. Deal with it yourself."

"We can't get involved in school drama. You're a big boy now, Ethan. I'm sure you can handle it."

With that, he hung up.

I was left alone in the alley, waiting. Eventually, I dragged myself and my ruined backpack out into the street.

Just then, a sleek luxury SUV drove past. Through the rain-streaked window, I saw my parents sitting inside with Robert.

They were laughing, looking incredibly happy and warm—a picture of family bliss I had never been allowed to share.

By the time I stumbled back to our cramped apartment, it was late, and my parents weren't home yet.

Every bone in my body ached, and my head felt like it was on fire. I collapsed onto the living room sofa and fell into a feverish sleep.

When I opened my eyes again, my vision was blurry, and my parents were standing over me, looking frantic.

"Ethan! Oh my god, you have a terrible fever! Are you okay? Do you want some water?"

My dad looked guilt-ridden. "It's our fault, Ethan. We were so caught up in work that we couldn't get to you in time, and you had to walk home in the rain. Don't worry, I'm taking you to the ER right now."

He bent down to help me up when his phone suddenly rang.

My dad glanced at the screen, immediately covered the microphone with his hand, and stepped aside, whispering, "Robert, what's wrong?"

A moment later, his voice spiked with panic. "What? The power went out at the villa? And you tripped and hurt your leg?"

Realizing he had yelled, he quickly looked back at me. Seeing me flushed with fever and barely conscious, he let out a subtle sigh of relief.

Then, he spoke into the phone, "Robert, don't worry, buddy. We’re on our way right now."

After hanging up, he and my mom whispered frantically for a few seconds. Then, he came over and shook my shoulder.

"Ethan, listen to me. Mom and Dad suddenly have an emergency at work. There's fever medicine in the cabinet. Take some and get some sleep."

"If you don't feel better tomorrow, we’ll take you to the clinic, okay?" my dad said, looking incredibly apologetic.

They thought I was too delirious with fever to hear them, but I had heard every single word.

My dad was worried about Robert. My mom was even more anxious. And so, I was left behind.

After all, to them, a simple fever wouldn't kill me.