chapter 4

Hallie's words instantly sent the livestream into chaos.

[No way! Did I hear that right?]

[Gordon used to be mute? That can't be! His voice is amazing!]

[This drama's too much. My brain needs a break!]

...

Comments flew across the screen like crazy.

Even the show's crew at the scene was frozen in place, eyes wide with shock.

"What are you trying to pull, Hallie?" Gordon's voice dropped, and his stare turned ice cold.

Hallie let out a sarcastic laugh. "I'm not pulling anything."

"I just think everyone deserves to know the truth."

As she stepped closer to Gordon, she spoke slowly, "You came to this welfare home when you were five, right?

"Back then, you couldn't speak, and the other kids picked on you all the time.

"But Abby never looked down on you.

"She played with you, stuck up for you, and treated you like her own little brother.

"To help you speak again, she started working in sketchy restaurants when she was only ten!

"She even taught herself needle treatment.

"She'd poke herself with needles every day, trying to learn the right points—just so she could treat you faster.

"And what did you do for her in return?"

Hallie gave a bitter smile.

Gordon did not say a word, but his face twisted with guilt and confusion.

Watching this unfold, I felt a dull ache in my chest.

Maybe Gordon never really thought of me as family.

Otherwise, how could he turn on me so easily—just because Alison lent him a book?

[Oh no, Gordon had it rough growing up.]

[Y'all are crying for the wrong person—it's Abigail we should be feeling bad for!]

[She was such a good person. What happened to her?]

...

The livestream was getting hotter by the second.

"Gordon, why aren't you saying anything? Why let her say all that stuff?"

Alison started to panic as Gordon stayed quiet.

Hallie then turned her sharp gaze toward her. "Oh, look, it's the sweet little angel of the entertainment world," she said sarcastically.

"Alison, you sure know how to play innocent.

"You're the reason Abby got kicked out of her own house, aren't you?"

"I didn't do anything!" Alison's eyes turned red, and she looked hurt.

"Don't talk about my sister like that!" Anthony stepped in, voice cold.

"I won't let you insult my daughter!" Mom added, glaring at Hallie.

I watched as they all stood around Alison, protecting her.

And I could not help it—jealousy filled my chest.

Why?

Why didn't I ever get love like that?

Why did my own mother and brother treat another girl like she was their real family?

I did not get it, and maybe I did not care anymore.

My life was already over anyway.

"Were you close with my sister?" Alison asked Hallie, still trying to be polite.

"Did she say bad things about me?"

"I really think this is all just a big misunderstanding."

Hallie gave a cold smile. "Abby never said a single bad word about you."

"Then why do you think I bullied her?" Alison looked confused.

Hallie scoffed. "If you really saw her as your sister, why didn't you speak up when the landlord lied about her?

"You knew this was being live-streamed. Everyone was watching.

"But you just stood there and let people hate her."

Alison's face twisted. "How do you even know it was a lie?" she said.

"The landlord saw an old man in her bed with his own eyes!

"And those big red words about debt on the wall—were those fake too?"

Just then, a voice shouted out from the crowd at the welfare home.

"I'm that old man!"