NovelEnglishChapter 322: This marked the beginning of a period of unexpected joy for Jeffrey. Each evening brought him a simple yet profound happiness-standing beneath the vast night sky, connecting with the stars above.
Often, he would tug at Rachel's sleeve with childlike uncertainty. "Rachel, there are so many stars in the sky," he would whisper, his voice tinged with worry. "Which one is our mom? I'm afraid I'll pick the wrong one, and she won't recognize me." Tears would silently course down Rachel's cheeks as she pointed toward the most luminous celestial body visible that night. She would assure him, “She's the most beautiful and the brightest one." That night, excitement kept Jeffrey awake long past bedtime. His newfound connection to their mother sustained his happiness for an entire month.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtThen cChristmas, when Kate returned home.
She discovered Jeffrey alone in the yard, his face tilted skyward in quiet communion with the stars. Curiosity drew her to his side. "Jeffrey, what are you doing? Why are you always staring at the stars?" With unguarded enthusiasm, Jeffrey shared his precious secret. “Kate, I'm looking at my mom. She's up there." Kate froze momentarily before dissolving into laughter.
Jeffrey watched her, bewilderment clouding his expression. His young mind struggled to comprehend her reaction but found no answers. When her laughter finally subsided, he cocked his head. "Kate, why are you laughing?" Her amusement redoubled as she pointed at him dismissively. "Oh, Jeffrey... you really don't know? You're such a fool." His face scrunched up in frustration. "I'm not a fool! I'm your elder brother!" Kate smirked, nodding exaggeratedly. "Yes, my foolish brother." Then, with a tic sigh, she lifted her chin and shattered his month-long dream with a single sentence.
"Jeffrey, you are so silly. Stars are just stars. How can people turn into those tiny dots in the sky? Your mom isn't up there at all. Who told you that? Was it Rachel?" Jeffrey's small hands clenched into fists. His cheeks puffed up in defiance.
But Kate wasn't finished. "I'm not finished," she said, crossing her arms. "Do you want to know where your mom really is?" "Where?" His voice was barely a whisper.
Kate shrugged. "Nowhere. She's dead. Do you even know what 'dead' means? It means no more breath, no talking, no crying, and no laughing. Oh, and I heard that when people die, their muscles rot. Bugs eat them, and their bones turn to dust." That day, Kate's words completely shattered Jeffrey's world.
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He clasped his hands over his ears, his mind refusing to process what he'd just heard. Tears cascaded down his cheeks as he desperately protested, "No! That's a lie! You're making this up! Just stop! Stay away from me!"
But Kate held her ground. "Jeffrey, whether you believeor not doesn't change the truth. Think about it-if your mom were still alive, wouldn't she have cfor you by vel now? Did she ever stand up for your when you were hurt? Was she there to care for you when you were sick? She's gone, Jeffrey. And you know what else? My mom toldthat she died giving birth to you and Rachel. Face it-Rachel is a curse. If she hadn't been born, maybe your mom would still be alive, and you wouldn't be all alone."
Kate, just a child herself, spoke with a cold certainty far beyond her years.
Her words were sharp as daggers, cutting deep, leaving wounds that would never fully heal.
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