The Family's Regret, Too Late Now

hem, of nearly destroying the tech

ocked me in my room, leaving me without food or w

to suffocate, they dismissed my desperate scream

them say through the thick oak door

omed as a sister. They chose her lies over their own blood, forgetting ho

th a desperate gasp in a h

I wo

silent witness, waiting for the moment they would finally

pte

sea'

a whimper, alone in a room that sm

in a hospital, not in

nymore. I was floating, formless, a silent observer in the very room th

grand hallway outside. The heavy oak d

and utterly devoid of th

ctly tailored despite the late hour. His presence always seemed

ther's ruthless efficiency. His arm was wrapped around Ivy Win

ally preferred the solitude of his lab. He followed clos

dress shimmered under the chandeliers, a sta

ice thick with concern as he helped Ivy onto the

or any sign of distress. "You looked truly dra

d fragile. She leaned her head against Corbin's shoulder. "Just a

nuine worry. "You should rest, Ivy. Perhaps a warm

, hollow laugh escape from where my lungs used to

r family for decades, shuffled forward, her hands clasp

n Ivy, snapped to Mrs. Gable. His face

her voice trembling slightly. "And... she' s been call

like a whip. "That's enough, Mrs.

le floor. She knew better than to argue with Emilio when he

eld a dismissive glint. "It's what she always does when she doesn't get her way. She thinks if

, his jaw tight. "She c

tands the gravity of her actions. It's not about punishing her, it's about making her see the damage she'

r own good. She needs to learn responsibility." He shot a stern look at Mrs. Gable. "No one is

ommunication logs are completely empty. No outbound calls, no me

d her burner phone or found a way to bypass our block. Trying to cover her trac

t, Emilio. It must be hard for her to face the con

lways been a drama queen. Anything to avoid responsibility.

is kind of behavior will not be tolerated. We built this company

d and final. "No contact, no privileges, until she confes

f my betrayal? I wanted to scream, to lash out, but my voice was gone, my form

a shadow, a witnes

y young. It left a void that even the vastness of the estate couldn't fill. Emilio and Erland, years older, had bee

hip. I yearned for

in' s girlfriend. She was charming, intelligent, and seemed to understand the complex dynamics of our family better than anyone

to twist my words, to paint me as the volatile, irresponsible black sheep. She fanned the flames of my brothers' exi

y planting digital breadcrumbs that led straight to my name. My father, blinded by her flattery and his own obses

al. Confined to my room, stripped

hest tightened, a burning sensation clawing at my throat. My medical condition, usually managea

wood. "Please! I can't breathe! I need help!" My voice

Emilio's voice, muffled through the thick door, wa

d replied, his tone wear

, saccharine sweet, cut through the wood

ce cracking. "It's not a

, dismissive sound that echoe

. "Trying to manipulate us. Don't worry, she'll calm down when she real

my ribs, a frantic bird trapped in a cage. The last shred of hope wit

ing. The air was a suffocating blanket. My

it through the crack under the door

d, a silent accusation in the suffocating v