章節 323: [63.6] Cyrus POV: Happy 30th Birthday, Reika Kang.
In the next memory, she and her friend were drinking together. Reika looked around, "Hanabae… Your place is such a mess… What even are all these things?"
Reika picked up a strange-looking statue as her friend explained, "Oh, I have a tendency to start a lot of projects but never finish them."
Reika stood up and looked around, pulling up a chain, "And this?"
"Oh. That is going to be a necklace. I'm handcrafting everything. Even the jewels."
"Wow! That's really cool!"
"Yeah, unfortunately, everything is unfinished. Unless I'm locked up, I can't seem to get myself to finish it. I just get so distracted and lose all interest once I start things."
Reika gave her a wink, "Maybe I should lock you up."
She laughed, "Don't tempt me with a good time."
"Hm…" Reika thought as she looked around, "Maybe I should start painting again… It's been a few years since I have touched a paintbrush."
"Do it! Oh! And my brother can sell it!"
Reika gave her a look, "Your brother is a businessman now?"
She forced on a helpless smile, "He… He's recently started an auction house."
Reika rolled her eyes, "I wonder how he funded that."
She giggled, "I think we both know."
Reika let out a sigh and placed her head on her friend's shoulder, "Must be nice…"
"I know right?"
Reika's face suddenly contorted, "Hanabae, you smell. Go take a shower."
Her friend groaned, "UGH! Yes, mom."
I was suddenly thrown backward and watched as the two grew smaller while I flew away. My back collided against a wall and I stared back at the painting with the two girls. The painting was now barely visible as a thicker fog was now occupying the hallway.
I narrowed my eyes, "Did the smoke get thicker?"
I stood up and had to walk closer to the new paintings in order to see them. As I walked, the smoke grew thicker. I tried to ignore it and fully understand what each new painting meant.
Reika returned back to making artwork, even selling it for a lot of money. She seemed to be improving, but her distaste for children didn't seem to disappear. She no longer led the tours for children due to her recent behavior, but she was able to keep working at the museum she loved.
I finally arrived at the last painting in the row and watched as Reika was in front of a cake with friends all around her smiling.
Hanabae clapped from beside her, "Wow! 30 years old… What are you going to do now, old lady? Retire? Live on an island?"
Reika chuckled and nudged her playfully, "You are only a few years younger than me, so don't call me old."
Hanabae narrowed her eyes and leaned forward, "Huh? What's that?"
Reika panicked, "What is it? Do I have something in my teeth?"
Hanabae tapped Reika's forehead, "I see wrinkles."
Reika slapped off her hand as she laughed, "Keep it up and I will give YOU wrinkles!"
"I don't even know what that means!"
I smiled at the two, feeling the warmth radiating from their friendship, "Happy birthday, Reika."
Reika's eyes suddenly raised from the cake and candles, meeting mine with a strange smile, "Do you know what I got for my birthday that year?"
I was surprised that she responded to me from inside the painting, "Huh?"
Hands reached out and once more, pulled me inside.
創作者的想法 
Nekoru
Nekoru With the end of this week's chapter, I want to emphasize one thing.
Never once was it Reika's fault nor is she to blame for anything that happened.
It's common for people in abusive relationships to stay simply because it is safer than leaving, or because they are completely isolated from anyone who could help.
The degenerate in this story saw Reika as a vulnerable victim deprived of love and took advantage of it. It is a thing that happens often in real life.
***If you ever experience gaslighting, emotional manipulation, isolation from friends and family, or physical abuse; please seek help from a trusted individual.
I only hope that this story may help someone spot the early signs of abuse and leave before it gets too far.
每周推薦票狀態
-- 推薦票
榜單 
-- 推薦票