Part 3The Sacred Book That Turned Them All Against Me

Looking at Anna’s determined eyes, I finally let go of her hand, but my heart continued to pound.

After my three sisters read the book’s contents, they were all shocked by what they saw. Immediately, they reacted just like Grandma and the police, trembling all over. Chloe and Isabella’s gazes turned icy cold. "Mom, I think you've been too soft on him. Next time, let us help you!"

"His arrival in this world was a mistake." With that, they both left.

Anna, too, ultimately failed to keep her promise to me. In her eyes now, I was no longer a good brother. "Mom, why didn't you just strangle him at birth? People like him don't deserve to exist in this world!"

Anna’s words sent a shiver down my spine. I was only twenty years old. What terrible mistake had I made to make them hate me so profoundly? Mom looked at me with a cold sneer. "Strangling him at birth would have been too easy on him, wouldn't it?"

"I want him to suffer endless torment, until he is finally tormented to death!"

I was utterly helpless, and terrified beyond measure. If even the police couldn't help me now, what hope did I have? In that moment, my emotions erupted. I knelt before Mom, sobbing. "Mom, what have I done? You want to torment me to death!"

"I'm your biological son! I want to have a loving relationship with my mother, just like other sons do! Every time I see my friends and their moms laughing and talking, I feel so envious..."

Before I could say another word, Mom rushed forward, slapping me repeatedly across the face without a second thought. "What are you? Do you think you deserve love from me?"

"Just keep envying others. You'll never get that kind of treatment in this life!"

Dad quickly stepped in front of Mom, pulling her away forcefully, but she struggled like a madwoman, trying to break free from Dad. "Get out of the way! I'm not done yet! Let me hit him a little longer!"

...

Listening to Mom’s words, it felt as though my birth was solely for her to vent her frustrations. Remembering all the suffering I had endured over the years, I could no longer bear it. Tears streamed down my face like broken pearls.

"Eva, this is a hospital. Whatever it is, we can talk about it at home!" Mom finally calmed down a bit, then walked out of the room with Anna. Dad stood with his back to me, unable to turn around, saying guiltily, "Rowan, it's all Dad's fault for being useless, for not protecting you..."

I choked out, "Dad, no matter what, can you promise me one thing?"

Dad turned his head, looking at me with heartache. "Tell me, Son. Dad will do his best to fulfill it."

"Dad, no matter what, please don't read Mom's book."

"There's absolutely some unknown secret in that book. Right now, you're the only one in the whole world on my side. I don't want you to become like my sisters and Grandma."

"If that really happens, I'm afraid I won't have the courage to live anymore..." I pleaded, almost begging.

Dad nodded, his voice firm. "Son, Dad promises you. No matter what, I won't read the contents of that book."

...

Dad ultimately broke his promise. Curiosity, in the end, outweighed his vow. That night, while Mom was asleep, he secretly opened the book. After reading its contents, Dad's affection and remorse for me vanished instantly. His face turned terrifyingly cold, and he muttered to his reflection in the mirror, "Rowan Miller, you shouldn't have come into this world!"

"Since you're here, you must accept this baptism!"

And I, lying in the hospital bed, remained completely oblivious to it all.