A Call From Yesterday"

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The video call on New Years Eve came without warning. On the screen was my eight-years-younger self, excitedly sharing the news of Amelia Vances confession. His eyes shone, and he spoke effusively about a beautiful future, saying Amelia would plant all his favorite flowers, spend every New Years Eve with him, and forever pamper him like a prince.

I listened quietly, a faint smile playing on my lips, not interrupting his dreams. Suddenly, he stopped, his gaze sweeping over the empty room behind me, and he asked curiously, Wheres Amelia? We must be incredibly happy eight years from now, right?

I didnt answer, simply slowly rotated the phone camera, aiming it at the other end of the living room. There, Amelia Vance was pressed tightly against the floor-to-ceiling window by a stranger, kissing him passionately. Amelias body was pushed slightly forward, one hand leaving a damp print on the fogged glass. She gasped softly, even naughtily pinching the mans butt. The man seemed somewhat uncomfortable, lifting his head. Only then did he see me through the glass, clearly startled. Immediately after, he clung to Amelia again, as if boneless, rubbing against her playfully. Amelia, is there someone else in your house?

Amelia was unconcerned, even deepening the kiss, matching the mans posture. In the midst of the kiss, she opened her eyes and looked at me, her gaze filled with coldness and amusement. Dont mind him, she said casually. He wont care, will he?

Care?

Id grown tired of saying that years ago. From hysterical crying to numb acceptance, and finally, no longer even having the will to speak. However, the eight-years-younger me on the screen had turned ashen, his hand trembling as he ended the call first. But the performance by the window was escalating. I simply lowered my head and sent a New Years greeting to my sister, who had long since vanished, to distract myself.

The man now laughed excitedly, his hands bolder as they roamed over Amelia. Where did you find a husband so understanding? Then, they intertwined, coats, ties, shirts scattered all the way up the stairs. Facing such a scene had become a regular feature, a colorful movie playing in this cold villa. I couldnt even bothered to lift an eyelid.

As the awkward holiday comedy on TV grew drowsy, and I was on the verge of falling asleep on the sofa, the housemaid woke me. He spoke with difficulty. Ms. Vance asked you to go buy a box of lubricant

On New Years Eve, the streets were deserted, with only a few novelty shops open. I walked against the cold wind for over half an hour. When I returned, I vaguely heard two maids inside discussing me. Mr. Thompson is truly pitiful. These past eight years, hes lived worse than a servant. Well, whose fault is it that he married Ms. Vance through such underhanded means? For Ms. Vance to even give him a title is already being more than generous.

Memories violently pulled me back to the past. Amelia had gone traveling to a rural village, and we met, fell in love. Our love was pure and fervent, like the mountain wind. I followed her, risking everything, to the city where she lived. But her father vehemently opposed it, despising me as a country bumpkin. Yet, Amelia had tightly clasped my hand and said, Dont be afraid. Ill make my dad agree to us.

Later, my sister, who lived in that rural village and had never gambled, suddenly incurred a massive gambling debt. Desperate, she listened to someones suggestion. If she could just get me into Amelias bed, making it a fait accompli, the Vance family, to save face, would surely let Amelia marry me, and the debt could be repaid. My sister drugged both Amelia and me. After a chaotic night, Amelias gaze at me, once full of tender affection, turned cold and disgusted.

She married me, and she also threw a check at me. Remember, this money, you owe me. Marriage, from what should have been a mutually loving dream, had turned into what she perceived as a conspiracy engineered by my sister and me to trap her.

It wasnt that I hadnt brought up divorce later. Each time I did, she would sneer, You want a divorce? Fine. Pay back that fifty million, principal and interest. Otherwise, Ill find your sister and make sure she rots in jail. My sister was long gone, whereabouts unknown. This debt was cemented onto me.

Amelia opened the bedroom door, her upper body covered in bright red marks, glaringly obvious. What took you so long? She snatched the box from my hand. Its plastic edge brushed my cheek, a stinging sensation. Hes just too big; he couldnt wait. My peripheral vision caught the naked figure on the large bed in the room. My stomach churned. I turned to flee. But she asked me from behind, with amusement, Why dont you stay and join us? I finally couldnt stand it anymore. I stumbled to the toilet and vomited violently.

I video-called my eight-years-younger self again. I asked, Do you think she still loves me? He cried, still disbelieving. How could she become like this? She clearly said she only loved me! I knew that without having personally experienced these years of despair, words alone couldnt convey the depth of it. Perhaps, he would still, like I once did, make excuses for her, believing it was just a temporary misunderstanding. I didnt blame him, but invited him to keep watching.

On New Years Day, when I woke up, the man from last night was already gone. But he had left a pair of underwear on the sofa. Amelia followed my gaze, then suddenly wrapped her arms around my waist, pulling me closer. What, are you jealous? She looked up, intending to kiss me, but I instinctively recoiled. This made the rare hint of tenderness in her eyes quickly turn to mockery. Always this miserable, half-dead look. You only ever sound like a human being the night you drugged me and climbed into my bed. Her words stabbed at my heart, a wave of shame spreading through me. But she just pushed me away coldly. Alright, its New Years Day. We have to go back to the family estate to greet my dad.

Amelias father was the person I least wanted to face. All these years, his gaze at me had always been like I was some kind of filth. But to my surprise, this time, he didnt even glance at me. He was on the sofa, chatting happily with the same man who had been embracing Amelia last night. It turned out he was Leo Thorne, Amelias original arranged fianc. Mr. Vance patted Leos hand, his eyes full of satisfaction. Good boy. If it hadnt been for that wretched boy, you would be our son-in-law by now.

Amelia also walked over, smiling playfully. Dad, Im already married. Why bring all this up? If you like him, just have him come over more often to keep you company.

Then what capacity would I come in? Should I call you sister? Leo chuckled. But the term sister had tormented me all last night as they had indulged themselves, punctuated by its repeated use. At this moment, they exchanged smiles, looking like a true family. And I stood awkwardly at the periphery, like an abrupt outsider.

At dinner, simply because Leo said, Id like some beef, Mr. Vance had the kitchen prepare an entire table of beef dishes. Our ethnic group had a tradition of not eating beef; we couldnt even touch it. Seeing me hesitate to pick up my chopsticks, Mr. Vance finally turned his gaze to me, his face full of annoyance. What are you standing around for? Eat! Dont be so delicate! In the Vance family, you should do as the locals do, understand?!

I looked at Amelia helplessly, placing my last hope in her. At least she used to understand me. Then, she picked up something that looked like a mushroom and placed it on my plate. Dad, dont scare him. The thoughtfulness in her tone made me momentarily see the Amelia of the past. This isnt beef, Adrian. Try it, it tastes good. I ate it without suspicion, but the moment my teeth closed around it, Leos laughter broke the silence. He pointed at me, his voice innocent yet cruel. Look! He ate the beef! I told you, theres no such thing as beliefs or taboos. Its all just an excuse, putting on airs!

Amelia had lied to me. I stumbled to the restroom, sticking my fingers down my throat. I wanted to vomit out that piece of meat, along with all the humiliations and betrayals I had swallowed these past years. Physiological tears blurred my vision. I video-called my eight-years-younger self again. This time, he was silent for a very, very long time.

Then, he began to recall, by the clear stream in our village. She looked at me, her eyes bright like stars: Adrian, I did my research beforehand. Your people dont eat beef, right? When were together, Ill be with you, and Ill never touch it either. But now? The me on the other end of the video was even more despairing than I was. This isnt not what I wanted He cried, his voice raw, repeating over and over: It hurts too much.

Does it hurt? But I had grown used to it, unable to shed another tear.

Amelia disappeared for several days again. As I spent my days staring blankly at my phone, I unexpectedly received a message from my sister, asking to meet. The message was like a ray of light in the darkness, making me believe she had come to pull me out of this mire. But in reality, my sister grasped my hand, trembling. Adrian, Im so sorry I think Ive been set up Theyre demanding thirty million from me now, or theyll take my life Hope shattered in an instant, replaced by a deeper helplessness. The previous fifty million had already nailed me to the pillar of shame, forcing me to sell myself for money, tormented day and night. How could I now ask Amelia for more?

As I stood bewildered, the positive result on my pregnancy test seemed like a cruel jokeAmelia was pregnant with my child. I finally waited for Amelia to come home. Thirty million for this child, is it a fair trade? My voice was so calm, it felt unfamiliar even to myself. Her pupils constricted. The next second, she grabbed my throat, shoving me violently against the wall. A suffocating sensation instantly overwhelmed me. Her eyes surged with fury and undisguised hatred. How did I not realize before that you were such a schemer? You can even put a price tag on the child in my womb! Do you even have a heart, damn it? Aside from money, is there no genuine feeling between us?

Genuine feeling? All my genuine feelings had long ago, through countless nights of humiliation over these eight years, been ground into dust by her own hands. A gust of wind, and nothing was left. I ignored her malice, stubbornly asking her, A trade?

She was finally completely enraged by my attitude, threw me onto the bed, and recklessly tore at my clothes. Amelia Vance! Youre pregnant with my child! Not now! As I struggled desperately, she pulled out a card and threw it at my face. Fine! Ill buy this childs life! She leaned close, her breath hot on my ear, every word a stab to my heart. If its gone, thats on me too.

That night was a living hell. I took her to the hospital to confirm. The child was still there. I touched her still-flat belly, feeling a bond for the first time.

A few days later, Amelia returned home. Ill stay with you until hes born, to be worth your thirty million. She paused, lost in thought as she looked at her slightly swollen abdomen. Then, she violently slammed the ash tray next to her onto the floor. A jarring crash. You win! She didnt even glance at my feet, cut by the shards, but turned and slammed the door shut again.

That night, I once again video-called my eight-years-younger self. I dont want my future days to be like this He shook his head, his voice broken. I dont want my baby to be born into a home filled only with humiliation I dont Listening to his repeated whispers, I suddenly felt that perhaps everything could still change.

A few days after the thirty million was transferred, my sister asked to meet me again. This time, she cried, repeatedly hitting herself. Little brother, Im not human! I owe another ten million I swear, this is the last time! I stared at her blankly, unable to think of any other reason to beg Amelia. I could only wait for her to come home again, then kneel before her. Give me another ten million. Ill do anything you want!

Amelia kicked me away, then suddenly laughed. What part of you is still worth ten million? Watching her retreating figure as she slammed the door again, I knew she had probably shown me all the leniency she had. But my sister then sent me a video of her being beaten on the ground by several people. I had no choice but to call Amelia over and over, pleading: Please, Ill even die for you! Then, I listened all night to her and Leos activities, without receiving a single reply.

At dawn, when I found my sister again, she was already lying on the ground, covered in blood. She used her last strength to grasp me: Little brother Im so sorry for what I did to you, for not stopping you from being with her I froze, hearing. Yesterday I found out, it was the Vance family who tricked me into gambling a setup Every time it was even the forced marriage was their idea Every word, I understood, but combined they were so cruel. The Vance family? Then what was all I endured these eight years? Was I foolish, or did I deserve it?

I didnt even have time to digest the crushing truth. The doctor informed me that my sister had multiple organ failure and was in critical condition. Deeper than despair was another despair. Just as I was crying, begging the doctor to save my sister, Amelia appeared at the hospital, embracing Leo, who had twisted his back in bed last night.

Amelia Vance! The hatred, accumulated for too long, exploded. I rushed forward like a madman, grabbing her collar, becoming hysterical. It was you! It was your family who set up my sister! Wasnt it?! Amelia froze, then frowned. What nonsense are you talking about! I wouldnt stoop to such underhanded tactics! I pointed at my sister, teetering between life and death on the hospital bed, my fingertips trembling. Amelia Vance, stop pretending! What is it you cant do?! You played us, my sister and me, like puppets. Are you satisfied now?!

Amelias face darkened, her eyes turning completely cold. Adrian, remember, this is all your own doing! She gestured to the doctor beside her. Get all the doctors in the hospital over here, treat Mr. Thornes back. As for certain half-dead people, no need to waste medical resources. One by one, the doctors, ignoring my screams and pleas, removed all the tubes and equipment from my sister. Soon, my sisters body convulsed one last time, then fell silent.

I collapsed to the ground, crying, watching Amelia leave, embraced by Leo. Amelia Vance, if I could do it all over again, I would never repeat the same mistakes.

A sharp pain suddenly shot through her lower abdomen. Warm liquid gushed out, spreading down her pants. Before losing consciousness, I made one last call to my eight-years-younger self. Leave her. I spoke with a dying despair. We can live again. He bit his lip hard, and finally nodded. Okay.

Perhaps out of a last shred of conscience, or perhaps remembering Adrian had lost both his sister and his child, Amelia uncharacteristically returned home early. Pushing open the door, a strange emptiness washed over her. She hadn't yet pinpointed what was missing. Just then, the maid brought her a cup of coffee. She took a sip, then spat it out, frowning deeply. The taste is off. Have Adrian make it again.

The maid looked bewildered. Adrian? Sir, which Adrian? Amelias heart inexplicably tightened. Impatiently, she said, My husband, Adrian! The maid looked even more confused. Ms. Vance, when did you get married? We havent heard you have a husband.