Chapter 3

I locked myself in my room.

A small utility room, barely ten square meters.

Vanessa said it was close to Jeremy's room, making it easier to help him during the night.

Only when Vanessa had a 'need' was I allowed to sleep in the master bedroom, and even then, I had to return to that small room by midnight, just in case Jeremy called out for me.

My mom quietly came to the utility room.

She looked unnatural as she apologized to me.

"Liam, don't blame me. I didn't mean to."

"Your dad died young, and I, a single woman, worked tirelessly to raise you, enduring so much hardship, and then I got sick. Now that things are finally getting better, we should cherish it."

I just quietly hummed in response.

My mom then turned and brought in three dishes and a soup.

"These are all your favorite dishes. Now that I'm better, I can make them for you every day if you like! Please don't be angry anymore, okay?"

I lowered my eyes.

"Mom, I'm not happy at all in Vanessa's house. I want a divorce. Will you come with me?"

My mom's expression immediately changed.

"I already told you to just turn a blind eye! Why are you so fragile, Liam? You're upset over a little bit of injustice? You can't handle that?"

"Even if you consider me, with your limited skills, can you afford my daily medication? Are you trying to send me to an early grave?"

My heart was heavy with mixed emotions.

I wanted to leave this house, but my mom thought I was being unreasonable.

I knew my mom looked down on me deep inside.

She believed that if I left Vanessa's house, I'd drag her down with me to starve on the streets.

Now, she dined on gourmet food, wore designer silks and furs – always the latest fashion. She literally sparkled with jewelry.

Meanwhile, I was wearing Jeremy's old clothes from years ago.

Because Vanessa said there was no need for me to dress well since I didn't go out.

But Jeremy wore custom designer clothes Vanessa bought for him.

Her excuse was that good clothes lifted a patient's spirits and aided recovery.

Comparing us, she seemed more like Vanessa and Jeremy's real mother.

Deep down, something felt off.

I tossed and turned that night, unable to sleep.

I went to the living room to get a glass of water.

I heard faint sounds coming from Noah's room.

I opened the door a crack, and the scene inside made my heart pound.

Knowing Vanessa had betrayed me was one thing; seeing it with my own eyes was another.

She was like a different person, her face filled with a seductive allure.

"Your legs aren't fully better yet, so I'll take the lead!"

Jeremy looked utterly satisfied.

"It's even more thrilling right under Liam's nose. Good thing your mom is covering for us."

Jeremy meant that my mom was covering for them?

This discovery filled my heart with despair.

But I didn't dare question my mom, didn't dare ask why she would do such a thing. Was it merely gratitude for Vanessa saving her life?

Jeremy had heard from a friend about a 'sacred mountain' that was said to grant miracles. Many people with incurable illnesses claimed their conditions inexplicably improved after making a pilgrimage there.

But Jeremy was paralyzed from the waist down and couldn't walk.

Vanessa demanded I climb the mountain and bow my head to the ground nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine times, praying for Jeremy's recovery.

"You "have" to go!"

My mom pleaded with me.

"Liam, if you don't go, should Vanessa, a woman, go? Or should I go myself?"

"It's not a problem for me to go, but I'm old. I might not make it back down once I'm up there. You need to think carefully!"

Thick snow blanketed the sacred mountain in an expanse of pristine white.

Vanessa pushed me, thinly dressed, out of the car.

"Remember, you must bow your head nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine times, or Jeremy won't get better!"

Other tourists stared in shock at my thin clothing, murmuring amongst themselves.

Vanessa held up her phone, speaking to the person on the other end.

"Jeremy, do you see? Liam will pray for you. Your legs will be better very soon!"