Chapter 46: CHAPTER 46. Not The First Time

After a short silence, Gabriel asked, “You’re not asking why?”

“Do I need to?” Masha replied with a drawn-out sigh. “But I’m still curious about one thing: when exactly did you come up with this twisted idea?”

“When your brother asked if I was Sleeping Beauty. These words hinted that I had slept for a certain amount of time, and your next words confirmed my thought. The underlying meaning indicated that I had been in a coma, probably due to a head wound. Then came the idea of pretending to have lost my memory.”

“Honestly…. I’m surprised you were so clear-minded after emerging from a two-week coma. Shouldn’t you have been muddle-headed? Or, I don’t know, a little confused?”

“As you know, it’s not the first coma I’ve experienced—but I do hope that’s going to be the last one. My brain can only take so much damage,” Gabriel scoffed, a cold light flashing in his emerald eyes. “Of course, it took me a few seconds to organize my thoughts and recognize that strange feeling of sluggishness. This, coupled with your brother’s words and yours, made it rather easy to guess what happened. Although I admit my memory of why I fell into a coma is blurry. Really, I don’t remember much of that day, so I’m not completely lying.”

“Sorry, it was my brother’s fault. He threw a tantrum and was careless. He said you saved him.” Masha murmured as she lowered her head, pausing to chew on her lips. “Just now, I didn’t think before opening my mouth. I didn’t want you to remember such awful memories. That first coma of yours….”

“Don’t make that face. It has already been four years since then,” Gabriel interrupted, trying to stretch out a hand to ruffle the teenage girl’s hair only to realize that he didn’t have the strength to, and seeing the state of his hands... better not to move them carelessly. He could only let his arm fall back on the bed. “Although the anger is still there, I am not devoured by it anymore. I’m fine.”

“You say so, but aren’t you planning to take revenge on them no matter what? Pretending to have amnesia….” Masha paused and shook her head. “It’s for that purpose, isn’t it?”

“If the law can’t bring my mother justice, I need to do it myself. Even if she wasn’t the best mother in the world, she still loved me from the bottom of her heart,” Gabriel confirmed, his cold gaze turning somewhat gentle, albeit only for a short moment. “But don’t worry, I won’t do anything stupid, nor will I commit a crime.”

“I know you won’t; you’re too cool-headed for that. But that’s not what I’m afraid of. I’m scared of what that woman will try to do to you. We both know who caused you to fall into your first coma and how vicious she is. She won’t miss this opportunity to get rid of you, not now that you’re weak and defenseless.”

“I don’t think so. Knowing her, she won’t do anything too extreme—for the time being, at least. Now that I have lost my memory, I’m not a threat to her or her sons’ position in my father’s heart. She’s all too aware of my father’s personality. He’ll never allow a sick person to become his heir, which means the spot is open for one of her children.”

“For goodness’ sake, that damned company should be yours, not theirs!” Masha growled through gritted teeth, clenching her fists in a vain attempt to restrain her anger. Whenever the topic was brought up, she felt like strangling someone.

“A company built on shady deals?” Gabriel sneered, contempt distorting his beautiful face. “I’m not interested in it.”

“I know, but still! Your mother sacrificed so much for it, and it was a flourishing business in the beginning. It’s your father who’s destroying it! He forgot what human rights mean, only thinking of profits!”

As Masha talked, her face turned redder and redder. Her chest felt stuffy, and she had the urge to scream her lungs out, yet Gabriel was the same as ever; it was as if what they were talking about didn’t concern him. It made her feel even more depressed and helpless. Whenever Gabriel acted like a block of ice, it only reminded her that the sunny boy she had once known would never come back.

Oh gosh, she missed him so much.

“I don’t want to shoulder the sins of my father. My shoulders are not broad enough,” Gabriel smirked. “Although the company has a clean name in Canada, that’s not the case in South America. Too many lives were lost for his ambition. Not once did I want to inherit this bloody company of his. I told you many times, didn’t I? I do not want to be associated with what he has done. Having his blood running through my veins is already too much.”

Masha opened her mouth, but no words came out. What could she say? Gabriel’s hatred ran deep, and half of his blood made him sick to the stomach. Never could he forgive his father and his stepmother for what they had done. Both were human trash. His “brothers” weren’t that much better, the eldest having inherited his mother’s vicious temper. The youngest was a bit better off. He was a spoiled brat but didn’t have a wicked heart. However, he was influenced by the atmosphere governing the house and thus also ostracized Gabriel, the late wife’s son.

In the end, there was nothing Masha could say, so she didn’t say anything.

***

Misha sat on a chair in a daze, waiting for his mother to come back with their lunch. His mind was blank. Meanwhile, it felt like someone was trying to crush his heart with their bare hands. But he didn’t know why he felt so lost. This terrible emptiness, what did it mean? He couldn’t tell. His emotions were a mess.

Slightly bending over, Misha clutched his chest, letting a muffled groan escape his lips. It hurt so much, yet he couldn’t do anything to ease the pain. Why was that?

“Misha?” A familiar voice echoed to his ears. “Are you alright?”

The boy lifted his eyes, and a beautiful nurse came into view. She had Asian features, making her face look delicate. Her coal-black eyes reflected the light, and her waist-length black hair was tied into a high ponytail. She had a small body frame with round shoulders, a thin waist, and slender limbs.

If Misha remembered correctly, her name was Yuki. He had talked to her a few times in the past two weeks—when he went around asking if someone had seen Gabriel’s relatives, to which she had said no each time. Although she appeared cold at first glance, she was very kind at heart, always patiently and diligently taking care of her patients.

“I’m alright,” Misha smiled, straightening his back. “Just a bit tired.”

“Then, you should rest,” the nurse replied matter-of-factly.

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A silence fell, but Yuki didn’t leave. Instead, she stood in front of the table without moving an inch. The atmosphere was somewhat awkward, and Misha couldn’t help but clear out his throat.

“Do you want to sit?”

“Yes, thank you.”

Yuki pulled a chair and sat, putting the cup of tea she was holding on the table. Then, she pushed it just under the boy’s nose, saying, “Tea can help you relax. You look exhausted, so drink a sip. It will help you clear your mind.”

“I think you’re right,” Misha smiled tiredly. He wrapped his small hands around the cup and tentatively took a sip. He was pleasantly surprised by the sweet taste as a warm feeling spread inside his chest, appeasing his body that had been stretched taut like a tensed bow. “It’s good!”

“Isn’t it? Not all teas taste bitter.”

Her words made Misha raise an eyebrow, but he soon chuckled, thinking his face had given him away again. He did believe that it would taste bitter, which made him grimace before his lips even had the chance to touch the cup rim.

“I hear that Gabriel woke up,” Yuki started, “and that he has lost his memory.”

Those words were like a dagger piercing at his heart. It made Misha choke on the tea, and after wiping it off his chin, he lifted his eyes to glare at the nurse, hostility flashing across his face. He looked like a small animal on its guard, ready to pounce and bite her at any moment.

“There is no need to look at me like this. I only want to tell you that you do not have to worry. Gabriel will recover before you realize it.”

“And how the hell can you know that?!” Misha growled, almost baring his teeth.

Since long ago, he had never liked empty words, and these words sure sounded empty.

The nurse seemed to be taken aback by his reaction, making her hesitate a second. But ultimately, she still said, “Because it’s not the first time he was admitted to the hospital for similar injuries. Back then, I saw him work hard to recover and be healthy again. He’s the kind of boy who doesn’t give in, no matter how harsh the rehabilitation program is. So, really, don’t worry. He’ll be fine before you know it.”

Blinking, Misha reflexively asked, “What happened?”

“I already said too much, I can’t say more. Just keep in mind that—”

“What happened?” Misha interrupted, his gaze so severe that it sent a shiver crawling down her spine.

A kid of that age shouldn’t have such eyes.

“Four years ago,” Yuki bit her lower lip, then sighed, “he was in a coma for three weeks.”

Misha’s eyes grew wide, and he was suddenly at a loss for words. It wasn’t the first time he was unconscious for so long…? But what had happened? Gabriel certainly didn’t fall off a slope twice! How unlucky could he get?!

Before Misha could snap out of his stupor, Yuki stood up, pushing the chair aside as she said, “You seem to care about Gabriel’s well-being, so let me give you a piece of advice. Stay by his side and smile. What he needs the most is the warmth of a family, and I think you and your sister can give him this. You’re a bright kid, so I’m sure you understand.”

Not waiting for Misha’s answer, the nurse quickly left the canteen, leaving only a cup of tea behind.

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Mini theater

MC: Gaby, your life looks quite shitty.

ML: You can talk.

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Edited by Clozed! ♥

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