“Bert, be good. We’ll be right outside. It’ll be over soon.”
The cold surgical instruments pierced into my body, rolling and grinding as if tearing me apart from the inside. My heart turned as cold as the steel pressing against my flesh.
When I opened my eyes again, I was back in the ward.
The doctor stood by my bed, his voice heavy with regret.
“The patient’s condition was delayed for too long. His pelvis is permanently dislocated. He will likely never walk again.”
“The more serious issue is the severe damage to his lower body functions. He won’t be able to care for himself—he’ll need constant assistance.”
My sister’s eyes turned red, her voice trembling.
“No… this can’t be… How could this happen?”
“Doctor, please! Save my brother! He’s still so young… He can’t—”
Her voice broke. She pulled me into her arms, sobbing uncontrollably.
“Bert, don’t worry. I’ll take care of you for the rest of your life. If necessary, we’ll go abroad for treatment. No matter what, I’ll make sure you recover.”
Silent tears slid from the corners of my eyes.
I wanted to ask her—
Sister, are you satisfied now?
But before I could speak, her phone rang.
She glanced at the caller ID, and despite her best efforts, a smile crept onto her face. Yet, as if remembering something, she hesitated to leave me alone in the ward.
So, she quickly pulled up a movie on the office computer and hurried out.
Left alone, I instinctively searched through the computer.
And then, I found it.
A private folder labeled [Leo].
I clicked on it.
My screen is filled with thousands of neatly organized photos—pictures of the three of them traveling together during winter and summer vacations.
9,999 photos in total.
Each one is carefully saved by duplicate.
One set documenting what my beloved brother ate and wore that day.
The other set recording the words he spoke and the songs he sang.
And then, I saw another folder—
The photos I had sent them.
Images of me at the school playground, in the cafeteria, in the library.
Every single one of them…
Sitting in the recycle bin.
Deleted.
Not a single one missing.
No wonder.
Every time I suggested traveling together, my sister always said work was too busy.
My younger sister always claimed she had club activities.
They weren’t actually busy.
They were off traveling the world—with him.