At first, Krystal praised Wayne in front of me. "Wayne is a good man. He's willing to cover your medical expenses. Dad didn't misjudge him."
Later, she started to cry, weeping day and night in torment.
"But Wayne wants me to stay with him. How can I... Larry, what should I do? What am I supposed to do? You are my only family left. I can't lose you too."
For my sake, she chose to be with Wayne. In the end, Wayne not only cheated on her but also subjected her to domestic violence.
When she was six months pregnant, he beat her so severely that she had a forced abortion. He threatened her against telling anyone, or he would stop paying my medical bills.
Thus, Krystal developed severe depression, with her only confidant being the useless me lying in the hospital bed.
How I wished I could sit up and accuse Wayne. "He was the murderer, and his accomplice was his cousin."
Eventually, Krystal couldn't hold on any longer.
"Larry, forgive me. I can't take it any longer. I'm living in hell every day. I'm going to accompany Mom and Dad. Don't worry. For the sake of his reputation, Wayne will continue to pay your medical bills."
I heard a heavy thud on the ground, knowing that she had found peace.
Wayne's business boomed. He even opened numerous charitable organizations in my name.
Maybe out of fear, he spent a large portion of his money on donations. During that period, he thrived.
Even the nurses and doctors praised his feats.
But he was a murderer.
How could the person who had exterminated my family roam free and become a so-called philanthropist?
"Larry, what's wrong? Your face is pale, and your hands are cold."
There came the worried voice of my younger brother, Shawn Reid. I snapped back, ending the painful memories.
It was a hot summer night, but my head was covered in dense cold sweat. Chills kept running down my spine.
I had been reborn. It was not the time to dwell on painful memories. I should do something to prevent the tragedy from happening.
"Larry, are you all right? Have some water."
My little sister, Maryann Reid, handed me a glass of water. I looked at her face and couldn't help shedding tears.
Wayne and Russell were beasts. They didn't even spare a 5-year-old girl.
Flustered, Maryann stood on tiptoe to wipe away my tears.
"Larry, are you sick? Why are you crying?"
A sudden inspiration struck me. I could pretend to be ill.