I looked at the bags of supplements in Norma's hands. Then I looked at the fifty cents I'd been clutching in my palm—money I'd scraped together over weeks.

A bitter smile crossed my face. I thanked her for her kindness.

"No, thank you. I can't afford it."

I walked out of the pharmacy. Norma's expression turned ugly.

Percival was right there to fan the flames.

"Norma, you make at least thirty or forty a month, right? You couldn't afford a bottle of burn ointment?"

"Looks like my brother's still holding a grudge over what happened back then. He's deliberately trying to humiliate me!"

"Fine. I'll just leave."

Percival made a show of crying and turning to go. Norma's face went cold. She strode forward, blocked my path, and demanded that I apologize to Percival.

I almost laughed at the absurdity of it.

"Why should I apologize?"

Norma's reasoning was impressively self-righteous.

"All these years, Percival stayed away to spare your feelings."

"He finally comes to visit, and you treat him like this—embarrassing him in public? What kind of brother are you?"

"What should a brother be like, then? Should he just let his own fiancée steal his college acceptance letter and run off with his brother without saying a word?"

"Or should he pretend to be deaf and blind when he knows perfectly well that his brother and his wife have been carrying on behind his back?"

I couldn't hold back any longer. Every grievance I'd bottled up came pouring out. But Percival's eyes went wide, tears streaming down his face.

"Duane, I know you hate me, but you can't slander me like this!"

"There's nothing between me and Norma—nothing! If you don't believe me, I'll prove my innocence with my life!"

He pulled out a bottle of pesticide, shoved it into my hands, and forced my grip toward his mouth, as if he truly intended to die to defend his honor.

But the moment his fingers closed around mine, he leaned in close to my ear. His voice dropped to a whisper only I could hear.

"Brother, you're so pathetic. Both women you've loved only ever wanted me. Tell me—if I drink this today, do you think Norma will send you to prison?"

My pupils dilated. I never imagined Percival's mind could be this twisted.

I tried to wrench my hand free, but Norma rushed over and yanked Percival away from me. Her glare could have cut glass.