I Thought 'Home' Meant Warmth Nope, Just a Doghouse... Till I'm the HEIR, And It's novel Chapter 18

Chapter 10

Mom stood in silence for what felt like a century.

When she still didn’t react, Lily spoke again.

Whatever. We’ve come this far. Might as well tell you one more thing.”

She tilted her face upward and sneered at Mom with a challenging look.

“Tm the one who got Grandpa killed.”

My mind went blank. I didn’t understand what she meant.

I turned to look at Mom. For the first time, a crack of disbelief appeared on her face.

“That day I was faking sick at the hospital. I happened to see Grandpa rush into the ER carrying Dawn, who was covered in blood.”

I watched Lily’s expression shift from contempt to jealousy.

Her hands, resting on the table, clenched so tightly her knuckles turned white.

That was the first time I ever saw Grandpa that frantic. That desperate to save someone.”

So I got jealous.”

I pointed at Grandpa and told that guy-the one causing the scene about malpractice-That’s him. He’s the one who operated on your wife. He’s the reason she

lied.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Lily suddenly burst into maniacal laughter.

Hahahaha! But I didn’t do anything wrong!! It’s all YOUR fault! You selfish woman!”

Your selfishness made you obsessed with my illness, made you neglect your own daughter, got your father killed! Left your daughter’s body to rot in the

wilderness!”

‘Hahahaha, all of it-every single thing-is because of YOU! You’re the one responsible for everything! You’re the one who deserves to die the most!!”

t wasn’t until the police had dragged her far away that her terrifying laughter finally stopped echoing.

turned back.

Mom sat there, completely motionless.

circled around to see her expression, but I couldn’t read it.

That afternoon, Mom and I went together to the morgue where my body was being kept.

So ugly. All shriveled up. Like a mummy.”

couldn’t help but joke to Mom, who stood beside me.

But when I turned to look at her, she was already crying, tears streaming down her face.

This was the first time since my death that Mom had cried for me.

But somehow, I could no longer feel moved or longing the way I once would have.

Mom’s hands kept stroking my dried, sunken face, over and over again.

She murmured:

“Mom was wrong. It’s Mom’s fault. I’m the one who hurt you.”

“I’m the one who got Grandpa killed.”

Chapter 10

I watched Moun sob, and I watched my own body slowly becoming more transparent

And finally, I understood:

I had always thought I lingered by Mom’s side because I was obsessed with the love Lily had stolen from me,

But after leaving the interrogation room, I realized-Lily hadn’t stolen anything.

She never had Mom’s love either.

What truly kept me from leaving was the guilt and pain I felt over causing Grandpa’s death.

But now, as I looked down and saw my soul growing lighter, floating higher, the world below becoming harder and harder to see-1 knew I had forgiven myself.

It was time to go.

So 1 turned and stepped onto a cloud, ready to leave.

But then I heard someone softly call my name.

“Dawn.”

It sounded like Mom’s voice.

I turned around. There was Mom, standing on a cloud, arms open wide toward me.

Dawn, come here. Come into Mom’s arms. Let me hold you.”

This scene felt so familiar.

I remembered now-it was from the video. When I was one year old and learning to walk. I fell, and Mom opened her arms, smiling, asking me to come to her.

But now, she was crying.

stared at Mom, frozen.

Some things, once they happen, leave cracks that never fully heal.

didn’t blame Mom. But I also no longer longed for that embrace.

thought for a moment. Then I turned and ran forward as hard as I could, faster and faster.

was going to find Grandpa.

was going to the people who truly loved me.