“Everything else is fine, but I never imagined… Lessie would actually cry.”


    Everyone except Zachary knew Alessia was faking her tears. Six rolled his eyes, unsure whether to call Zachary hopelessly na?ve or just too pure–hearted.


    “If Alessia’s crying, it means things aren’t that serious. She’s sharp–she knows exactly when to put on which face. Honestly, if you ever see her not crying when she should, that’s when you know there’s real trouble.”


    That was just how she was–when it came to her own problems, she acted like nothing could touch her. The sky coulde crashing down and she’d just smile at you, unbothered. But if someone she cared about was in trouble, she’d be the first to leap into action, all nerves and urgency.


    The room fell quiet for a moment, the tension thick in the air. Six couldn’t stand the solemn mood and waved it away with a dismissive hand.


    “All right, enough of that. Problem’s solved, so let’s eat. I’m starving here.”


    “It’s prettyte, too. Mr. Dawson, let’s just grab something quick, and I’ll drive you home afterward.” Ethan opened the car door, ushering everyone inside.


    Meanwhile, Carlson was at the hospital with the Chesters. He’d originally nned to leave the couple on the curb, but they insisted on tagging along.


    all


    Carlson knew exactly what they were up to–they wanted to y the victims in front of their mother, hoping her soft heart would persuade him to give them money.


    Their mother had always doted on her youngest son. Now that Carlson was doing well, she worried even more that Chester might go hungry, always reminding Carlson to look after his little brother. It always came back to family, she’d say–no matter how sessful you get, you can’t just turn your back on your own. Help


    where you can.


    She was getting on in years, and Carlson didn’t want to be remembered as an ungrateful son. So he humored her wishes. A few more years, he thought, and when she passed, they’d all go their separate ways. Maybe he’d give Chester and his wife onest sum to get by.


    It was just a shame the Chesters never learned. Every few days, they’d stir <b>up </b>new trouble, thinking they could coast by on having Eddie. Each time, Carlson <b>had </b><b>to </b>clean up their mess, and his patience for family was wearing thin.


    As expected, the moment the old woman woke up, the Chesters <b>burst </b><b>into </b><b>tears</b>.


    08:02


    <b>“</b><b>Mom</b><b>, </b>thank <b>God </b><b>you’re </b>awake<b>! </b><b>You </b>have <b>no </b><b>idea </b>how <b>worried </b><b>we’ve </b><b>been</b>! <b>Oh </b>finally, you’re back…” They knelt by her bedside, their <b>voices </b><b>trembling </b>with <b>emotion </b>that somehow felt a little too performative, almost like they were <b>mourning </b><b>at </b><b>a </b>wake.


    “There, there, good children.” The old woman’s voice was weak, her movements slow as she tried to reach out and touch her youngest son, the IV line tugging at her wrist.


    Carlson gently held her hand down, making sure she didn’t pull the needle out.


    “Are you feeling any difort?”


    She slowly shook her head.


    Satisfied, Carlson said nothing more and pulled up a chair beside the bed. Chester, ever the schemer, saw an opening.


    “Mom, do you know how you got hurt? It was all because of some student!” Chester wiped his face with the back of his hand, putting on a dramatic show.


    “That kid waspletely out of line! Not only did he refuse to pay, he imed he’d done a good deed and said we should be the ones to pay up! And big brother–well, he won’t help us, he’s always taking some stranger’s side. Now, that kid’s making us pay, and we don’t have a penny left! How are we supposed to survive?”


    Chester’s wailing only grew louder as he tugged at his wife’s sleeve, and she quickly joined in, sobbing in chorus.


    Luckily, it was a private room, so their noise didn’t disturb anyone else.


    Carlson listened to theirints without batting an eye, calm as ever in his


    seat.


    “Carlson, is this true?” their mother asked, her voice wavering. She might have spoiled her youngest, but she wasn’t senile; she knew what kind of person he was. That was the very reason she worried about him, unlike her eldest, who was responsible and capable–he didn’t need her looking after him.


    “He tried to pull a fast one/but it backfired,” Carlson replied, summing up the entire situation in a single sentence.


    The old woman fell silent for a long moment.


    Seeing his n wasn’t working, Chester pinched his thigh and squeezed out a fresh pair of tears.