It felt as though I had won a silent war between Jane and me.

Once, she had said, "Gale has suffered so much. How can you live so comfortably without any guilt?"

My parents had also raged, "Why—why is the son we raised for over twenty years not even ours?"

They resented me, pouring all their bitterness and anger onto me alone.

Now, Jane was in the kitchen, busying herself.

I leaned against the doorframe and watched her whisk eggs and prepare soup.

The last time something like this happened was when she celebrated Gale's birthday at home.

He had said he wanted to try her cooking, and she had agreed without hesitation.

In the past, I would have fought and argued over it, only to end up making everyone despise me.

It was a pity, though—I still never got to taste the noodle soup she made.

Gale called, saying through tears that he had fallen and injured his hand.

Jane immediately dropped the spatula. "Gale—"

Before she could finish, I had already handed her her coat.

"Go," I said.

She placed her hand on my head like a reward and patted it lightly.

"You've really become obedient. I'll make the noodles for you next time."

I smiled faintly.

There was no such thing as "next time."

I didn't tell her that I had already applied to study abroad in Mustralia, and my flight was set for tomorrow.

Over the past year, I had sold off everything I could, and combined with my meager savings, I had finally scraped together enough for tuition and living expenses.

Just as I was lost in thought, I suddenly received a call from Jane.

"Alex, come to the hospital right now!"

…

Gale had fallen and injured his hand badly. He had lost a lot of blood.

With red eyes, he looked at me and said, "Alex, the doctor says I need a blood transfusion. I remember from the last time we were tested that we have the same blood type. Can you…?"

My mother panicked immediately. "Why wouldn't he? He's lived off our family for over twenty years. Giving a little blood is nothing."

My father impatiently waved the doctor over. "Why are we even discussing this? Just set up the transfusion."

I stood there in silence, which only made Jane tense up as well.

"Alex, this isn't the time for your attitude. Saving a life comes first."

Without changing my expression, I called the nurse over.

After signing the blood donation consent form, the needle went in. I watched my blood slowly travel through the thin tube.

And little by little, it flowed into Gale's body.

In that moment, I suddenly felt light, as if everything I had once been given was now being returned to its rightful owner in another form.

Maybe this counted as atonement.

The blood draw finished, and the medical staff moved to remove the needle—but my mother stopped them.

"Doctor, take a little more. Put some in storage."

"We'll pay for the blood bags. If we don't use them, we'll just throw them out later."

I looked at her face and suddenly laughed.

There was nothing left for me to hold on to anymore.

And thankfully, I was leaving too.