Chapter 328
 
KESTER.
 
14 YEARS AGO.
 
1
 
I lay on my bed, one arm limp at my side while my head rested on the other, with my eyes fixed on the
 
ceiling above me like it held the secrets to why my world had fallen apart.
 
From my headset, Billie Eilish sang what felt like the story of my life
 
What was I made for...
 
It was a quiet song, but it hit so loud in my chest.
 
I was probably too young to understand lyrics like those, but I understood hurt too deeply and too early. The song resonated with me so much that I couldn't stop listening to it.
 
And it made the ache in my chest louder sometimes. Like pressing on a bruise you couldn't help but touch.
 
But other times, it made me feel less alone and hopeful. Especially that last part.
 
... Think I forgot how to be happy
 
...Something I'm not, something I
 
can be
 
...Something I wait for
 
...Something I'm made for...
 
God, yeah. That part always cracked something inside me.
 
Because I had truly forgotten how to be happy and what it even meant. Didn't even know how it felt anymore.
 
Since my mum died - because she was dead
 
to me
 
a part of
 
me died. When Dad told me she was gone, I didn't cry.
 
I didn't scream or shout or break things like the kids in movies.
 
 there and waited to feel
 
 what I felt was betrayal. And it was the cold, heavy kind of betrayal
 
 without looking back. She could have taken me with her, but she
 
 the hands of the
 
 what he was. And she still
 
 kind of a mother does
 
 a
 
 to do... Lie still,
 
1/4
 
Chapter 328
 
 days, I stayed in here and got lost in music that
 
 place I didn't feel like I was constantly shrinking. But I didn't know how
 
 a little to take a glance,
 
 he started learning to use in the past weeks. It felt like he'd been practicing to use that tone in
 
 I was listening to was really low,
 
 entered my room, gently
 
 crack I'd been
 
He tapped me again.
 
 one side of the headset off my ear and turned my head just enough to face him. But I
 
He stood there awkwardly
 
 wasn't sure if I
 
 he said, "How are you
 
I almost laughed.
 
Son?
 
 had
 
 at him, blank-faced
 
 what he
 
 to wrap it in fake smiles and softer tones. He always
 
 didn't answer. I didn't care what he wanted.
 
 of my bed. The mattress dipped slightly under his weight, and I hated how close
 
 to talk to you about something," he said, still maintaining that soft tone, as if I was
 
 be
 
 speak.
 
"Jorja's moving in tomorrow."
 
 At least not
 
 daughter, who'll become
 
 seven. Sweet kid. I think you'll like her if you give her a
 
 was normal. "Try to
 
2/4
 
Chapter 328
 
 that... that
 
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