The Gunther family’s reputation was in shambles after the media reports were released. They received a verbal lashing from the public every day. The internet had been invented by then, so they were constantly subjected to an endless stream of criticisms.
Frank’s and Madison’s sentences had not been decided yet.
As I watched everything unfold, I sighed in relief. I assumed that the dust would settle soon. What I did not expect was for Joseph to seek me out again.
I had left the house to go grocery shopping when he blocked my path forward. He looked incredibly anxious. He kept his head lowered, continuing to block me without saying a single word.
I clutched my pocket knife as I warily asked him, “What the hell do you want?”
He raised his head to look at me. He had a complicated emotion swirling in his eyes, and his voice was hoarse when he called out my name.
I didn’t say a single word in response. I wondered if he was going to beg me to empathize with Frank and Madison again.
“You were reborn, weren’t you?”
My expression morphed into one of shock upon hearing his words. I whipped around and tried to make a break for it.
“I–I’m not going to hurt you!” he stammered.
I halted my footsteps and turned to glare at him before hissing, “Joseph, you really are disgusting.”
He accepted the insult as he always did. “I’m sorry. I regret what I’ve done. I’m truly in love with you.”
I glared at him hatefully before I slapped him hard across the face, causing my palm to go numb. Joseph sank to his knees in front of me, sobbing as he cradled his cheek. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me that day. I truly regret my actions.”
I stood in place and sneered down at him. My heart felt hollow.
“After you died, I turned myself in. I genuinely loved you… For many years, I was suffocated by my familial bonds. In the end, I’m the one who turned into a laughingstock.
