My Alpha Family Faked Their Deaths to Punish Me? Well… See What Your ‘Punishment’ Has Destroyed Chapter 05

My Alpha Family Faked Their Deaths to Punish Me? Well… See What Your ‘Punishment’ Has Destroyed Chapter 05

By the time my parents and Tessa got to the hospital, I was already awake.

I lay in the hospital bed, staring blankly at the ceiling.

The three of them looked completely disheveled, their faces twisting into utter disbelief as the police explained the situation.

“Honestly, if her immune system had been stronger, she might have fought off the virus from the needle,” the healer explained quietly.

“But her body is severely malnourished and exhausted. She’s too weak, which is why the blood disease took hold.”

Tessa’s face drained of color instantly. “So the blood Raina threw up… wasn’t a prop…”

My mother lunged toward the bed, gripping my hand tightly.

“Raina, why would you ever sign up for a medical trial? If you hadn’t…”

“If I hadn’t, how would we have paid off the debt?”

I looked at her, my eyes filled with bitter irony.

“Tessa told me she was testing haunted houses, but she went back to the mansion to sleep every single night.”

“Christmas was the only time we actually spent together.”

“Last year, I bought a whole Christmas dinner with the money I made from collecting recycling, but she complained it was too shabby.”

“I just wanted her to have a Christmas free of debt. That’s why I volunteered for the trial.”

“Mom, was I wrong again?”

They all froze. My mother’s lips trembled as tears streamed down her face.

“No, you didn’t do anything wrong! Raina, it’s our fault. Your father and I… we did this to you!”

Her voice cracked, her shoulders shaking violently as she sobbed.

“You’re right. Our mindset was completely twisted.”

“Money is there to be used, not worshipped. You already had your priorities straight. We just refused to admit we were the ones in the wrong.”

I didn’t say a word, the mockery in my eyes only deepening.

Tessa stepped closer, her eyes red and swollen.

“Raina, I just said that casually last year. I never imagined you’d go to a medical trial.”

“I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have slapped you today. I completely misunderstood.”

With a sudden burst of anger at herself, she slapped her own face twice. “It’s all my fault. I’m the one who deserves it.”

My father walked over to the bed with heavy steps, lowering his head.

“Don’t blame yourselves. It’s on me.”

“I made the decision. I failed Raina.”

A cold laugh bubbled up from my throat.

It took all of this just for them to admit they were wrong.

If I hadn’t gotten sick, would they have clung to their self-righteous lesson forever?

The room was thick with sorrow and awkwardness.

I remained completely silent, acting as though they didn’t even exist.

After a quiet moment, Tessa asked the healer in a cracked voice, “Can my sister be cured?”

The healer shook his head.

“Looking at her current state, it’s going to be difficult.”

“Even if she recovers, she’ll be on medication for the rest of her life.”

“No!”

My mother let out a devastated wail, collapsing over my body.

“How did this happen? What have I done!”

“It’s all my fault… I’m the one who deserves to die! I should be the one paying for this with my life!”

“Please calm down,” the healer interrupted gently. “The patient needs rest.”

“Let’s get her admitted first. Who is coming with me to handle the payment?”

“I’ll go,” Tessa muttered, turning toward the door.

“Don’t bother,” I called out, stopping her in her tracks. “I’m not staying here.”

She spun around, confusion throwing her off.

I let out a faint, hollow smile. “Isn’t the punishment supposed to last until next year?”

“Technically, you’re not allowed to spend any money on me.”

Was I just throwing a petty tantrum?

It didn’t matter. I didn’t want to live anymore anyway.