Chapter 5
Instantly, the faces of the relatives changed.
My mother–in–law hung up the phone angrily and rushed toward the hospital.
H
I stopped her and said, “Mum, don’t bother. Alex will not be buried here. It doesn’t matter whether Charles comes or not. I am here to take Alex to the afterlife.”
“You have taken care of me and Alex for the past five years. I am sorry, but I cannot take care of the Orville Family’s future anymore.“}
My mother–in–law burst into tears and bowed to me in thanks.
“You and Alex have protected the Orville Family for five years. You are the heroes of the Orville Family. I’m really useless and cannot take care of this idiot son …”
“Just tell me what you need. As long as I can do it, I will give it to you. Just think of it as the fate between us for these five years … ”
I wrote down the things I needed for the corpse embalming ceremony and gave the list to my mother–in–law. She immediately ordered someone to buy everything for me. However, Alex’s last spirit was still trapped at home, so I needed to find it and bring it back.
Without waiting for the memorial to end, I went home alone. What greeted me was the same messy clothes scattered on the ground. Two figures were rolling around on the sofa, their bodies entangled together. Their panting sounds stabbed my heart like knives.
Annette noticed me standing there and quickly placed her hand on the man’s arm, explaining in an aggrieved voice, “Joanne, don’t be angry. I am only staying at the Orville Family for a few months. Charles said there are many nannies here, so it will be easier to take care of the baby.”
“Don’t worry, I won’t compete with you for Charles. I will leave after the baby is born. After all, I don’t have the blood of a royal so I cannot help the Orville Family … ”
Charles hugged her tighter like he was showing off.
His expression turned cold as he mockingly spoke, “What royal embalmer? It’s just a trick to fool people.“}
embalmer,
“If there is any difference between her and you, it is that the blood inside her body is even dirtier than yours. You smell like death. Frankly, it makes me sick.”
“This is the Orville Family’s mansion. I am the one who gets to decide who stays here, so I don’t need to ask for your permission.“}]
After saying that, Charles hugged Annette and walked past me, heading upstairs.
He paused for a moment on the steps and said, “Remember to splash your son’s blood with pig’s blood before he comes inside. If he scares Annette, don’t blame me for throwing you out.“}
After speaking, he slammed the bedroom door shut. The panting sounds from upstairs grew louder and louder. I held the spirit–calling flag in my hand and, following its guidance, found my son’s spirit hidden in a corner.
Unfortunately for Alex, he had already become a lonely spirit. I could see that he was tightly clutching something in his little hand. With heartache, I carefully put his spirit away.
Then, I saw clearly what he had been holding. It was a small baby windmill made from paper that was sprayed with holy water. Although Alex was only five years old, he was very smart. He knew that only if Annette were happy could the family stay peaceful.!
After Annette became pregnant, he started making little toys for the baby, trying to please Charles and make him happy. The paper that was sprayed with holy water was something very complicated to make. It was a ritual of royal embalming. In fact, I did not have time to teach him properly.
I couldn’t help but feel stunned. After all, Alex made these windmills himself, using them as his wishing trees. The handwriting on the paper was crooked and shaky. Still, I read all of it.
Each one said something along this.
[I hope my little brother will like the gift and be nice to my mother. May my wish come true.]
The wish written on every piece of paper was the same. Tears streamed down my face uncontrollably. I tried my best to cover my mouth so that no one could hear me cry.
Meanwhile, the sounds coming from upstairs grew even louder. I packed up all the luggage that belonged to me and my son and quietly left the place where we had lived for five years. Just as I was about to start embalming Alex’s body, a message popped up on my phone.
It was from Charles.
He wrote something.
[Charles O: Send some warm water to Annette. She is thirsty. And also, give her that new pink dress you have not worn yet. Besides, you’re way too ugly to look good in pink.]
[Charles O: As long as you behave and listen, the Orville Family can leave a place for you. Remember, do not challenge my wish. This is the bare minimum for you to be able to live here!]}
I could not help but laugh coldly. What a good head of the Orville Family! Let us see how long he could survive once the curse took effect. after I left.
I did not bother to reply.
Instead, I took out the SIM card from my phone, lit it with a lighter and threw the burning piece into the trash can. Then, I chanted a small spell and shook a little bell in my hand. Holding my son’s spirit close to me, I slowly faded into the darkness of the night.
Inside the mansion, Charles grew more and more impatient as he waited for me. When I still did not show up, he decided to storm out and question me. But before he could step outside, he ran into his mother who had just arrived.
D
12:15 PM
“Mum? Why are you here? Did that bitch Joanne go crying to you again? She is so shameless. I’ll make her leave right now!“}
Before Charles could say another word, his mother raised her hand and slapped him hard across the face.
“You had no time to attend your son’s funeral, but you had plenty of time to fool around with your mistress at home. Why did I ever give birth to an ungrateful son like you?”
“You are the one who should get out!“&
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