After I Died, My Brother Went Crazy

On the day Ethan got his big break with a job in the city, he did something he'd never done before.

He bought me a massive bag of imported chocolates.

It must have cost him at least fifty dollars.

Before the chocolate could even melt in my mouth, Ethan looked at me with a serious face.

Only one a day, Lola. By the time you finish them, Serena and I will be back to get you.

Terrified, I spat the chocolate out and grabbed his arm, begging him not to leave me behind.

Ethan frowned, his eyes filled with pain.

He whispered that his savings were only enough to get one person settled in the city.

Serena was an orphan. He couldn't let her feel abandoned again.

Ethan gently stroked my hair and made a promise.

"One year, Lola. I swear I'll come back, take you to the city, and get you the best doctors."

But after they left, the whole town started whispering.

They said Ethan took Serena to the city to live the high life, and that he had abandoned his useless, dumb sister for good.

I didn't believe them. I sat by the dusty road entrance every single day, waiting.

The local creeps in town started teasing me.

They said if I agreed to marry one of them, Ethan would definitely come back to attend my wedding.

When I screamed and said no, they beat me.

I dragged myself home, bruised and crying.

The pain was so bad that I couldn't help but eat three chocolates at once.

I just wanted Ethan to come back faster.

If he was here, he would protect me and punish them.

Then, Chloe noticed my belly was growing bigger day by day.

She gently touched my swollen stomach, her eyes filled with horror. "Lola... you're pregnant. Who did this to you?"

My head throbbed with a blinding pain. I couldn't find the words to explain.

Chloe held me tight and sobbed for hours.

When Ethan finally got the news through a letter, his only reply was cold:

"If anyone in town is willing to take responsibility, just let Lola marry him."

But I was already the town's joke, despised and tormented.

I couldn't survive the brutal labor, and I died giving birth in a cold, dark room.

When I opened my eyes again, I was still standing by the dusty road entrance, waiting for Ethan and Serena just like I did every day.

The only difference was that those creeps didn't bother me anymore. They didn't even look at me.

It was only when they gathered near the old gas station to smoke that I could hear their muffled laughter, and it sounded like they were talking about me.

I drifted closer to listen.

"Lola was crazy, sure, but she was easily the prettiest girl in this godforsaken town."

"Lucky for us she was slow. Otherwise, her brother would've taken her to the city long ago."

"Yeah, and thank god Ethan wasn't here. She ended up dying in Luke's house anyway."

"As long as we keep our mouths shut, nobody can pin it on us."

They rambled on, using words too complicated for my mind.

But I understood one thing clearly.

They said Ethan left me behind because he thought I was stupid.

I puffed out my cheeks and yelled at them angrily:

"Ethan never thought I was stupid! He told me so!"

"Just you wait! When Ethan comes back, I'm going to tell him everything! He will make you pay!"

When evening came, I walked past the desolate cemetery on the hill.

I saw Chloe holding my old mason jar, looking busy.

She took the remaining chocolates from the jar and placed them gently, one by one, on a small dirt mound next to my parents' tombstones.

She even hammered a small wooden cross into the dirt, carefully carving the name: Lola Carter.

I sat next to her and giggled.

"Chloe is the smartest and prettiest girl ever. Your handwriting is so beautiful."

"Now that my name is on it, no one will steal my chocolates, right?"

Chloe didn't answer me. She turned around and slowly poured a handful of greyish-white ashes into the empty mason jar.

She begged Ned, a townsperson who was heading to the city for business, to deliver the jar to Ethan no matter what.

My eyes went wide with excitement.

"You're going to see Ethan? Can I come this time?"

Chloe still didn't look at me.

But at least she didn't stop me.

"Since you're quiet, I'll take that as a yes!"

I was thrilled. I skipped along behind Ned all the way to the city.

Ned shoved the mason jar into Ethan's hands, muttered "I'm so sorry for your loss," and hurried away.

Ethan held the familiar jar, standing on the bustling city street, looking completely lost.

I happily threw myself at him for a hug, but my body passed right through him.

Serena, looking elegant and stylish, walked out of their apartment and asked softly:

"What is it, Ethan?"

Ethan frowned, staring at the jar in his hands.

"Isn't this Lola's jar?"

"That guy just told me he was sorry for my loss and ran off. Did something happen to Lola?"

Since moving to the city, Serena had painted her nails a beautiful bright red, and she wore shiny silver bracelets on her wrists. She looked so pretty.

She giggled and took the jar from his hands.

"Ethan, you know how Lola is."

"She probably ate all the chocolates and begged Ned to bring her precious jar to you, just to trick you into buying her more."

"You can't keep spoiling her like this."

"Besides, she's about to be a mother. Too much sugar isn't good for the baby."

Hearing her words, tears welled up in my eyes.

I pointed at my flat stomach and screamed:

"Ethan, I didn't! I saved the chocolates because I was scared you'd be mad! I put them back!"

"And the baby is gone, Ethan... eating candy won't hurt anymore..."

"I just missed you and Serena. I just wanted to see you."

But Ethan didn't look at me. He couldn't hear a thing.

He seemed to notice something and said, "The jar feels a bit heavy. Is there something inside?"

In fact, Serena had already opened the jar when Ethan wasn't looking and saw the letter tucked inside.

She shook her head smoothly. "Nothing. Just some dirt. You know how she likes to collect random things."

With that, she walked over to the corner of the yard and poured the grey ashes onto the soil beneath a tree, using it as fertilizer.

The grey dust instantly buried the letter deep underground.

Ethan sighed, looking a bit guilty.

"Do you think I was too hasty in letting Lola get married?"

Serena took Ethan's hand, her voice sweet and reassuring.

"Ethan, Lola had to grow up eventually. You couldn't protect her forever."

"Now that the knot is tied, making a scene will only ruin her reputation."

"Isn't it better for her to be married to a normal man than to live alone?"

"Besides, Lola's mind is... confused. It's only natural she made a mistake and got pregnant without knowing any better."

"The list of names in that old rumors letter was just gossip. There's no proof those men actually did anything. Why overthink it?"

"If I hadn't stopped you last time, the whole town would know she got pregnant out of wedlock. That would have truly ruined her life."

Ethan was silenced by her logic. He finally nodded, letting out a long breath.

"If I hadn't given her the wrong medication when we were kids, her brain wouldn't have burned up like that. She wouldn't be this way."

"I'm just... terrified of her being hurt."

Just then, a middle-aged man walked into the yard, looking cheerful.

"Ethan! The factory approved your family leave!"

"Hurry up and head back. Go bring your sister to the city for her medical checkup."

I followed Ethan all the way back to our small town.

Those same creeps were still hanging out near the old gas station.

I pointed at them and yelled to Ethan:

"They hit me! Ethan, they hit me!"

Sure enough, when those guys saw Ethan, they looked terrified and tried to scatter.

But Ethan blocked their path.

Instead of pulling out his fists, he reached into his bag and pulled out several family-sized bags of expensive chocolates.

"Lola's wedding was rushed, and I couldn't make it back in time to help," Ethan said, a polite smile on his face.

"I heard you all helped out at my brother-in-law's place on the wedding day. Thank you for your hard work."

"Take these. Consider it a thank-you gift from me."

He began handing out the chocolates to them one by one.

My eyes turned red with anger. I tried to knock the chocolates out of his hands, but my fingers just passed through the air.

Serena also smiled and helped hand them out. When only a few chocolates were left, Ethan gently stopped her.

He whispered to Serena, "Lola loves these. Let's save the rest to satisfy her sweet tooth."

But I didn't want any chocolates.

I pointed at those ugly faces, crying out my pain:

"Luke slapped me and tied me up with ropes!"

"Zach and Wes stuffed rags in my mouth so I couldn't scream! They beat me every time I cried!"

"They said if I didn't want to marry Luke, they would beat me until I did..."

"Ethan, why aren't you protecting me anymore?"

I sobbed, staring at him, but he still wouldn't look at me.

I was so frustrated that I scratched my arms, leaving deep red marks.

In the past, if Ethan saw me scratch myself, he would cry from heartbreak. But now, he didn't even turn his head.

Behind us, the creeps burst into mocking laughter.

Wes, the leader, smirked and called out:

"Ethan, you've got some real patience. We respect that."

Ethan frowned, not quite catching the sarcasm in his tone.

Before he could ask, Serena pushed him toward our old house.

Wes popped a chocolate into his mouth and stared at Ethan's back, muttering:

"Does Ethan really not know the crazy girl is dead?"

One of his lackeys sneered.

"Didn't Chloe send him a letter?"

"He's probably just a coward. He sees there are more of us and doesn't dare to start a fight."

"Or maybe he wanted that useless sister dead anyway. She was just a burden."

"Look at that gorgeous girl Serena next to him. They aren't even blood-related. If you were him, wouldn't you prefer her?"

Hearing their words, I forgot how to cry.

So... Ethan was tired of me.

I followed him home quietly, keeping my distance.

When we pushed the door open, the house was a complete mess. The chicken coop was empty, with only a few feathers scattered on the ground.

Ethan sighed.

"Lola really didn't listen to a word I said."

But I did listen...

I took care of the five chickens Ethan left behind, feeding them three times a day.

They grew into big, fat hens and laid so many eggs.

But Luke said that since he married me, everything in the house belonged to him.

He said if I didn't let him take them, he would burn our house down.

Before Mom died, she told me this house had to be kept for Ethan's future wedding.

I didn't dare let him burn it. So I just huddled in the corner, watching Luke strip the house bare, not even daring to make a sound.

"Ethan... you guys are back?"

Chloe stood at the gate, her face deadly pale.

Ethan hid his disappointment and forced a smile. "Chloe, is Lola at her husband's place?"

"Could you call her back for me? Tell her I'm not mad at her anymore. She doesn't need to hide."

Chloe gripped the doorframe so hard her knuckles turned white. Her voice trembled violently.

"Ethan... did Ned not give you the mason jar?"

"Lola... she died weeks ago."

"Chloe, Lola was slow, but how can you make up a sick joke like this?" Serena interrupted, her face tight.

Before Chloe could speak, Serena stepped forward, forced a stack of bills into Chloe's hand, and whispered sharply:

"If Lola doesn't want to come back tonight, that's fine."

"Take this money and give it to your father. Ask him to help us organize a town barbecue tomorrow."

"Since Lola got married, we should at least throw a nice reception for the town to make things right."

Chloe opened her mouth, but looking at the money, she swallowed her words, gripped the bills, and walked away in silence.

The next day, Chloe's family arrived.

When they saw the backyard decorated with bright red roses and ribbons, they froze in shock.

Chloe's father spoke with a stutter, his voice shaking with anger:

"Ethan... is this party really for Lola?"

Ethan, busy hanging up a red banner, smiled and nodded.

"Yes. I wasn't here when she got married, and I've felt terrible about it."

"Lola has her... issues. As her family, we should pay for this reception to show our appreciation to her husband's family. It's the right thing to do."

Before he could finish, Chloe's father began to tremble with rage. He threw the money hard onto the ground and turned on his heel.

At the gate, he spat out bitterly:

"Everyone in this town knows why Lola ended up the way she did."

"You went to the city and lost your damn mind, didn't you? Helping the Millers throw a party after what they did? You're going to burn in hell, Ethan Carter!"

With that, Chloe's family stormed off.

Serena chased after them, grabbing Chloe's arm, demanding an explanation.

Chloe pointed toward the cemetery on the hill, tears streaming down her face.

"Lola is dead! Luke Miller tortured her to death! Both she and the baby are buried in the dirt right now!"

"You didn't come back to protect her, you pushed her into that hellhole instead!"

"And now that she's gone, you're helping the Millers celebrate? What kind of sick brother are you?!"

Serena stumbled back into the yard, her face white. Ethan was busy washing the grill.

He muttered angrily, "I don't know what's wrong with that family. If they don't want the money, we'll find someone else to cater!"

Serena opened her mouth, trembling, but before she could speak, a loud commotion came from the front gate.

It was a sound I knew all too well.

"It's the bad guys from the gas station! They're here to steal our things again!"

I hid behind Ethan, but he stood up with a warm smile to welcome them.

The man leading them was Luke Miller.

With the other creeps cheering him on, Luke walked up to Ethan, acting meek, and muttered, "Long time no see."

Ethan looked past him, searching for me. When he saw no one, disappointment flashed in his eyes.

"Is Lola still mad at me for coming back late? Is she refusing to see me?"

Realizing Ethan was completely in the dark, Luke's attitude changed instantly. Seeing more townspeople gathering, he pulled Serena out of the yard.

Scared he would hurt her, I quickly followed them.

Once out of Ethan's sight, Luke sneered and shoved his hand out.

"Where is the monthly cash you promised?"

"Pay up, or I'll tell Ethan that you are my biological sister, Serena Miller. Let's see if he still keeps you in his fancy city apartment after that!"

I froze.

Serena's real brother... was Luke, the monster who tormented me.

Serena slapped his hand away in disgust.

"You have the nerve to ask for money?"

"Lola died weeks ago! How dare you keep that from me!"

Luke scratched his head, looking bored.

"You told me to marry her and keep her locked up in this town so she couldn't go to the city. You didn't say I couldn't touch her."

"Besides, she was weak. She died during labor after just a few times. Who knows whose bastard she was carrying anyway?"

Serena's body shook with pure rage. She slapped him hard across the face.

"She was pregnant, you idiot! How could you treat her like that?!"

Enraged, Luke grabbed Serena by the throat, pinning her against the wall.

"Other women survive pregnancy just fine! She was just fragile! She deserved to die!"

"And who cares about the baby? They were both useless baggage!"

I screamed at him, begging him to let her go, but it was useless.

Nobody could hear me.

Luke growled a threat, telling Serena she had to pay him before she left for the city, or he would expose her.

Just then, Ethan's cold voice rang out from behind them:

"Luke... what the hell are you talking about?"