Harper’s name used to be inextricably linked with Julian’s, but now we were finally separated.
As public opinion spiraled, the police came for Julian.
“Mr. Julian, someone has reported you for murder. Please come with us to cooperate with the
investigation.”
I watched Julian being led away; he didn’t even resist. If Julian had wanted to, he could have shifted the blame, could have gotten himself off the hook. But he just stood there, ashen–faced and broken, not saying a word. Perhaps it was belated guilt, or a stirring conscience. Julian finally had to face the
truth-
My death was linked to him.
People claiming to be my relatives showed up at his door, strutting around Julian arrogantly. Actually, this matter wasn’t big, but it wasn’t small either.
After all, when the mountain collapsed, no one knew exactly what happened. Everyone was just suspicious and speculating; the truth of that year remained unknown. No one could say for sure if it was intentional murder or truly a natural disaster.
I watched as my so–called relatives threatened Julian in hushed tones, and all I wanted to do was laugh. What forgiveness letters, what agreement not to pursue charges–it was all just an attempt to profit from my death.
My parents had died in an accident soon after I was born.
My family was poor; there was no money, and no one wanted to raise me. They all called me a jinx, abandoning me on the streets while I was still in swaddling clothes. It was a kind stranger who finally took me to an orphanage.
4:35 pm
<
The relatives in front of Julian were now crying crocodile tears, gushing about their affection for me and their regret. But as the person they were talking about, I just wanted to laugh. If they wanted to find
me, why wait until now? The internet was so developed now, and back then, when I was abandoned, people had gone door–to–door investigating.
When Julian was a nobody, everyone looked down on him. When he climbed to the top, everyone feared him. And now, as Julian fell from grace, everyone wanted to stomp on him. The person spoke with such feigned passion, while Julian just stared blankly ahead. When the person paused, clearing their throat, Julian finally spoke, his voice hoarse from disuse, but crystal clear:
“Do you, of all people, have the right to call yourselves her relatives?”
Having navigated these murky waters for years, Julian saw through their intentions at a glance. He suddenly curved his lips, a bitter smile blossoming on his pale face.
“I can die with her. But who are you? A bunch of parasites. You don’t deserve to come near.”
I had never seen Julian like this, but watching the other person’s frantic expression, an
indescribable irritation welled up inside me. In truth, at this point, in my heart, Julian was no different
from them. When I loved Julian, he was incomparably important to me. But after that love vanished, stripping away the idealized image, Julian’s place in my heart had plummeted.
Without conclusive evidence, Julian was soon released. The first thing he did upon coming out was delete those posts. Those ridiculous posts, now mocked by countless people. The sunflowers in the yard still bloomed, but no one cared about their meaning anymore. Silent, unspoken love. And also- new growth, new beginnings.
9
