I Was Born For Their Mistakes, Not For Love Chapter 02
Maya ran so fast she disappeared through the front door in seconds.
Mom chased after her for two steps before stopping, furious.
“Unbelievable,” she hissed. “Every single one of you has turned against me.”
Caleb rushed toward the basement door again, hope flickering across his face.
“That’s good,” he said quickly. “Hazel, hold on. Maya’s bringing someone back. You’re gonna be
okay.”
For the first time all night, the crushing pain in my chest eased just a little.
Then footsteps thundered down the hallway.
Maya came rushing back inside.
Dad was right behind her.
He looked around the room, confused. “What’s going on?”
Mom crossed her arms with a cold laugh.
“Your “Your children lied to us and snuck junk food into the house,” she said. “I’m teaching them a
lesson.”
She lifted her chin confidently as she walked closer to him.
“And this time, I refuse to go soft.”
Dad frowned and glanced toward me through the basement window.
“What exactly did you give her?”
Mom answered casually.
“Rat poison.”
Dad’s entire expression changed.
“You gave a child rat poison?”
Mom burst out laughing.
“Oh, relax, honey.” She waved dismissively. “It expired over a year ago. The chemicals are basically useless by now. Worst case, she gets sick for a few hours. She’s not going to die.”
Dad visibly relaxed.
The tension left his shoulders almost immediately.
Then he turned toward Caleb and Maya with annoyance.
“See? Your mother knows what she’s doing. She’s trying to help you. Screaming and panicking over something this minor is ridiculous.”
Maya stared at him in disbelief.
“Dad!” she shouted. “Hazel’s throwing up blood! How is that minor?!”
Dad frowned impatiently.
“Enough already. Your mom said the poison expired. Stop being dramatic.”
I clenched my fists so tightly my nails cut into my palms.
Using the wall for support, I barely managed to stand.
“Dad…” My voice came out weak and trembling. “I really hurt…”
He gave me a distracted smile.
“You’ll live. Just endure it for your brother and sister, okay? This is for the good of the family.” His tone turned mildly reproachful. “Don’t be selfish.”
My hand slowly slid down the wall.
Then suddenly, Caleb exploded.
“Fuck this lesson!”
He slammed his fist into the wall so hard his knuckles split open instantly. Blood streaked down the
surface.
Mom gasped and rushed toward him in panic.
“How could you hurt yourself like that?” she cried, cradling his bleeding hand carefully. “Look at your hand! You’re bleeding!”
Her eyes reddened almost immediately.
Dad looked furious too.
“You still think this is a game?” he barked. “Clearly neither of you has learned anything!”
Then he turned toward me.
His glare sharpened.
“This whole situation is because of you. Why can’t you cooperate with your mother for once? Why
are you so fragile?”
I couldn’t hold it in anymore.
Tears spilled uncontrollably down my face.
Maya finally broke down completely.
“Mom! Dad!” she sobbed hysterically. “I know I was wrong! I swear I’ll never order delivery again for the rest of my life! Please let Hazel out!”
Caleb shoved away from Mom and dropped to his knees beside Maya.
“I swear too,” he said hoarsely. “I’ll never eat takeout again.”
Mom and Dad exchanged a glance.
Then both of them smiled.
Mom slowly crouched in front of Caleb and Maya, her voice suddenly gentle.
“Then swear on Hazel’s life.”
The moment those words left her mouth, my heart stopped.
Caleb and Maya looked torn apart inside.
But eventually, both lowered their heads.
“I swear,” Caleb whispered, “that I’ll never order delivery again. If I break that promise… Hazel can die instead.”
Maya repeated the oath through tears.
Mom nodded in satisfaction.
“See? That wasn’t so hard.” She smiled warmly. “If you’d done this earlier, Hazel wouldn’t have suffered so much.”
Dad nodded approvingly.
Then he walked over to the basement door and entered the code into the electronic lock.
