Fairless Daughter

The Hatred Begins

Kai’s POV

A few girls claimed that James drugged and r***d them when they were at a party. Again, our father made the charges disappear but sent James overseas for two months. Claiming that James needed a break and that going overseas would help him relax and clear his head. We heard nothing about James during those two months, but I didn’t care about him. Knowing him, he is probably getting into trouble there too. Now Mom was worried about his selfish ass and Cha as well. She started losing weight, and the little light in her eyes disappeared. She was like a shell going through the motions because she still had me to care for her. I felt weak because I wanted to bring Cha home to make Mom happy again. I was too young, so I prayed I would grow up fast.

I was just so worried about Cha. She was always so lovely and kind to everyone; she might not be able to survive living with that breast, Yeong. Another seven months passed, and I still awaited word about Cha. I couldn’t take it anymore, and one day, when my father came home, I asked him, “Father, have you spoken or heard anything about Cha?” To our surprise, he didn’t get angry; he just looked at me and said, “She is doing well at her new home.” that was the end of the conversation. I knew better than to push further; I had been lucky. Plus, the fact that he even answered my question was a miracle. After dinner, I was helping my mother clean up the kitchen, and she smiled, so I asked her, “Why are you smiling, Mom?” She hugged me and kissed me in my hair. “ Your father said that your sister is okay. I am happy to hear that she is doing well.” I didn’t feel the same way because I didn’t believe him. He didn’t care enough about us to call and check up on her well-being. I won’t tell Mom that, though; I didn’t want her to continue being sad. She deserved this little peace of mind.

James came back from overseas three months after he left. Mom prepared a fancy meal to welcome him home. That night the little s**t went out with his friends and didn’t come home for dinner. Mom was heartbroken but didn’t tell him anything about it. On the other hand, I was not going to let him get away with it. I lashed out at him the second he walked into the house, “ Do you know how long mom worked on making a very nice meal to welcome you home? All your selfish ass had to do was sit down and eat with her. You always treated her like crap, but she still loves and worries about you. You’re a selfish, ungrateful ass that doesn't deserve her kindness. You’re such a loser.” After getting that off my chest, I rolled my eyes at him and walked away. He had the nerve to yell out, “ I am going to tell Dad that you yelled and cursed at me.” he is such a baby. I turned, stuck my tongue out at him, and walked away.

About two months later, I came home from school to find Mom really excited. When I entered the house, she was holding a letter in her hands and waving it. I entered the living room and sat beside her, looking at the letter in her hands. It was from Cha, and I was excited, too. Since Mom couldn’t read well, she had to wait until I got home so I could read it to her.

Dear Mom and Kai,

Sorry, it took me so long to write to you. I have been missing you so much that it still hurts. I could not write because I was punished for trying to run away several times. I was beaten by Kang and his other wives and locked up in a cage until I lost all hope of seeing you again. I am now Yeong and his wife's servant, so I have to cook and clean. If they didn’t like the food, I would get beaten and locked in the cage again. Yeong would come to my storage room at night and r**e me. One night, I tried to fight him off, and he beat me so severely that I couldn’t walk for several months. I hate my life so much that I pray every night that god will take me. I don’t know how much more I can take; please beg Father to bring me home. I will do anything. Please come and take me home; I don’t want to die without seeing you both again. I love you and miss you both so much. Kang said if I behaved like myself, he would let me write to you once a month. I will be on my best behavior when writing to you.

Love always Cha

By the time I finished reading the letter, it was soaking wet from my tears. Mom completely broke down and was balled up in the corner of the sofa, crying and panting as if she couldn’t breathe. I moved over and hugged her while I rubbed her back, trying to comfort her. But nothing could help either of us ease this pain; we had to find a way to get Cha home. I don’t care what will happen to me. I will demand that our father bring Cha back home. If we leave her there, she will die, and I won’t let that happen. James was the first to come home that evening, and I told him what was happening to Cha and that I needed him to convince Father to bring her home. He frowned and said, "I am far too busy to be bothered by that right now.” Then he walked away and went to his room. Whatever little feelings I had left for James died that day, and after that day, I no longer considered James as my brother.