Chapter 9
A month later the show was uploaded to YouTube as scheduled.
But it was taken down after just one episode.
It turned out that the violent scenes involving Sam’s family were physically disturbing to viewers.
In the only broadcast footage, my mom’s face was completely blurred–no one could tell who she
was.
She called the YouTubers countless times to negotiate.
She even sold everything she owned, converted it to cash, and sent it to the production team, hoping
they could buy views and trending spots to get the show back online. Meanwhile, she waited alone in her empty rented apartment.
Waiting, hoping, expecting.
She truly believed she could go viral at age forty–five.
But what finally came was an official notice from YouTube.
The notice stated that the “REFORM: BAD MOTHERS” production team was suspected of illegal filming and fraud.
Effective immediately, the entire account was banned across all platforms, and all related members would await police investigation.
The day the production team was taken away by the police…
Happened to be my dad and Monica’s wedding day.
I was a thousand kilometers away working on a research project for school, not paying much
attention.
It wasn’t until I received a call from the police that I found out what happened.
That day…
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Chapter 9
Just as my dad and Monica walked arm–in–arm down the red carpet,
My mom charged into the wedding venue with a knife.
Monica was stabbed sixteen times and died on the spot.
My dad was stabbed nine times and became brain–dead.
Upon hearing the news, I put my research aside and flew back to my long–abandoned hometown.
At the police station, my mom was sobbing uncontrollably.
When she saw me, it was like she’d found a lifeline after ages.
“Riley, my baby, I knew you wouldn’t abandon your mother! Please! If you just sign this forgiveness
letter, they’ll give me a lighter sentence!”
“Or maybe you could arrange a psychiatric evaluation for me! Then I wouldn’t have to go to prison!”
I looked at her calmly and shook my head.
“I believe justice will be fair and will give you the sentence you deserve. If I signed this letter, I’d be betraying dad and the innocent Monica you murdered.”
“No! Riley! I’m begging you! I can’t do that much time! I know I wasn’t good to you before! Just save me this once! I promise I’ll be the best mother ever!”
With a thud…
My mom fell to her knees in front of me.
Pathetically clutching at my pants.
Many years ago…
I had also knelt before her, begging for a sanitary pad, while she looked at the bloodstains on my
pants and said no.
I had also begged during the dead of winter for a penny to use the coin–operated washing machine,
as she looked at my cracked hands and said no.
She never imagined that years later, I would look at her with the same eyes and say “no.”
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hapter 9
In the end, my mom was sentenced to twenty years in prison.
Barring the unexpected she’ll spend the rest of her life behind bars.
After sorting everything out, I sent my dad to a care facility.
His insurance money pays for his monthly care expenses.
Then, I disposed of the few assets my parents had left.
And boarded a plane back to my research lab.
As the plane took off, the scenery below grew smaller.
I thought to myself…
All the ugliness in my life has finally disappeared completely, and only beauty lies ahead.
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