137: The Signs of Breaking

[You and Miri have perfectly executed this scheme with your superb acting.]

[Mr. and Mrs. Isshiki and Iroha now harbor strong feelings of guilt towards you and Miri, surrounded by emotions like anxiety, regret, and a desire to make amends.]

[But you are well aware that this is still far from enough; it is a long way from the extent you expect.]

[A healthy adult's mind is not so fragile that it will collapse just because of one incident.]

[What you need is a mountain of guilt, pressing heavily on Iroha, making her unable to breathe or think normally, so that she can only be guided by the information you inadvertently reveal, subtly leading her to think about what you hope she would.]

[After Miri was discharged from the hospital two weeks later, you deliberately brought in the doctor you had bribed to ask a question.]

[The doctor, surprised by your question, answered that cutting the inner wrist is a good method.] 

[The blood loss appears dramatic and alarming, but apart from pain and scars, there are no long-term effects because blood naturally coagulates during the flow.]

[Finally, from a professional perspective, he advised that for safety, the cut should not be too deep and that the knife must be disinfected.]

Chisato: "?!!"

The simulated life version of me! Asking such dangerous things! What are you trying to get someone to do!?

[You listened to the doctor's answer and nodded in satisfaction. You handed him a thick envelope from your pocket.]

[After returning home with your wife, you realized it was time to take the next step.]

[You chose a sunny day and took your wife to visit your bedridden stepmother. Naturally, Mr. and Mrs. Isshiki and Iroha followed, feeling guilty.]

[In the convalescent room, your stepmother, not wanting to be "cared for" anymore and wishing for a quick and easy release, was performing as you had instructed.]

[She smiled, initially showing happiness at your visit, then, as if ignoring the somber expressions of everyone, she complained to Miri about how long it had been since you last visited her, questioning if you were tired of her as an old woman.]

[Seeing everyone's awkwardness, she quickly laughed, saying those were just jokes, and then asked Miri about her recent condition and whether the baby had been named.]

[Miri, forced to smile, could not answer her questions directly.]

[With a deep breath, Mrs. Isshiki was about to step forward to apologize and reveal the truth, but she was stopped by you. You asked Miri to step back and sit by the bed.]

[In a gentle tone, you explained the miscarriage of the baby, but you did not mention it was due to Iroha.] 

[Instead, you simply said it was because your wife had accidentally fallen.]

[Your stepmother, after hearing this, leaned back on the bed, her gaze blank for a long time.] 

[She called Miri to hold her hand and comforted her for a long time.]

[Afterwards, she asked everyone else to leave, leaving only you to talk.]

[The others stood in the corridor outside the door, witnessing the disappointment your stepmother had shown.] 

[Everyone fell silent, looking at each other.]

[About ten minutes later, a loud "No! I absolutely do not agree!" echoed from the convalescent room, clearly heard by everyone.]

[They rushed in, worried about what might have happened.]

[Inside the convalescent room, you were no longer gentle but appeared extremely agitated, standing by the bed.]

[Miri and Iroha hurriedly held your arm, while Mrs. Isshiki sat by the bed, anxiously asking what was happening…]

[First-person perspective…]

In the convalescent room.

The atmosphere was off. Chisato's stepmother leaned on the bed, slowly shaking her head in response to Mrs. Isshiki's questions.

"It's not Chisato's fault; it's my fault. I'm too selfish."

"Too selfish?"

Mrs. Isshiki was confused.

The stepmother on the bed nodded slowly, looking at Miri with pity.

"I was hoping to see my good grandson before speaking, but I'm sorry, Chisato, I can't hold on any longer."

"Please don't say that. You'll get better!"

"I know my own body. Besides, do you know my pain?"

Pain?

Everyone was puzzled by the conversation between mother and child. Mr. Isshiki finally couldn't hold back and asked.

"Chisato, what were you arguing about?"

Chisato's face was ashen, and he did not answer.

The stepmother spoke softly.

"I want to see my husband."

Everyone was stunned, then alarmed.

"Mom, what are you talking about?"

Miri sat by the bed, holding her hand.

Mrs. Isshiki quickly tried to comfort her.

But it was in vain; her expression remained unchanged.

"Miri."

"Yes, Mom."

"Help me lift the blanket."

"..."

Miri hesitated.

"Quickly!"

"Yes!"

Miri lifted the blanket from the stepmother, revealing a body with a missing lower limb, a bare and deformed appearance, and the medical tubes extending from her clothes.

"I can't eat by myself; I need someone to feed me. Because I've been lying in bed for years, my muscles have atrophied, and it's difficult even to lift my hand." 

"I can't even perform normal bodily functions. I don't sleep well because of this body that has fallen into disrepair." 

"I never know when some part of me will suddenly experience intense pain. Do you know how excruciating that feeling is?"

As the stepmother spoke, tears flowed silently.

"I'm sorry, Chisato. I originally planned to see my good grandson before going to find your father, but I really can't hold on any longer." 

"I don't want to continue enduring this torment here, nor do I want to burden you any further."

She extended her hands to hold Miri's arm, trembling with the effort.

She slowly lowered her head to face everyone.

"Please, let me retain a shred of dignity as a person and leave with some grace."

Miri looked at her, her eyes gradually losing focus.

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