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121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNw7gzaonk
Mark was sitting in his chair, finishing his work. Four hours later, he was done with his tasks. He then stepped outside and saw Selin go to a corner. Mark quietly approached and touched her shoulder, but Selin pushed him away forcefully and walked off, causing Mark to fall to the ground.
As Mark turned back on the ground, he saw his older brother Stefan behind him. Stefan, resembling Thor in personality, had blue eyes, brown hair, and was wearing a brown suit. He looked organized and responsible, staring critically at Mark’s dirty clothes. Because Mark had fallen, his clothes were soiled. Stefan scolded him sharply:
“Mark, look at the state of your outfit! Why do you look like this? You didn’t watch where you were going and ruined your clothes? Disgusting! Come with me; do you realize what time it is? If you’re not home soon, Mom and Dad will be very upset, do you understand?”
Mark looked up and saw that it was nearly night; the city lights in the distance were already dim. The sky blended shades of navy blue and lighter blues. Mark stared in astonishment. Stefan rolled his eyes and firmly grabbed Mark by the arm, leading him home. When Stefan opened the door, he forcefully pushed Mark toward the ground. Mark’s body ached from the impact.
His mother rushed over anxiously:121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1stMb9SSHG
“My son, are you okay? Your clothes are sweaty! What happened outside? Did you fight with some troublemakers? Was it a violent fight? I’ve told you so many times, don’t mess with dangerous people; they could stab you or follow you!” She looked at him protectively.
Mark’s father arrived next. With black hair and black eyes, dressed entirely in a black suit and pants, he looked strict and authoritative, pointing his finger like a warning and checking his watch to imply the late hour.
His father said:121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPA6QHV7fX
“Do you realize what time it is, Mark? It’s almost midnight!”
Mark’s mother looked at him and said, pointing outside:121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvnv7IY75i5
“Don’t exaggerate, dear. It’s still shades of navy and blue; it’s not midnight yet. But your father is right, Mark, you should come home earlier. When we set curfews, you must follow them. You’re in our house; you must obey the rules!”
Mark rose from the floor, squinting, and smiled devilishly with a mocking tone:121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsWkCCMeBz
“Ahhh, how wonderful! You treat Stefan so leniently, while I have to come home earlier. He comes home late, even after concerts, past midnight. But of course, he’s the ‘golden child’ of the house, isn’t he? You put chains and rules on me! You wouldn’t let Stefan go abroad, especially because of Dad’s control—‘No money, too young, not suitable.’ And now he’s in a temporary job earning little, and you punish him for it! I’ve never seen a more wonderful family… I love you all!”
His mother looked at him with worry, eyes wide open. His father glared angrily, his face turning red; he slammed his hands on the armchair and shouted:121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdahtm9UWui
“STOP COMPARING TO STEFAN! HE IS MORE INDEPENDENT, HE GOES TO THE STATION BY HIMSELF, TAKES THE SUBWAY, AND IS OLDER THAN YOU. YOU ARE YOUNG. REMEMBER THIS! YOU WILL FOLLOW MY RULES. IF YOU DON’T, YOU WILL FACE THE CONSEQUENCES, MARK! OUR FINANCES AND AGE DO NOT ALLOW YOU TO GO ABROAD. YOU WILL GO AFTER UNIVERSITY, UNDERSTOOD?”
Stefan smirked condescendingly behind them, winking at Mark and teasing:121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5dC2Zz5i6
“Oh, you think Dad and Mom don’t love you, Mark? Don’t play the victim!”
Mark stared darkly, a deep sadness in his eyes:121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPR8iMUh3x
“You want me home all day but then set curfews when I go out. How ironic. Even after university, you’ll control me under the guise of ‘good intentions’!”
His father grabbed Mark’s arm firmly, raising his voice:121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDtqANbAWx
“WHEN YOU GO OUT, YOU WILL TELL US THE TIME! IF IT’S TWO HOURS, TWO HOURS! THEN YOU COME BACK, UNDERSTOOD?”
Mark looked with deep sorrow, eyes glimmering with a cunning light, and tears began to fall as he hiccupped.
His mother embraced him protectively, concern in her voice:121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wB6SGhcTa
“Mark, are you okay?”
Mark looked away, silent. His father calmed down but remained authoritative, letting go of Mark’s arm.121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9k9VTHX5fq
“Mark, are you okay? How do you feel?” he asked.
Mark stayed silent for a while. His mother left, and his father came closer, looking into Mark’s eyes, though Mark averted his gaze. His father sighed and looked away, as if recalling a distant memory:121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0G1erJM8J
“When I was your age, I was also rebellious, defiant, and constantly challenging everything. I argued with my father when I came home at night, just like you. My father tried to force me to be disciplined, to act like a soldier!”
Mark lowered his head; his hair covered his eyes. His deep, velvet voice spoke softly, tears dried on his cheeks:121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhNNGFUQT5
“And then?”
His father shrugged and closed his eyes, then opened them, reliving the moment:121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGK4BOQdsT3
“Then I realized my father was protecting me for my own good. I also know your mother sometimes overprotects you, but ultimately, she wants what’s best. The world won’t always be as kind as we are. There are dangers and evil people. One day, your mother and I won’t be here. You and Stefan will need to stand independently, protect yourselves, and be the master of your life. I love you!”
He affectionately stroked Mark’s head and left. His mother, still protective, reminded him:121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmIF5KMktl
“Brush your teeth, Mark!”
His father touched her shoulder:121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfHONZfwZK
“He can do it himself, Martha. He needs to be alone. Now let’s go, Stefan, time to sleep!”
After his parents left with Stefan, Mark looked outside; it was nearly night. He gazed deeply with sorrow. Then, eyes filled with ambition and revenge, he smiled devilishly, glancing sideways:121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hxnf1kvHs
“Ah, fools. By pretending to be innocent, I learned their pasts. My father was rebellious like me, challenging everything, and his father crushed him. How shameful—all chained, trapped in their cages. I will play a game with them, confront them with their shadows, darkness, and traumas, make them mentally tortured and desperate. I won’t even look at their tears. I am now the master of the game; they must follow my rules!”
He vanished, flying among shadows, disappearing into the darkness.
—To be continued—
ns216.73.216.121da2
and then Add to home screen.