　　For some reason, John felt a sense of
　　unease as he watched Sharon's race car in the video.
　　At that moment, Sharon made a mistake in
　　her operation.
　　John couldn't help but urgently remind her,
　　“Sharon, what are you doing?”
　　“The drifting angle is off; the steering wheel was turned too early.”
　　Each accusation made Sharon panic more.
　　Her mistakes multiplied.
　　One by one, the cars behind her overtook
　　her.
　　When the race ended,
　　Sharon took off her helmet and threw it to
　　the ground, lashing out at John :
　　“What are you shouting about? It's all your fault for giving bad
　　instructions. Otherwise, I would have won the championship.”
　　The veins on John 's forehead bulged as he
　　tried to stay calm and talk to Sharon.
　　“You made several mistakes and blame me for giving wrong
　　instructions.”
　　“If it were Vivian, she would never have made such mistakes.”
　　As soon as he 

　　The icy, bone-chilling lake water
　　surrounded me.
　　Fortunately, I was quickly rescued by
　　someone who had been arranged to do so.
　　However, my body was too weak, and I lost
　　consciousness again.
　　When I groggily opened my eyes, I heard a
　　woman's scolding voice.
　　“Vivian, have you lost your mind?”
　　“Is it worth sacrificing your health for that fool, John ?”
　　I opened my mouth and called out “Mom,” my voice
　　dry and hoarse.
　　“I know I was wrong. I'll stay with you and take care of you from now
　　on.”
　　My mother's eyes were red as she touched
　　the tears that had streamed down her face.
　　“Don't participate in racing competitions anymore. Just stay by my
　　side.”
　　“Your mom still has some money; it's enough to support you for a
　　lifetime.”
　　I nodded.
　　After my mother divorced my father, she met
　　her current stepfather.
　　He was an overseas Chinese who took my
　　mother a

　　John 's voice came through, filled with
　　fury.
　　Then, he kicked me in the stomach.
　　I glared at him viciously, still not
　　letting go.
　　The hatred in my eyes made him pause for a
　　moment, but Sharon's cries for help brought him back.
　　He continued to kick me forcefully,
　　shouting, "Let go, Vivian."
　　The pain in my lower abdomen merged once
　　again with memories from my childhood.
　　Fear and helplessness enveloped me, and I
　　released my grip, blood flowing from the corner of my mouth.
　　I hugged my head with both hands, curling
　　my body into a ball, and kept shouting,
　　“Don't hit me... I'm sorry, I'll never do it again.”
　　Sharon's eyes welled up with tears as she
　　glared at me fiercely.
　　She stepped forward to kick me again but
　　was held back by John .
　　The furrowed brows of John made Sharon
　　hesitate.
　　John 's gaze towards me had a hint of
　　regret and heartache.
　　Just as he was about to come towards me,
　　Sharon quickly grabbed him, letting out a cry of pain:
　　“Ah, it hurts!”
　　“John, my leg hurts! I have a race the day after tomorrow!”
　　Without any hesitation, John  carried Sharon upstairs.
　　Before leaving, he still shouted at me, “Vivian, you
　　better watch yourself. Reflect on your actions in there.”
　　He slammed the door shut.
　　And I remained immersed in the dark scenes
　　from my childhood.
　　Tears streamed down repeatedly, as if I
　　could still feel the pain of the sticks hitting my body back then.
　　It wasn't until the cold floor brought me
　　back to my senses.
　　My eyes were dazed, and my eye sockets dry.
　　Mechanically, I took out my phone and
　　checked the date.
　　My lips forced a smile, revealing a grin.
　　There were still 48 hours left.
　　John , I'm about to leave you.
　　The next morning.
　　John 
　　let me out.
　　He looked down at me condescendingly.
　　“Vivian, you need to apologize to Sharon.”
　　I sat on the floor, leaning against the
　　bed, ignoring him.
　　“Did you hear me, Vivian? If you don't apologize, I'll kick you out.”
　　John 's voice rose again, the veins on his
　　forehead bulging, his gaze towards me cold and ruthless.
　　Indeed, the one you love always knows how
　　to hurt you.
　　I've long had no home.
　　What if I'm kicked out?
　　I don't care anymore.
　　I looked up at him coldly and spat at him, “In your
　　dreams.”
　　After speaking, I could no longer hold
　　myself up and fainted.
　　I was taken to the hospital, and when I
　　woke up, only a caretaker was with me.
　　John and Sharon had gone abroad to
　　participate in a racing competition.
　　I looked down at the time; there were still
　　12 hours left.
　　“Mom, do me a favor.”
　　After sending the message, I ate a few
　　bites of food.
　　I asked the caretaker to take me for a walk
　　nearby.
　　When we passed the Bay Bridge, I said I
　　wanted to see the scenery there.
　　Taking advantage of her inattention, I
　　jumped off.
　　Closing my eyes, the moment I touched the
　　river water, I whispered to myself:
　　“John , goodbye.”

　　For some reason, John felt a sense of
　　unease as he watched Sharon's race car in the video.
　　At that moment, Sharon made a mistake in
　　her operation.
　　John couldn't help but urgently remind her,
　　“Sharon, what are you doing?”
　　“The drifting angle is off; the steering wheel was turned too early.”
　　Each accusation made Sharon panic more.
　　Her mistakes multiplied.
　　One by one, the cars behind her overtook
　　her.
　　When the race ended,
　　Sharon took off her helmet and threw it to
　　the ground, lashing out at John :
　　“What are you shouting about? It's all your fault for giving bad
　　instructions. Otherwise, I would have won the championship.”
　　The veins on John 's forehead bulged as he
　　tried to stay calm and talk to Sharon.
　　“You made several mistakes and blame me for giving wrong
　　instructions.”
　　“If it were Vivian, she would never have made such mistakes.”
　　As soon as he finished speaking, he saw
　　Sharon's eyes fill with tears, and she said indignantly:
　　“I knew it, y

Chapter 5