Unexpected Cohabitation

Part 2

I gasp audibly. I'm sure no one heard it though, seeing as they were equally shocked by the unexpected action.

A sob follows shortly after. However, it doesn't come from Young Master, the person who received the slap. Instead, it's his sister who starts to cry, her face turned to the side and her eyes closed. It's clear she doesn't want to see any of it anymore but can't bring herself to leave her family behind either. So she simply brings her hands to her face and buries herself in her husband's embrace.

Since none of the other onlookers seem like they'll be doing anything, I don't care for them.

I turn my gaze back to Young Master.

He's staring right into his father's eyes.

At first glance, it looks like he's completely unfazed, even though his cheek is red and his lips are bleeding. But I grew up by Young Master's side. I know better. Something in his watery stare isn't the same. I don't know what it is, but it brings tears to my own eyes.

"How did we give birth to something like you? How could you try to kill someone else just because they're marrying someone who doesn't even like you?!"

Madam's words end with a painful scream as she slides onto the cold floor.

Young Master slowly turns his head to face her. His expression slowly grows cold.

"You also think I did that?"

Although it comes out as a question, I can tell he's only stating a fact he himself doesn't want to accept. The others don't seem to realize this though. As if to confirm my guess, Mr. Gartner roars:

"Aren't you ashamed of yourself?! Will you insist on lying even when the witness exposed your lies in front of everyone, including yourself?"

"I didn't do it."

Young Master's answer was shorter than the previous times they'd asked him about it. He didn't raise his voice. He didn't explain anything. He didn't recount the event from the beginning. He didn't even demand additional proof or tell them to wait for "that woman to wake up and tell them herself." Instead, his answer was straightforward and delivered without any hint of an emotion.

A tear rolled down my cheek as I watch him silently.

Even yesterday, he was still shouting and screaming his truth. He cried and broke the first things he could get his hand on, to release his frustration at their lack of trust in his words. That was very characteristic of him. Now... Young Master seems to have given up.

I don't like this.

I have to stop this.

I take a deep breath. I need to do something. Even if it goes against Young Master's direct orders.

I'm determined when I lift my foot. I'm ready to defend him against everyone's unfair accusations, just like I've been doing since the incident occurred, only this time, with evidence to back up our words. Before it lands back on the floor, however, Young Master says something that shocks me even more than his family's lack of faith in him.

"Since I'm such a shame to you all, would you like me to leave?"

...what?

I blink repeatedly. My vision is blurry from the tears.

Young Master doesn't waver.

He appears to be looking at his mother, but I can see that's not the case. He's looking past her, straight at me:

"You can consider that I'm no longer a son of the Gartner family."