The room fell silent once more, the only sound the heavy breathing of its occupants. Peter's
words hung in the air like a challenge, his decision to sacrifice his own life for his half-sister's
sake both shocking and humbling.
Liya's face contorted in a mix of guilt and happiness, her eyes welling up with tears. She felt like
she was being torn apart, her love for her daughter warring with her gratitude and shame
towards Peter.
John, on the other hand, looked like he had been punched in the gut. "Why, Peter?" he asked,
his voice shaking. "Why would you do this?"
Peter's smile was faint, but his words were laced with conviction. "Because I love you, Mother. I
never hated you. I was angry at you, but I love you. I'll do this because I'm the best son in the
world. Maybe you're the worst mother, but I'm the best son."
Liya's dam of emotions burst, and she collapsed into a torrent of tears. She couldn't bear the
weight of Peter's words, the guilt and shame threatening to consume her.
John, however, regained his composure, his face set in a determined expression. "No, Peter,
you can't do this," he said, his voice firm.
But Liya stopped him, her eyes blazing with a desperate intensity. "You want your daughter to
live or not?" she spat, her voice venomous.
John's face faltered, his eyes dropping in shame. He knew he had no right to deny Liya's
request, not when his own daughter's life hung in the balance. With a heavy heart, he nodded,
sealing Peter's fate.
*A Secret Witness*
The conversation between Peter and Liya came to a close, with Liya's words hanging in the air
like a death sentence. "In a month," she had said, her voice devoid of emotion.
Peter's heart felt like it had been shattered into a million pieces. He left Liya's house, his feet
carrying him on autopilot as his mind reeled with the weight of his decision.
Unbeknownst to Peter, a secret witness had been listening to the entire conversation from
outside the window. Rika, the girl who lived in front of Peter's house, had been eavesdropping
on the heart-wrenching exchange.
Rika had always harbored a secret crush on Peter, but she had never mustered the courage to
tell him. Now, as she listened to Peter's decision to sacrifice his life for his half-sister, she felt a
mix of emotions: devastation, anger, and a deep sense of sadness.
Why was Peter willing to give up his life for people who had never loved him? Didn't he deserve
to live, to be happy? Rika's heart ached for Peter, and she knew she had to do something to
stop him from making this terrible mistake.
*A Turning Point*
Rika went to Peter's house, her heart heavy with the weight of what she had overheard. Peter
was resting on the couch, his eyes closed as if trying to shut out the world.
Rika asked Peter, "What happened?" But Peter just shook his head, his eyes still closed.
"Nothing," he muttered.
Rika asked again, her voice laced with concern. "Tell me if anything's wrong." But Peter denied
anything was wrong, his voice flat and emotionless.
Rika's frustration boiled over, and she suddenly slapped Peter very hard. Peter's eyes snapped
open, shock and pain written across his face.
Rika started crying, her tears streaming down her face. "I know what you're going to do," she
sobbed, her voice cracking with emotion. "I won't accept it. You don't have to do this. They don't
deserve it. Please don't do this."
Peter's eyes, once empty and resigned, now filled with a glimmer of hope. Rika's words, her
tears, and her slap had awakened something within him.
But he pushed her away, his voice laced with despair. "No, I want to do this. I'm done, Rika. I'm
done with this cruel world. I was never loved by anyone. I was all alone. All my life is suffering. I
am done with it. Let me rest, please."
Rika's face contorted in anguish, her eyes pleading with Peter to reconsider. "What do you
mean alone, stupid?" she whispered, her voice trembling. "I was there all the time. Please stay
with me. Please."
Peter holds Rika's hands, and Rika's words finally broke through his defenses. Peter's
composure crumbled, and he broke down, tears streaming down his face. For the first time in
his life, he felt seen, heard, and loved. Rika's words had pierced the armor of his despair, and
he began to question his decision.
As Rika wrapped her arms around him, holding him close, Peter felt a spark of hope ignite
within him. Would he change his decision? The seeds of doubt had been sown, and only time
would tell if they would bloom into a new lease on life.
*A Heartbreaking Plea*
Peter's voice was barely above a whisper, his words laced with a deep sadness. He looked at
Rika, his eyes filled with a mix of admiration and despair.
"Rika, you're kind, strong, and loved by everyone," Peter said, his voice cracking. "You're
beautiful, inside and out. You have everything, and you deserve everything."
Rika's eyes welled up with tears as Peter's words washed over her. She felt a pang in her heart,
knowing that Peter didn't see his own worth.
"But me, I'm just a broken guy," Peter continued, his voice heavy with emotion. "I'm damaged
goods, Rika. I'm not worthy of your love. You can't be happy with me. You deserve a better
person than me."
Rika's face contorted in anguish, her eyes pleading with Peter to stop. But he continued, his
words pouring out like a confession.
"You have to leave me, Rika. Please, let me go. I'm not good for you. I'll only bring you pain and
suffering. You deserve so much better than me."
Rika's tears flowed freely now, her heart breaking for the broken man in front of her. She knew
that Peter's words were rooted in his deep-seated insecurity and self-doubt.
But she also knew that she couldn't let him go. Not now, not ever. She loved Peter, brokenness
and all. And she was determined to prove it to him.