The Neglected Son

My soul drifted to my mother’s side in the last moments of my life.

She sat beside my younger brother Noah Walker’s hospital bed, her face etched with worry as she whispered, "Noah, please don’t scare me like this. Wake up, okay?"

My father stood nearby, his expression dark with fury. "If Liam had done his job and protected him, Noah wouldn’t be lying here! Just wait—I’ll make him pay for this!"

I watched from the shadows, bitterness swelling in my chest.

“No need, Dad. I’m already almost gone. Not that any of you would care.”

The doctors clustered around Noah’s bed, their voices low.

After confirming his injuries were minor—nothing but scrapes—one of the older doctors finally spoke up. “Ms. Walker, should we check on Liam? His condition after the crash seemed… severe.”

Mom’s gentle demeanor vanished. Disgust twisted her features. “What is he trying to pull now? Faking it again? After what he did to his brother?”

I stared, stunned. Even with my heart stilled, it ached with a fresh, sharp pain.

I was her son, too. Did she really not care?

Suddenly, Mom snatched her phone and dialed my number.

A nurse held the device to my ear. Instead of concern, I heard only contempt.

“Liam Walker, when are you getting out of that bed to apologize to your brother?”

My heart turned to ice. The last flicker of hope inside me died.

Of course. She never cared.

When I first arrived at the hospital, I’d begged her to help me. Her response was cold. “Must you always fight for attention? Your brother could have broken a bone.”

Then she turned away, leading the medical team to Noah’s room.

She never had any love for me.

The nurse, unable to stay silent, spoke softly into the phone. “Ms. Walker, Liam… he doesn’t have much time.”

Mom laughed mockingly. “How much did that brat pay you to play along? I can’t believe he’d go this far.”

Just then, Noah—who’d been pretending to be unconscious—stirred. He feigned weakness. “Mom, Dad… is Liam okay?”

Mom’s face twisted with deeper contempt. “Liam, why can’t you be more like your brother? He’s hurt because of you, and he still worries about you.”