My Brother Became a Vegetable To Save Me Novel by NANCY ROWSE

I followed my brother into Mom’s study. It was my first time stepping foot in there. Mom, known as Mrs. Brown, a prominent lawyer in Anchorage, had never lost a case.

Seeing Lucas, a smile spread across her face. “Why aren’t you asleep yet? Not used to it?” He shook his head. “Mom, is my sister still working at her old company? I want to visit tomorrow, and don’t forget to get me a phone.”

Mom’s expression faltered, and she fell silent for a moment. “Now that you’re feeling better, I checked–she’ll be back in a few days.”

I stood nearby, a self–deprecating smile crossing my lips. After all these years, my parents didn’t even know the name of my company or where I lived. Who could I even ask?

Lucas nodded and turned to leave the study. Mom continued flipping through the documents in her hands, each photograph revealing skeletal remains stripped of flesh. Though incomplete, it was still clear they were human. Mom’s brow furrowed tightly, visibly shaken by the cruelty of the crime. Even so, she took on the case.

I couldn’t help but wonder. if she knew her client was the very person who had killed his own daughter, how would she feel?

Dad walked into the study holding a glass of milk. He glanced at the photo on the table, then quickly looked away. “Quinn, do you really want to take this case? Isn’t it true that the victim’s identity hasn’t been confirmed yet? How can someone plead guilty?” Mom took the milk and sipped it. “Who can truly understand the mind of a killer?”

“This girl is truly unfortunate. I can’t believe her parents didn’t notice she was missing for so long,” Dad said, his voice tinged with concern as he seemed to empathize with the victim.

He looked at Mom and added, “This case is all but settled; the killer turned himself in. There’s no going back now.”

Mom smiled confidently, saying nothing more. Everything seemed to be under her control.

When I was younger, Mom often appeared on television, claiming she became a lawyer to uphold justice. But in the face of acclaim, fame, and money, she seemed to have changed. She became selfish and vain, willing to do anything to win a case.

She couldn’t accept any negative feedback, especially not from her own children. That’s why she despised the ordinary me so much.

I nestled against Mom’s shoulder and calmly asked, “Mom, they say a mother and child share a bond. Didn’t you feel how much pain I was in?”