Chapter 6 — Eight Unworthy Lives

Gradually, in the repetition of everyday life, I began to see my own value. I'm no longer the same as before, always feeling like I don't deserve anything. Sometimes I still remember things from the past. But gradually, those images were separated by a layer of fog. The psychiatrist has been with me for a very long time. He doesn't talk much. Each time, he quietly listened to me, occasionally asking a question or two, just in time. I step by step step out of the darkness of the past. Finally the day has come to say goodbye. He stood up and gathered the documents on the table. I was thinking he would just like always, say “see you next week”. But he reached out and took off the mask he always wore on his face. Behind the mask is the butler's face. I stood there stunned, looking at him. He smiled at me, gently and firmly: "You did it." I opened my mouth, suddenly feeling that this voice was a bit familiar. During that fire, that vague figure once asked me: "If after eight tries, you discover that your family doesn't love you as much as you thought, what would you do?" I was only seven years old at that time, I didn't understand the meaning of his words, but still answered: "Then I will live my own life." I looked at his face. It took a long time for me to find my voice again: "Thank you for helping me see everything clearly, helping me understand that people can only rely on themselves." He shook his head and did not say more. He just looked at me, then turned and walked towards the door. The figure turned at the end of the hallway, disappearing into the light. I know we will never see each other again. But it's okay. I've done it. This time, I finally have a life that truly belongs to me.