Before I could finish, James started arguing back, showing no concern for our mother.
I felt completely betrayed like James was a stranger.
When he first mentioned Sophia, my mother and I thought he had just made a new friend who was helping him out. We never imagined he would be so cold-hearted towards our mother for the sake of someone else.
"James! Mom was already in critical condition! You're inhuman. You let Sophia's presence cause Mom's death!"
My heart shattered as I looked at Mom covered by a white sheet. I wished I could have gone with her.
"No matter how much you hate me, you can't lie about her death! Are you even human? How can you be so cruel?"
I'm the cruel one? It's James who's truly heartless!
"James, stop calling and come help me blow out the candles!" The voice on the other end was filled with festive cheer.
My heart felt like it was being squeezed dry. My rage flared as I screamed, "James, Mom's dead, and you're out celebrating someone else's birthday? You're worse than a traitor!"
"You're just trying to guilt-trip me! Dream on! Why don't you join her and die too?"
He hung up, ignoring my furious cries.