While still contemplating about what his sister said, apparently sh has not finished as she continued.
"But you know how the bed was never removed, and to this day, I remember how the blanket and sheets was changed every now and then."
"At that time, I thought there was no problem and didn't pay much attention. I assumed the issues started later when Father began cheating and got caught. But maybe I were wrong, and the problems actually began back then."
"But after thinking more, it might have even started before that. Mother got married when she was just 16, to the son of one of her father's subordinates, who was 27 years old at the time."
"Ellis, we're not questioning it because we've gotten used to it. And it happens a lot in our society and country."
"But a difference of 11 years—marrying at the age of 16, regardless of how common it might be in our country and society—is it really normal?"
Hearing everything his sister said, and with a somber mind Ellis began to question whether he had been indifferent to his family's issues. He knew they had many problems, but they still lived normally, were they really that severe? His father seemed even more of a scumbag than he had thought.
Should he talk to his father before making any judgments? But these are facts that can't be changed.
They say blood is thicker than water, and you can't hate your family. Ellis thought it was true because, despite everything that had happened, he couldn't bring himself to hate his father with all his gut.
But was he wrong? Just like his sister said and questioned, maybe everything was problematic from the start.
Trying to calm down and think more objectively, Ellis reconsidered what his sister had said. He didn't know his grandfather on his father's side, as he had died very early, but he had heard that he was patriotic and also someone who adhere to tradition a lot. Now, being reminded that he was the subordinate of his other grandfather, Ellis realized that he too might have played a role in what happened. But then?
'something is missing!'
'The bed! If they had to stay married but didn't want to sleep together, was it there for that reason?'
Now, thinking back, Ellis remembered that when his Father was caught cheating on his Mother for the second time, his grandfather came to their house and they talked alone. While he didn't know the details of their discussion, after his grandfather left, his Mother, who had wanted a divorce, decided to stay for the sake of her children—especially since they were still young. She didn't want to deprive them of having both parents around.
Assuming his mother lied and they stayed together because of his grandfather, but why was there a talk of divorce in the first place?
Ellis felt something was missing again, but the responsibility was at his father anyway, not his mother.
As he couldn't come to any conclusions through just analysis and deduction, Ellis was reminded of another problem.
"Then why the fuck is Denis staying with Father? Maybe Mother has some issues, but after thinking for just a moment, it's clear most of the blame falls on Father. So why is he with him?"
"I was thinking the same thing and went to ask him that exact question. But he refused to answer and then went to Father's side."
"Fuck," cursing and trying to stay calm. Ellis felt like a pile of problems are coming at him, he started this subject in order to tell his sister about the situation with his mother, so he needed to confess and tell her what had happened exactly. But after hearing what she said, he didn't feel like taking a roundabout way anymore.
"Sister"
"Yes?"
"Actually mother confessed to me."
"Really? She told you what happened?"
Seeing how his sister didn't even consider that he might have meant it romantically. Ellis after closing his eyes, said again.
" I mean, she said that she love me."
Looking at his sister carefully as he said that, Ellis noticed her eyes, which had dried after she cried a little before, starting to well up with tears again. Panicking and not wanting to make her cry, he spoke gently again.
"Don't worry, nothing has happened yet, and your opinion is very important to me. If you don't give your consent, I won't do anything with Mother."
Seeing her tears fall and her crying grow even harder, Ellis didn't know what he had said wrong.
"Brother, do you really think I don't know you? My opinion is very important? Do you really think you're talking to a child? Who do you think you're trying to deceive with your words!"
"Brother, even though I know I'm very precious to you, I also know that my opinion wouldn't really have mattered. You're asking for it, but whether I give my consent or not, you'll just find some way to get it eventually. My opinion wouldn't change anything; It would just make the development of things somewhat slower."
"You'll try not to make me sad, I know. You'll even try to make me happy. But when it comes to something really important, has my opinion ever changed anything?"
Looking at his sister's red, tear-streaked eyes and hearing her angry shouts, along with the facts she was throwing at him—facts she had never mentioned before—Ellis felt cornered a bit but still replied back.
"Clara, you haven't even given me your answer yet. And I've always tried to be understanding and considerate towards you, but do you really think that delaying your response hasn't had any effect? My heart felt empty when you stopped talking to me, and I felt hollow inside. Now that you're beside me, it's a little better, but it doesn't erase what happened or change the fact that I'm still waiting."
Looking at her brother, Clara feeling jealous and hurt, exploded and said.
"Don't try to play the victim here. Empty space in your heart?!!! Do you really think that I, or even with Mother, am capable of filling that empty heart of yours?"