With the mystery deepening, I stumbled out of the police station, feeling utterly lost.

Along the way, people recognized me and started throwing trash at me.

"You bastard! How dare you even show your face out here!"

"Scum!"

"Go to hell!"

I quickly shielded my head with my clothes and ran off, completely humiliated.

I found a corner to hide in and began to replay everything that had happened that day.

I was sure that I hadn't done anything unforgivable, but suddenly, it felt like everyone had turned against me for no reason.

If it wasn't because of an AI face-swap, then there was only one answer left—that old lady was the problem!

Just as I reached this conclusion, the detective called. "We've dug into the old lady. She's just a regular old lady. You can rest easy. There's nothing suspicious about her."

I hung up the phone in disbelief.

Since things were at a standstill once again, I decided to go home. My only escape from this mess was my parents.

I hadn't helped the old lady this time, and I was clearly injured. My parents, who loved me so much, should be able to listen to my side of the story. Maybe they could help me figure this out.

I hurriedly went to my parents' house.

When I rang the doorbell and saw Dad open the door, I felt a glimmer of hope. "Dad—"

Before I could finish speaking, his expression darkened. He pointed a finger right at my nose and yelled, "You bastard! How dare you come back here! Why are you even still alive!"

Mom came over after hearing the noise. Without saying a single word, she slapped me across the face, as though I were her enemy. "If I had known this would happen, I would've smothered you when you were born!"

Even though I had prepared myself mentally, facing their undisguised hatred and disgust again made my heart ache.

I covered my burning face and immediately fell to my knees, pleading, "Mom, Dad, I'm just asking for the truth. Please, for the sake of all the love you once gave me, just tell me what I did wrong."

But all I got in response was more anger.

"You still don't know what you've done wrong?"

"You don't deserve to live in this world!"

After they finished yelling, Mom grabbed a broom, and Dad picked up a shoehorn. They started hitting me mercilessly.

These were the same parents who would have been devastated if I lost a single hair. Now, even seeing the blood seeping from my arm, they turned a blind eye and deliberately struck the injured spots.

I was numb with pain.

But no matter how much I begged, even when I hit my head until it bled or cried myself dry, my parents remained silent, unwilling to say a single word of truth.

What could be the reason that made everyone, even my own flesh and blood, hate me so much and refuse to speak up?

I didn't understand it. I truly didn't.

Just then, something flashed through my mind. It was like a sudden revelation.

I got it!

It was such a ridiculous and absurd reason!