Chapter 2

I yelled, "James."

James came running over again.

James asked, "What's wrong, Soph?"

I pointed toward the music room. "Tell her how much my violin is worth," I said.

The moment James heard about my violin, his face went pale, and he hurried into the music room.

Picking up the violin from the floor, James examined it carefully.

James said, "Soph, it's two tiny scratches. It's really not a big deal."

I snapped back, "That violin cost 133,000 dollars. You think it's fine because you say so?"

I opened my mom's bedroom door. On the nightstand, there was a half-eaten apple, turning brown and rotting, with little bugs buzzing around it.

The place had just been renovated, and I'd only stayed here for two days.

And she'd already messed it up this badly.

I packed up my violin and walked out, tossing out a warning as I left.

"Have it back to normal by tomorrow," I said.

When I got back to my dorm and told my roommates, they totally lost it. Everyone was fuming.

"She seriously has no boundaries. Crashing at your place and wearing your pajamas? Has she got any shame at all?"

"She doesn't even bother to clean up, and she dares to touch your violin?"

"Sophie, does she think this is James's house or something?"

"Sophie, are you really thinking about moving back in?"

"Of course I'm going back. That's my home. But honestly, picturing her in my clothes really creeps me out," I replied.

The next day, I showed up with the dry cleaning staff.

As soon as I walked in, I saw her sprawled out on the couch, feet propped up on my pillow, scrolling through short videos.

I snatched the pillow and tossed it to the floor, then started hauling stuff out: the bedding from my room, the clothes from my closet, and the sheets from my mom's room, all of it went straight into the dry cleaner's bags.

I dumped all her makeup in the trash.

Emily immediately called James, bawling her eyes out and complaining. By the time James got back, the dry cleaning staff had just left.

"James, your sister bullied me." Emily sobbed against him. "You're the Foster family's only son, so this house will eventually be yours.

"What's wrong with me staying here for a few days? She even threw all my belongings outside."

I couldn't help but laugh at how ridiculous Emily's logic was.

James frowned and turned to me. "Soph, you're being way too aggressive. Emily's from the countryside. It's tough for her in Central City. This place has three bedrooms. You've got one, I've got one. What's the big deal if she stays here?"

"The music room takes up one bedroom, and the other two are for me and Mom," I shot back, locking eyes with him. "Our parents bought this place for me."

James suddenly raised his voice. "You set up that crappy music room and barely use it twice a year. Who are you even keeping it for?

"I'm the oldest. All of this will be mine one day. Emily's gonna be your sister-in-law, so you better get used to her, or you won't even have a home to come back to."

Ha. He actually thinks he's got a point.

"So what if I have a music room? This place was bought for me by Mom and Dad," I shot back.

James didn't back down.

"Dad gave me the key, too," he said.

I ran out of the house, tears streaming down my face.

With my hands shaking, I called my dad.

I poured out everything that had happened these past few days.

Dad kept comforting me. "Don't be upset, honey. I'll give your brother a piece of my mind and make him apologize to you."

Mom was already yelling at Dad on the other end.

Mom snapped, "David Foster, are you out of your mind? You gave James the key to Soph's house?"

Dad's voice was low.

Dad said quietly, "He said he'd only stay for a week. He never said he'd bring someone else along."

Mom snatched the phone from Dad.

Her voice softened. "Soph, don't be scared, okay? Just head back to your dorm tonight. I'll handle everything tomorrow."

I agreed in a muffled voice, barely holding back tears.