Chapter 4

After that day, Andrew acted like I didn't exist anymore.

Samuel stopped giving me rides and bringing me lunch.

My parents acted like I wasn't there.

I was nothing but a ghost in this house, like I didn't exist.

Until one day, Mom finally came looking for me. "Lily said she dreamed last night that you tore up her admission ticket at the school gate and messed up her SATs. She's terrified now."

Her gaze landed on me.

There wasn't a trace of warmth in her eyes.

"Charlotte, move out for now. Don't take the SATs this time, and stay away from school. Let Lily focus on her test without any distractions," she said. "You can always try again next year."

My breath caught in my throat.

There were only three days left until the SATs.

All because of a dream Lily had, they were actually asking me to give up everything for her.

I felt completely numb inside.

I couldn't feel the pain anymore.

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes.

After a long moment, I finally found my voice. "I understand."

I packed my things and headed downstairs.

When I reached the door, I ran into Andrew and Samuel.

I didn't stop; I kept moving, dragging my suitcase as I brushed past them.

"Charlotte," Samuel called after me. "If you take these few days to think things over and make sure you don't hurt Lily anymore, I'll help you come back home after the exams."

Andrew chimed in, "I'll set you up with a good cram school and help you prep for next year's exam."

I didn't look back.

I kept walking, dragging my suitcase, and slipped right into the car.

When we reached the apartment building, the driver, Luke, grabbed my suitcase from the trunk. "Ms. Goodwin, let me help you upstairs."

But then, his phone started ringing.

After he hung up, Luke looked at me with an apologetic expression.

I gave him a small smile. "Don't worry about me. I'll be fine on my own."

Luke bowed slightly, then hurried off in the car.

I stood there for a long time.

At last, I glanced back at the apartment building.

This wasn't my home.

I didn't belong here, either.

I turned and walked to the curb, hailing a cab. "To the airport, please."

*****

The final exam was finally over.

As soon as Lily, Andrew, and Samuel walked out, Liam Goodwin and Coco Goodwin hurried over to greet them.

"Lily, how did it go?" Coco asked.

Lily smiled as she linked arms with Coco. "Not bad."

"Mom, Dad, now that Lily's finished her exams, why don't we go pick up Charlotte and bring her home?" Samuel suggested.

Charlotte had kept to herself these past few days, staying away from the SATs hall so Lily wouldn't be distracted.

Samuel figured she'd had plenty of time to reflect by now.

After all, he'd promised that if Charlotte stopped hurting Lily, he'd talk their parents into letting me come home.

Besides, Charlotte had saved his life when he had that asthma attack.

In the end, he couldn't help but go soft.

But Lily's smile stiffened for a moment.

She glanced at Samuel, then at their parents, before quickly returning to her usual innocent smile.

"Samuel's right. I feel terrible that my dream made Charlotte miss out on the exam. I think I should be the one to go pick her up myself," she said.

Samuel looked pleased and affectionately ruffled her hair.

Coco smiled and nodded. "Lily, you're always so thoughtful."

"Alright, let's do it Lily's way." Liam agreed.

"I'll come with you." Andrew got in the car with them.

On the way, Samuel called Charlotte, hoping she'd pack up and get ready to come home.

But the call went unanswered, and none of his messages got a reply.

When they got to the apartment, they knocked, but nobody answered.

Luckily, Samuel had been there before and remembered the passcode.

But as soon as he opened the door, everyone was stunned.

The apartment was deserted.