Chapter 3
Soon, a photo popped up on my screen.
It was the half-worn wooden bed in the dorm, the bedding perfectly arranged.
The pillowcase, faded from countless washes, still carried the faint scent of detergent and sunlight.
Luna texted: [Your bed's all set. Come over whenever you want.]
Looking at that simple but steady bed, I felt my nose tingle and my eyes start to sting.
But for the first time in forever, the heart I'd kept floating and restless finally settled down.
The wall clock pointed to 3 a.m., and my phone screen lit up again in the pitch-dark room.
After a few brief flashes, the ringtone I'd set just for Julian cut through the silence of my bedroom.
Julian always believed that as long as he offered me a way out, and just a touch of his big brother authority and a bit of condescending care, I would fall in line, just like I always had.
Just like all those times before, I swallowed all my frustration, all my grievances, and all my concessions, just so I could stay in this home with my brother.
I leaned back against the headboard, just quietly watching his name flash on the screen.
It kept blinking until it finally faded away, unanswered.
I didn't even have the strength to lift my hand and pick up the phone.
My finger twitched, and I pressed the decline button.
For the first time in five years, I didn't answer.
The next evening, the setting sun cast long shadows across the mahogany floor of the study.
I was crouched on the floor, packing old books into a cardboard box, when the door suddenly swung open.
Julian walked in, still looking every bit the businessman, his workday vibe lingering around him.
He casually pushed a black gold card across the table toward me.
The butler, catching on, quietly closed the door behind him.
Julian pulled out the leather swivel chair across from me and sat down, his long fingers drumming lightly on the table out of habit.
"Still sulking?" he asked.
He let out a sigh, his tone full of that helpless patience he always showed toward his childish little sister.
He said, "Here, take this card. Get yourself whatever you want.
"If you feel like you've been wronged, just name your price. Tell me what you think will make it up to you."
I didn't even bother looking at the card. I just kept stacking the books, calm as ever.
"I don't need any compensation, Julian," I said.
I stood up and brushed the dust off my hands.
"I'm moving out tomorrow," I said.
The tapping of his fingers on the table stopped abruptly.
Julian frowned, leaning forward slightly.
He looked at me like I'd lost my mind.
He scoffed, "All this over a crown?
"Chloe's an orphan, you know she's always felt anxious and out of place. Last night was her first time at a fancy event like this.
"You're the rightful heiress of the Sinchair family. Would it really hurt to be gracious and let her have this?"
I didn't snap back at him, all emotional like I used to.
I just opened the drawer, pulled out a neatly organized stack of printed papers, and gently slid them across the table to him.
"It's not just about the crown," I said.
I looked at all those words on the paper, my voice barely more than a sigh.
I continued, "Five years ago, you filled in Chloe's name on the trust fund Grandpa left for me.
"Back in ninth grade, I stayed up night after night putting together everything for that top school recommendation, and you just gave it all to her.
"I could've let all that go.
"But Julian, last year when you had a high fever and your stomach was bleeding, I spent three nights at the hospital learning how to make soup for you.
"But you just gave it to Chloe because she said she was hungry.
"And then there's the pearl necklace set, Mom's most precious keepsake she left just for me.
"You knew I always kept it under my pillow, even when I slept, but you still took it and put it around Chloe's neck, just because she wanted something fancy to wear to a party."
Julian's face shifted, his jaw clenched tight.
He tried to act reasonable. "Come on, that jewelry was so old-fashioned. If Chloe wore it out, she'd just get mocked.
"And anyway, didn't I send you double the money afterwards?"
I looked at his face, so entitled, and slowly loosened my grip on the stack of papers.
That jewelry was my most treasured keepsake; he was the one who put it on me himself, telling me it would always remind me that Mom was watching over me.
But now, to him, it was just another thing he could write off with cash, nothing more than a possession he could buy away with double the money.
Even that old scar in my heart, the one that kept reopening, felt numb now, too tired to hurt anymore.
Seeing me stay silent, Julian stood up and gave me that look of disappointment.
He said, "Melody, when did you get so hung up on every little thing?
"I'm taking care of Chloe for the sake of the family. She came here with nothing, and you already have everything.
"Why can't you just be the bigger person for once?"
"For the sake of the family" I quietly repeated those words, feeling a deep exhaustion wash over me.
There was no sarcasm, no accusation in my voice.