Chapter 2

It was a call from someone who said he was my grandpa.

He told me he was living abroad, and if things ever got rough at home, I could always reach out to him.

At first, I thought it was just another call messing with me. Norah had played tricks like this on me more than once, and every time, I'd end up getting scolded or even smacked around.

It wasn't until my grandpa showed up himself and dragged me to get a DNA test that I finally believed him.

I asked him why he didn't go to my dad, but instead came to me, a kid who almost ended up a killer.

My grandpa was silent for a long time. He rested his hand on my head and said, "Reason sounds nuts, but here goes. Your dad and I cut ties twenty years ago; he hated my standards, and I hated his excuses."

I was confused. I asked, "So, can I meet your expectations?"

I didn't want to jump out of one mess into another.

My grandpa said, "I don't know if you'll ever meet my bar, kid, but I'm damn sure you won't carry their guilt. That load's not yours. It's just adults passing the buck."

His words lingered in my heart for a long time, but I never agreed to go with my grandpa.

I just couldn't let go of my parents, the ones who used to hug me tight and call me their only baby.

Even though now, they had someone new to dote on.

The moment I finally made up my mind was a month ago, when my parents took Norah and me to a party.

Norah was the center of attention, like a little princess, while I was just hiding in the corner.

Norah accidentally toppled the host's prized vintage, then pointed straight at me. She called out, "Clumsy Remy strikes again."

My parents knew I'd been stuck in the corner the whole time, but they still forced me to apologize to everyone and publicly shamed me in front of the whole crowd.

My mom said, "My second daughter has never known how to behave. She's always overthinking and never close to us. From now on, I won't be bringing her to events like this anymore."

Rage and humiliation surged inside me, and I finally decided to stand up for myself.

I pointed at the 360-degree camera in the corner of the hall and said, "I didn't break the wine. There's surveillance footage. Check it, and you'll see I'm telling the truth."

To my shock, my mom was the first to lash out at me.

She slapped me hard and yelled, "Remy, I always knew you were vicious, but I never thought you could be this cruel. How could I have a daughter like you? No wonder you almost got someone killed when you were a kid."

Norah just lifted her chin, looking all high and mighty, not a shred of guilt on her face. She even started fanning the flames, making things worse.

That was when it hit me: this family had no place for me anymore.

Back home, I started packing my bags to leave the country.

My grandpa sent me the flight info. The ticket was for three days from now.

Then I remembered what my mom had said at the courthouse. Three days from now was Norah's 18th birthday, and my mom told me to keep quiet and not make a scene.

Perfect. Three days and I ghosted. No more scenes, no more me.

Staring at the departure time on my ticket, I felt a wave of hope rising in my chest.

It was almost here. Soon, I'd be able to leave all this behind for good.

By 6 PM, the housekeeper still hadn't shown up. I couldn't help but text her, and she replied that my parents told her not to come this afternoon since nobody would be home.

Staring at the empty kitchen, I gave a wry smile.

I pulled out my phone, opened the food-delivery app, and followed an online tutorial. I ordered from basically every takeout place within two miles.

This was my first time ordering takeout. My parents never let me have it before, always saying it was beneath me.

But they'd secretly order it for Norah whenever she got a craving.

When the food showed up, I tore open every box and filled the whole table with takeout. Just knowing that, from now on, I could eat whatever I wanted without anyone telling me otherwise, I couldn't help but feel genuinely excited about my new life.