Chapter 1
On my coming-of-age day, I spent all night ironing my dress, but never even got to wear it.
My two brothers brought home a sixteen-year-old orphan, the child of someone who had once done our family a favor. From now on, she was family.
She shattered the only celadon vase my mom left me.
And then she threw herself into my eldest brother's arms, crying. "Ethan, Sophia pushed me"
Ethan slapped me hard across the left cheek.
The crack was loud, like a bone breaking.
My second brother, Michael, jabbed a finger at the door, his veins popping. "Get out. Don't ever come back!"
I didn't cry.
Carrying my suitcase, I stepped out into the storm.
They thought I was just throwing a tantrum and would be back in a few days.
Finally having some peace and quiet, they took the orphan and flew off to Norlantis.
They went to see the auroras I'd been dreaming about for ten years.
Twenty-three days later, when they got back, they found out—
My phone number had been canceled.
My room was completely emptied out.
The school said I'd dropped out.
On my desk, there was a letter with just three lines:
[Ethan, Michael, I've signed a five-year secluded medical research contract.
[Don't look for me.
[You have Josie now. You don't need me anymore.]
*****
My name is Sophia Shaw.
Today is my eighteenth birthday.
I officially become an adult.
I woke up at four in the morning, tossing and turning, unable to sleep. I got up and ironed my pale yellow dress again.
I'd scraped together three months of tutoring cash just to buy this dress.
It wasn't pricey, but it was cute as hell.
I checked myself out in the mirror, but something still felt off.
I tried wearing my hair down, then up, then down again, still not satisfied.
In the end, I just tied my hair into a ponytail.
Ethan always said a ponytail looked neat and tidy, just like Mom used to when she was young.
The thought of him made me smile.
My eldest brother, Ethan Shaw, was twenty-eight.
Ten years ago, our parents died in a car crash. He was just eighteen, but he took over the whole Shaw family business and raised Michael and me on his own.
He never smiled, always wore a scowl, and everyone was terrified of him.
But every year on my birthday, he'd always come home, no matter what.
He'd drop everything, even the busiest meetings.
He'd cook me a bowl of birthday noodles with two sunny-side-up eggs, then, with his usual serious look, and said, "Eat."
That was all he'd say.
No matter what, the broth always tasted exactly how I liked it.
My second brother, Michael Shaw, was twenty-five. He's got a temper and never holds back his words.
But ever since we were kids, he'd always carry my backpack for me, and on rainy days, he'd hold the umbrella over my head and end up drenched himself.
He'd call me a "little troublemaker," but if anyone dared to talk smack about me, he'd hunt them down and make them regret it.
This was home.
It wasn't perfect, but it was the only thing I could count on.
I hung up my dress and tiptoed into the living room.
Andrew Sutton was already busy in the kitchen.
"Miss Sophia, happy birthday," Andrew said with a warm smile, handing me a cup of milk. "Mr. Ethan Shaw said he'll be home early tonight to cook you noodles himself."
I took the cup and nodded.
My heart fluttered with excitement.
Eighteen, finally.
I'm officially an adult now.
There's something I really want to tell Ethan.
The Institute for High-Altitude Medicine sent me an invitation.
It's a secluded medical research project.
A five-year commitment.
Way out in the Rheinsville Wilderness Area, no cell signal, no internet, and once I sign up, there's no quitting halfway.
This is one of the best gigs in the country, and they only pick six undergrads nationwide.
And I got in.
But deep down, I didn't want to go.
I couldn't bear to leave Ethan and Michael behind.
I just wanted to stay with them.
So I'd already decided. I'd say no to the spot tonight.
Then I'd just breeze through college, land a job at a hospital nearby, and never leave home.
That was my plan.
I thought it would be an ordinary birthday.
But then, at six in the evening, the front door opened.
Ethan walked in.
Michael followed right behind him.
And behind Michael, there was a skinny little girl, peeking out timidly.
She wore a faded cotton dress, her hair dull and yellowed. She stood at the doorway, eyes red and swollen, looking fragile enough to break.
I froze in place.
"Ethan?" I called out.
Ethan took off his coat and handed it to Andrew, his tone flat. "This is Josie Lane, Mr. Lane's daughter."
Mr. Lane.
Alex Lane.
I knew him.
Ten years ago, during that car accident, my parents' car went off the road and into a ravine. Alex happened to be passing by and jumped in to save them.
But they didn't make it.
Alex lost his life that day, too.
Ethan always said we owed the Lanes a life.