Chapter 5
I kept my head down, staring at the glass on the kitchen counter.
Back then, whenever I heard those words, I'd feel guilty and think I was being too greedy.
Matthew had been so good to me. I couldn't possibly ask for more.
But now, it all felt ridiculous.
He kissed me, held me in the middle of the night, and told me to wait a little longer, and he was the one I had to keep secret for two years.
It turned out keeping us hidden was his way of showing he cared.
Not admitting it was his struggle.
Calling me his sister was something I was expected to accept.
Seeing me stay silent, Regina softened her tone. "Phoebe's coming back tomorrow. Make sure you behave yourself at the dinner party.
"She's been in poor health and spent three years abroad getting better. Everyone's been thinking about her.
"You two used to play together when you were little, so don't give her attitude or make things awkward for anyone."
I asked quietly, "When have I ever made things awkward for anyone?"
Regina looked a bit taken aback by my question.
She quickly frowned. "Monica."
Her voice carried a warning.
She was telling me not to act out.
I turned down the heat and said calmly, "The medicine's almost ready. Aunt Regina, you should head out. It's stuffy in here."
Regina looked at me for a moment, then turned and left without another word.
After she left, I slowly leaned against the counter.
The sting from the hot coffee still lingered on my fingertips.
But that pain was nothing compared to the ache in my heart.
That night, after I got back to my room, I dug out the old tin box my mom had left me.
It was the only thing I brought with me when I first came to the Shelton family.
Inside, there were a few photos, a faded hairpin, and a tiny piece of a candy wrapper I'd folded up.
It was an orange candy wrapper.
Matthew gave me that candy when I was seventeen.
I'd kept it all this time.
Back then, I was surrounded by a bunch of people egging me on, and I was so embarrassed that I was left speechless.
Phoebe was sitting on the couch, her eyes curved into crescents as she laughed.
She was wearing a red sweater that day, like a burst of warmth in the coldest winter.
Everyone liked her.
The elders loved how charming and polite she was.
Her friends loved how full of life she was.
Even Selena, who never shared her favorite doll with anyone, was happy to let Phoebe play with it.
And there I was, standing in the middle of the crowd, like a dusty little bird who'd wandered into the spotlight by mistake.
Matthew spoke up for me. "Monica's shy. Don't tease her."
That moment stayed with me for years.
It wasn't until much later that I realized that when one was starved for warmth, even the smallest kindness could feel like sunlight.
I checked my phone and reread Leonard's message.
After hesitating for a long time, I finally typed out a reply.
I asked: [Where is that house?]
This time, Leonard didn't reply right away.
It wasn't until half an hour later that he finally sent me a photo.
The photo showed an old iron gate.
The house number was faded, and the corners of the wall were tangled with dead vines.
Below the house number, a few faint letters were carved into the gate.
It was the word "Richardsonlate," etched there, almost haunting.
I felt my fingers tremble.
The next message popped up right after: [No. 17, Maple Street.
[You're listed as the owner.]
I stared at those words, and before I knew it, tears were streaming down my face.
It wasn't because I felt wronged.
It was because, at that moment, I realized all at once.
Maybe I'd always had somewhere to go.
But no one ever told me.
The next day was the dinner party.
The Shelton family started bustling around in the afternoon.
Regina always took these dinner parties seriously, especially with Phoebe coming back this time. Several family friends and elders were coming over.
When I came downstairs, the living room was packed with gift boxes.
Selena was relaxing on the couch, sorting through some jewelry. When she spotted me, she said casually, "Monica, when Phoebe gets here, try to be a little more welcoming, alright?
"She's been abroad for three years and finally made it back. Don't sit there all quiet and awkward like you always do."
I gave a noncommittal "Okay."
She didn't pick up on my indifference and grabbed a pearl necklace, holding it up to her neck to see how it looked.
She asked, "Do you think this one looks better, or the diamond one I tried earlier?"
I gave it a quick look. "The pearls, I suppose."
Selena nodded, looking pleased.
She said, "Yeah, I think so too. Phoebe's always loved pearls since we were kids. She's bound to say something nice about it later."
Phoebe even managed to sway Selena's taste in jewelry.
I lowered my eyes, suddenly realizing how silly it was for me to feel this way.
Phoebe hadn't arrived yet, but everyone was already caught up in the excitement of her return.
At six in the evening, Matthew arrived.
He was holding a sleek thermal bag.
As soon as he walked in, Selena was the first to rush over. "Matt, what goodies did you bring this time?"
Matthew smiled. "Peach pies."
Selena let out an excited "Wow! Phoebe's favorite peach pies are from that famous place on the south side, right?
"They only sell a few each day. How did you even snag some?"
Matthew didn't deny it.
He quietly handed the insulated bag to the maid and instructed, "Don't bring them out until Phoebe's here. Keep them warm."
I stood by the stairs.
It suddenly struck me that a few days ago, Matt had reached out to me as well.