Chapter 3

"I received my acceptance—"

"Forget it. You're probably trying to run away from home again. I won't even bother with you this time," Cole interrupted impatiently.

What I was about to say was instantly caught in my throat.

Whatever. He didn't care about me anyway. Once I was gone in a few days, he would naturally find out everything.

As I tightened my grip on my clothes, I made up an excuse on the spot. "I promised my classmates that I'd go to town with them in a few days, so I'm just packing first."

Hearing my answer, his expression softened a little. "I came to tell you that I'll be taking Jenny to the market tomorrow, so you don't have to wait for us for lunch."

With that, he turned and left.

…

The next day, they only came back as the sun began to set.

With a snack in her hand, Jennifer ate as she walked. Cole was right behind her, carrying several large bags. They came into the house chatting merrily.

"Kate, Cole bought me a lot of new stuff." Jennifer deliberately showed off the things in front of me.

I flashed her a nonchalant smile and continued what I was doing, trying to look busy.

After dinner, as I was putting the dishes away, I noticed the bracelet Cole had bought me was missing. I turned just in time to see Jennifer hurling my bracelet onto the floor. It shattered into pieces.

Enraged, I shoved her to the ground, shooting her a sharp glare. "Jennifer, what's your problem?"

Sitting on the floor, Jennifer broke down in aggrieved sobs.

Cole rushed in upon hearing the noise and immediately scolded me without asking what happened. "Kate, why are you picking on her again?"

I bit my lip as anger and helplessness overwhelmed me. "She destroyed my bracelet! It was the gift you had given me right after you got your first paycheck…"

Cole's furious expression froze on his face, but he still reflexively jumped to Jennifer's defense in the end. "There's no way Jenny did it on purpose. I'll buy you a new one some other day—"

"Forget it," I interrupted.

Jennifer looked pitiful on the floor, crying with reddened eyes. "Cole, I didn't mean to. It just slipped from my hand… It's all my fault for being so clumsy."

Just a single tear from her, and Cole would waver and choose to believe every word she said.

This exact situation had played out countless times over the past year. Ever since I saw her with Harris, Jennifer had done everything to drive a wedge between Cole and me, clearly trying to drive me out of the house.

Alas, I didn't feel like explaining myself anymore.

Unexpectedly, later that night, Cole knocked on my door.

"You like candied fruit, right? I bought this for you at the market today."

He stuffed a bag of candied fruit into my hand, his cold face showing a hint of awkwardness.

"Don't take what happened today to heart. Jenny didn't do it intentionally. And about the job that was originally yours, you'll need to sign this to officially give your job to Jenny."

The smile that had just appeared on my face immediately faded. So, he was just being nice to me for Jennifer's sake.

"Okay." I nodded and signed the document.

Right after he left, I threw the bag of candied fruit into the trash. Along with it went the last bit of hope I had for him.

…

The day before I left, I specifically told Cole to come home early from work, as I would be waiting for him with the food I had made. I figured we should have one last meal together before I left.

Yet, after waiting late into the night, he never showed. There was no sign of Jennifer, either.

Worried something had happened to Cole, I grabbed a flashlight and went to the factory to look for him.

The security guard at the door was surprised to see me. "Aren't you Cole's sister? Why are you here alone? The factory made a last-minute announcement about a trip to the city today, and employees could bring their families along. Why didn't you take part?"

That answered my questions almost instantly.

Having grown up with Cole, I knew him well. He must have kept this from me just because he was afraid Jennifer and I would quarrel and embarrass him.

Seeing me in a daze, the security guard comforted me. "Don't worry. Cole will be back tomorrow afternoon, so you'll be able to see him soon."

I wouldn't be seeing him soon—I was leaving tomorrow.

That night, I stared blankly at the table that was full of cold food as countless memories crossed my mind.

In the end, I left Cole a goodbye letter.

…

Early the next morning, with the train ticket Steve had gotten for me in hand, I boarded the train bound for Brightmoor.

Staring at the clock on the train, I reckoned Cole was probably home by now.