Chapter 8

Selena ignored everyone and returned to the attic—her own small space—where she tended to her wounds alone.

After finishing everything, she lay on the bed and stared blankly at the night sky that was soaked in darkness.

She wanted time to pass faster.

She wanted to leave this cold-blooded family as soon as possible.

-

Over the next three days, the Carter family busied themselves with preparations for Vanessa's college admission banquet.

Zachary truly adored her. He even announced his plans to formally adopt her, saying she was a hundred times better than his own daughter.

On the day of the banquet, even Zachary, who had never once attended a parent-teacher meeting for Selena, dressed up in an expensive custom-made suit.

No one came to invite Selena.

It was as if everyone had forgotten she even existed in this house.

Right before they left, Vanessa knocked on the attic door. Gone was the usual timid, obedient look on her face.

"Selena, get on your knees and beg me. I can make Dad forgive you."

Seeing Selena remain indifferent, Vanessa smirked.

"You know, you're better than me in every way, but the one thing you lack is the ability to calm your ego and fawn over others.

"That's why you can only stand by and watch as I take your lover, your family, and even your patent away from you.

"I truly wonder, why are you even still alive? You're living like a stray dog. Do you actually find that fun? Hahaha!"

Vanessa said a lot. She wasn't afraid of these words getting out. No one would believe anything Selena said now.

It wasn't until Ryan called for her that Vanessa finally left, heading off with the Carter family to the banquet.

After Vanessa left, Selena reached under her bed and retrieved a running voice recorder.

She pressed a button to stop the recording.

Today was the day she would leave this city. Before she left, she wanted the Carter family to see just what kind of wicked person Vanessa was.

Thirty minutes later, a car from the National Medical Research Institute arrived.

Seeing that Selena had only brought along her mother's portrait, the staff member looked surprised.

"We're leaving now. Are you sure you don't need to pack anything else?"

"I'm sure."

She hugged the portrait tightly and nodded. Other than the portrait, there was nothing else she wanted to take with her.

After arriving at the airport, Selena sat in the waiting lounge and basked in the warmth of the sunlight.

This was the beginning of her new life.

Just then, Ian called.

Yesterday, he had gone back to the restaurant and checked the surveillance footage. Only then had he realized that Vanessa had thrown herself into the glass. It had had nothing to do with Selena.

"Let's meet after the banquet. I went too far with my words that day, and I want to apologize.

"By the way, I missed your birthday. I was too busy and forgot. I got you a present to make up for it."

He wasn't worried that Selena would reject him. He knew her too well. In the past, no matter how he upset her, as long as he coaxed her, she would always come back to him without exception.

But this time, Selena remained completely silent.

The eerie silence made Ian's heart clench with unease.

Just then, the boarding announcement echoed through the terminal.

Ian's face turned pale as he heard it through the phone.

"Wait, what was that sound? Where are you right now?"

Selena hung up the call, took out her phone chip, and snapped it between her fingers.

The person she was now would no longer be swayed by false affections.

Whether it was her father, her brother, or the childhood friend she once loved, she no longer wanted to see any of them.

With that thought, she turned and walked away.

She never looked back.