Chapter 4

I finished a full lap around the field and pulled the reins to slow the horse down.

Applause from the distance.

The old stable hand was leaning against the fence, nodding at me with a smile.

"Nice riding."

I was about to thank him when I looked up and saw the three of them still huddled together on the other side.

They hadn't even noticed I'd completed a lap.

The old man followed my gaze and seemed to understand something.

"All by yourself, miss?"

"Want me to have my kid ride with you? One more lap?"

"He grew up out here. Knows this place inside and out. Good rider too."

I blinked. Then shook my head with a smile.

"No thanks. I like being alone."

I took the horse and walked toward the other side of the field.

I left the ranch by myself, pulled out my phone, and called a car.

Before, I probably would have stood there calling them nonstop until I figured out where they went.

But this time, I suddenly realized that without them, I could get home just fine on my own.

My father happened to be home. When he saw me walk in alone, he looked surprised.

"Back already? Where's everyone else?"

I didn't answer. I just walked over and leaned against his shoulder.

"Dad, I want to go to the European division for a while."

"Can I?"

He barely hesitated. "Of course."

"You're young. Go see the world."

He smiled and patted my shoulder.

"As long as Victor's with you, I'm not worried."

I shook my head. "Victor's not coming."

"We're all grown up. He's got his own stuff going on."

"I can't ask him to drop everything just because I want to go."

The smile on my father's face slowly faded.

"But you've never left New York on your own."

"Europe, out of nowhere, by yourself? How am I supposed to be okay with that?"

I quickly reassured him. "I won't be totally alone. Other people from the academy are going too."

"I've already set things up with someone to travel with."

He hesitated for a long time. Finally nodded.

"Just be careful."

That evening, Victor came home.

The second he walked in, he frowned. "Lilith, we just went to grab something. Why'd you leave without saying anything?"

I was at my desk filling out the application for the European division. I didn't look up.

"Waited too long. So I left."

He seemed to sense something was off but didn't push.

After I submitted everything, I opened the family group chat.

Dozens of new messages had already piled up.

They were planning a trip to the Italian branch next week.

Who would drive. Which estate to stay in. What gear to bring. They'd even picked out which local restaurant was worth going to.

I stared at the screen for a long time, then slowly typed a message.

"You guys are going to Italy?"

The chat went quiet for two seconds. Then, from downstairs, I heard Victor swear under his breath.

The next second, he barged into my room.

"Crap. We grabbed three travel passes this afternoon."

"You weren't there. We totally forgot to save you one. Let me call the manager and get another."

Irene's voice message came through at that exact moment.

"Don't bother. There's no room left."

"All three went to us."

"It's those two idiots' fault. They were going back and forth about the route the whole time, and I completely forgot about Lilith."

The chat exploded again. I watched the arguments pile up and suddenly felt so, so tired.

"It's fine. You guys go."

"I'm not really in the mood to go anywhere lately."

Victor visibly relaxed.

"Probably better. Italy's been a mess lately. Not really your scene."

Then he smiled and added: "I'll bring you something back."

That night, I read the confirmation email from the European division over and over again.

The next day, they left for Italy. I'd booked a ticket for the same day.

Before leaving, Victor stood in the doorway giving me instructions.

"Don't touch the security system."

"Lock up at night."

"Let the staff do the cooking. Stay out of the kitchen."

Alex came down the stairs with a lazy smile.

"You keep doing the big brother thing. I'm gonna go get Irene."

Victor's face darkened for a flash, but he still followed him out.

I stood on the second floor and watched their car pull out of the estate.

I waited until the taillights disappeared completely before I turned back to my room.

A few minutes later, a black suitcase was dragged out from under my bed.

I didn't tell anyone. I didn't look back.

This time, I wasn't being left behind.

This time, I chose to leave.

Leave New York.

Leave the home I'd lived in for twenty years.

And leave the three people whose world stopped having room for me a long time ago.

I finally didn't have to keep trying to prove I was part of their family.

I didn't have to stand next to them anymore, pretending I hadn't been forgotten.

From now on, their world of three would never again have a fourth person in the way.