2

The hospital room soon returned to their happy atmosphere without me.

Willow twirled in front of the mirror, admiring her Moon Goddess dress with pure delight. Her voice was excited as she spoke:

"Last week, everyone in my class was talking about how beautiful the Caribbean seas are.

"When I grow up, I want to see them too. I'll definitely wear this dress on the beach!"

Axel stroked her head affectionately: "Why wait until you're grown? It's no big deal—we can go see it this year."

Ryker chuckled softly: "Perfect timing. Both of us have time off at the end of the year. We'll take you."

Their conversation flowed easily as they discussed travel plans. Within half an hour, they'd even booked the flights.

Willow cheered and jumped excitedly, leaping into Axel and Ryker's arms.

After a while, she seemed to suddenly remember I was still there. She tilted her head and asked me:

"Sister, do you want to come too?"

I remembered that I needed to tell Ryker and Axel about my departure. This seemed like the perfect opening.

"I can't. In a few days, I'm going to the Shadow Pack..."

Axel impatiently cut me off: "Those things aren't our concern. You don't need to tell us."

The words "I won't be coming back for fifteen years" died in my throat. I swallowed them back down.

Axel seemed to remember something and looked at me coldly:

"Willow wants to leave the hospital tomorrow.

"After her injury, caused by you, staying elsewhere isn't convenient.

"I'm planning to have the housekeeper prepare a guest room..."

Before he could finish, I spoke softly: "Let her have my room."

Axel stopped mid-sentence.

He seemed to think he'd misheard.

He stared at me for a long moment, his eyes filled with disbelief: "What?"

After a moment of stunned silence, Ryker also frowned.

Probably thinking I was being spiteful, his tone grew irritated:

"You don't need to be like this.

"I know you're petty, but once Willow's wounds heal, she can move back to her own place."

I looked at them seriously: "Let her move in.

"She's young and needs care. It's inconvenient for you both to keep running back and forth.

"Besides, I haven't spent much time at home these past few years. The master bedroom would suit her better..."

There was a loud "BANG!"

Axel had thrown his food container onto the coffee table. The sudden noise cut my words short.

His expression darkened, probably still thinking I was putting on an act.

Axel helped Willow back into the hospital bed, grabbed a storybook, and sat down beside her to read.

Just like countless times over these past years, I had once again become the awkward, unwanted presence.

I stood up and gathered my bag from the chair.

When I spoke, my throat hurt: "I'm leaving."

No one responded.

I suddenly remembered many years ago, when our parents were killed in a fire.

Axel had held me, his eyes blood-red with grief.

With that same gentle voice, he'd comforted me trembling:

"You still have your big brothers.

"As long as your brothers are here, you'll always be our little princess."

Liar.

For some reason, my nose suddenly stung with unshed tears.

I rushed back to school that night and went straight to the lab to finish an experiment I'd been working on.

I only had seven days left.

In those seven days, I needed to wrap up everything—both studies and personal matters—in North City.

I worked almost the entire night.

The next morning, after a brief nap, I returned home.

The master bedroom needed to be cleared for Willow.

The Omega servant helped me pack my things into the guest room, grumbling indignantly:

"When has the pack heir ever moved out to let an outsider have the master bedroom?"

I continued packing my books and clothes into suitcases and replied:

"It's fine. I won't be staying here much longer anyway."

Behind me, an icy voice suddenly broke the silence:

"Where exactly do you plan on going?"