5

It's okay, it's okay.

Soon I wouldn't see them again, wouldn't disturb their perfect little family with Willow anymore.

I returned to school, moved into the dormitory, and continued perfecting my herbal research notes.

The next day, while heading to the library with Derek, I ran into Axel and Ryker.

I pretended not to see them, found a seat, opened my notebook, and continued writing word by word.

Willow dragged them to sit not far from me.

I could hear the girl's giggling voice from time to time.

Axel and Ryker patted her head: "Be good now. In a few days, we'll be off to the Caribbean."

Hearing their words made it hard for me to breathe, so I got up and went for a drink of water.

When I returned, my notebook was in Willow's hands.

Axel and Ryker had gone to get books from the shelves.

Willow was alone, tearing pages from my notebook.

Alarm bells rang in my head as I rushed forward and snatched the notebook from her hands.

She immediately threw herself dramatically to the floor, hitting her forehead on a chair, and screamed out in pain.

Students in the library turned to look at us.

With trembling hands, I opened my notebook.

Five years of herbal research notes—all torn to shreds. Most pieces were wet, the writing blurred beyond recognition.

On the only page that remained intact, she had drawn a crude smiley face with a marker.

That face grinned at me with bared teeth, menacing and mocking.

My mind buzzed with white noise.

Then Axel rushed over, immediately demanding without investigating:

"Ember, why did you push Willow?!"

Ryker helped Willow to her feet, his face darkened with anger.

More and more people gathered around us.

Derek, who had been browsing bookshelves, hurried over.

He looked at my notebook screen, then at my expression, and quickly understood.

"Your notes were torn up?!"

Axel's angry expression froze as he approached and looked at my notebook.

After a long moment, he frowned: "This can't be possible. Willow wouldn't..."

"Let's go," I said calmly to Derek, not waiting for Axel to finish.

How strange.

I should have been furious. I should have lost control like countless times before, screaming at Willow or even striking her.

Then I should have fought bitterly with Axel and Ryker as they defended and indulged her.

But in this moment, I only wanted to leave.

I had argued with them for four years.

Four years of countless arguments, always with the same result.

Now, I didn't want to fight anymore.

In a few days, I'd be gone anyway.

I picked up my ruined notebook and walked out of the library.

Behind me, Axel followed.

I heard his voice, cold as usual, but with a hint of discomfort:

"Give me the notebook. I'll try to restore it for you."

I replied flatly: "Don't bother."

I was leaving soon anyway. The notebook had been meant for Ryker, who had once shown interest in herbal medicine.

I walked toward the end of the hallway.

Something seemed to have suddenly come over Axel.

This man who hadn't wanted to speak a single word to me in years suddenly caught up and grabbed my arm.

"Ember, what's... what's going on with you lately?"

His voice carried a trace of anxiety.

But I didn't turn around.

I just reached out and gently removed his hand.

We stood in silence for a while until he spoke again: "Willow is just young.

"If she really did tear it up, it couldn't have been intentional."

So that was it—he was afraid I would resent Willow and push her down the stairs again in anger?

And here I thought that, just this once, he might be willing to take my side.

I felt the corner of my mouth twitch, amused by my own foolishness.

I walked into the elevator and pressed the button to close the doors.

That heart that had always refused to give up now finally grew calm, turning into still waters that no longer rippled.

Somehow, I didn't feel sad anymore.

As the elevator doors closed, I said softly: "It's fine. Don't worry about it."

Ryker rushed forward, perhaps trying to stop the closing doors, but it was too late.

In my final glimpse, I thought I saw panic and confusion rising in his eyes.

Before leaving, I checked my luggage one last time.

At noon, Derek invited me to lunch to discuss the silver poisoning research project.

As we left the restaurant, Ryker suddenly called me.

I answered, but he remained silent for a long moment.

Thinking he might have called by accident, I was about to hang up when he finally spoke: "When are you coming home?"

I was taken aback.

I couldn't help but wonder if he had meant to call Willow instead.

Still, I replied: "I'm busy at school lately, so I won't be coming back."

Ryker persisted: "What about tonight?"

I didn't understand his sudden interest.

But I made up an excuse anyway: "I have plans with classmates tonight."

Another long silence followed.

After a while, he awkwardly continued: "Today is Axel's and my birthday."

I was momentarily speechless.

For many years, I had been the one planning their birthdays.

Buying cakes, booking venues, selecting gifts months in advance.

But this year...

Derek grabbed my phone and said, "Ember prepared birthday gifts for you both. You'll see them when you get home."

I looked at Derek in surprise as he winked at me.

He explained that he had sent Axel and Ryker a package containing proof of my acceptance into the fifteen-year isolation project, along with recordings of the orphanage director confirming Willow's identity fraud.

I laughed softly and shook my head. Whether they believed it or not, I no longer cared.

I picked up my packed suitcase and booked the next available flight.

I left school and went to the airport with Derek.

As the plane climbed to thirty thousand feet, everything in North City gradually disappeared from view.