Chapter 4

The interior of the train smelled like a mixture of coffee and sweat.

I leaned against the window and watched as the scenery outside flew by in a blur of colors. Warreno was very far away. The train ride would last more than 30 hours.

My phone remained silent since I had blocked everyone. I only checked my messages the next afternoon.

Hannah had uploaded a few photos in the family group chat. They had taken photos in front of Borealin's airport.

Connor was dressed in a brand new trendy jacket. He was also carrying the limited-edition black suitcase. He was smiling sweetly in the photo. Isabelle stood next to him, carrying his coat. She had a gentle look in her eyes.

Hannah tagged me in the group.

"Where are you, Xavier? Isabelle said that she told you to take the high-speed rail here by yourself. Don't dawdle when you're on the road. Send us your location after you've arrived at Borealin station. Isabelle will pick you up."

My finger hovered over the screen for a few moments as I stared at the messages. I then left the group chat.

…

The train finally arrived in Warreno at 8:00 pm. A gust of dry wind hit me when I walked out of the station with my suitcase.

Warreno University was located in the suburbs. Its surroundings were rather deserted. However, when I took a deep breath, I couldn't help but feel that even the air here felt free.

I received a call from an unknown number after I had settled into my dorm. When I answered, Isabelle's voice came through the receiver.

"How dare you block me, Xavier?" she demanded furiously.

It seemed that she was at the train station, considering how noisy the background was. "Where are you? I've been waiting for you at Borealin station for two hours! The high-speed rail that you were supposed to be on arrived ages ago. Where did you go?"

I sat on the hard bed and gazed at the moon beyond the window. "I didn't get on that train."

Isabelle took a deep breath, sounding as if she was doing everything that she could to stop her patience from snapping. "Which train did you get on then? Send the details to me now. Connor's still waiting to have dinner with us at the hotel."

"Isabelle," I said, interrupting her. "I'm not going to Borealin."

Isabelle fell deathly silent on the other end of the line. Her voice was colored with disbelief when she finally spoke a few seconds later. "What did you say?"

"I said that I'm not going to Borealin," I repeated calmly. "I've already arrived at Warreno University. I'll be attending classes here from now on."

"Have you lost your mind?" Isabelle snapped as she finally lost control, her voice sounding extra loud in the empty train station. "Warreno is on the edge of the desert. Are you really going to throw your future away just because you want to spite me?"

"I'm not trying to spite you," I said, switching my phone to my other hand. "Warreno University has the major and research lab that I want. Also, all of you aren't here."

"Xavier Sayles!" Isabelle gritted out. "Do you think that my heart will soften if you act this way? If you buy a plane ticket and fly to Borealin right now, I can still pretend that none of this happened!"

I laughed. "Don't you get it yet, Isabelle? I've already removed myself from the family registry."

Isabelle's breath hitched on the other end of the line. "What did you say?"

"I said that I'm no longer part of the Sayle family," I said softly as I looked at the weathered walls of the dorm. "Whether I'm alive or dead is none of your concern anymore."

I hung up and turned my phone off before she could respond.

The sandy wind howled as it billowed past the window.

I covered myself with the blanket that was a little stiff and turned on my side.