Chapter 4

August 25.

There was only one day left before I had to report to Jubilee City University.

The final approval for my student loan required a parent to appear in person with a photo ID and sign the paperwork.

It should have been done three days ago. However, Dad always had another excuse ready.

"Julian, I have an academic seminar this afternoon. I can't get away.

"Standing in line is a waste of time. I'll do it when I'm free."

If he did not sign today, my loan application would be canceled.

Before leaving the house that morning, I stopped him in the entryway. He was buttoning up his suit jacket.

"I’ll see you at 3 PM at the bank. You promised you'd be there today."

Dad adjusted his tie impatiently and gave a careless nod.

"I know, I know. I'll stop by after I'm done. Quit reminding me."

By 2 PM that afternoon, Cascade City was being pounded by heavy rain.

I did not have an umbrella. I ran all the way to the bank, soaked from head to toe.

The air conditioning inside was freezing. My clothes clung to my skin, and my lips turned purple from the cold as I sat in the corner, clutching my waiting number.

2:30 PM.

3 PM.

3:30 PM.

The electronic system kept calling out ticket numbers one after another.

Outside, the sky slowly grew darker.

I called Dad.

Once.

Twice.

Ten times.

Every call ended with the same cold recorded voice.

"Sorry. The person you're trying to reach is unavailable."

At 4 PM, with only an hour left before the bank closed, I dialed Mom's number with trembling fingers.

The phone rang for a long time before she answered.

The background was loud and chaotic. It sounded like an airport terminal.

"Hello? Make it quick. We're busy over here!"

Her voice was full of impatience.

"Where's Dad?" I gripped my phone so tightly my fingers hurt. "He promised he'd be at the bank at three. Where is he?"

There was a brief pause.

Then Mom answered as if nothing were wrong.

"Oh. Ethan's checked luggage was overweight.

“He kept complaining and refused to check in. Your father felt bad for him, so he rushed over to help.

"We're all at the airport now."

I looked at the clock hanging on the bank wall. The second hand ticked steadily forward.

"Does he know that if he doesn't sign today, I'll lose my student loan?"

I barely recognized how calm my own voice sounded.

"So what?" Mom cut me off impatiently. "If you can't get the loan, then forget it. You can wait a year before starting college. Go get a job, save some money, and enroll next year.

"Ethan going to Francoria is what really matters. If this ruins his mood before he leaves, are you going to take responsibility for that?"

Wait a year?

Work first?

Save up?

To them, my future was worth less than a few extra pounds in Ethan's suitcase.

"Yoana Lynch." For the first time in my life, I called Mom by her full name.

The line fell silent.

"Have you ever thought about what happens if I don't go to college? It'll ruin the rest of my life."

She was quiet for two seconds, then she exploded.

"Julian! Are you lecturing me now?

“Who taught you to call your own mother by her name?

"I knew it. You've never understood what gratitude means! If you think you're so capable, then solve the rest of your problems yourself.

“And don't expect us to help you ever again!"

Click.

The call ended.

I stared at the words ‘Call Ended’ on my screen.

I laughed.

I laughed until tears finally spilled down my face, mixing with the rainwater already there.

By then, I could not even tell which was which.

I stood up and walked to the Financial Aid Office counter.

From my folder, I pulled out another stack of documents I had spent the last several days gathering.

They included records proving my legal guardianship, documentation showing that my parents had refused to provide financial support, and everything required to apply for independent student status under special circumstances.

I looked at the staff member and did my best to keep my voice steady.

"Hello.

"My parents have formally refused to fulfill their financial responsibilities. I'd like to request a special review and have my financial aid eligibility reassessed as an independent student.

“Could you please tell me if there's anything else I need to submit?"

By the time I finished all the paperwork and walked out of the bank, the rain had stopped.

The setting sun broke through the clouds, covering the streets in warm golden light.

I returned to the place everyone insisted on calling home. Then I pulled out the suitcase I had packed the night before.

Inside were only two changes of old clothes and a few textbooks. I did not take a single thing that belonged to the house. Not even a pair of slippers.

I placed my house key on top of the shoe cabinet by the front door.

Just as my hand closed around the doorknob, my phone buzzed.

It was a Messenger notification from Dad.

[Julian, your brother found a limited-edition mechanical watch at the duty-free shop. Send me $2,000. Consider it your farewell gift to him as his younger brother.]

The moment I read the message, my stomach twisted with disgust.

I did not reply. Instead, I opened his profile and pressed ‘Delete’.

Then I deleted Mom.

Then Ethan.

Then I pulled the front door open and walked away without looking back.

The stepping stone that had been trampled on for eighteen years had finally grown legs of its own.

This time, it was walking straight toward the light.