Chapter 1

I stood there and really looked at the rented apartment I'd spent the last year in for the very first time.

The wallpaper was peeling off in chunks, exposing the ash-gray concrete underneath.

The curtains were stiff from too many washes, and their edges were stained with stubborn mold.

The ancient AC rattled overhead, blowing nothing but hot air.

During the hottest months of exam prep, I sat at my desk every day grinding through practice papers.

By the time I finished a single test, I'd be drenched in enough sweat to wash myself twice.

But my family wasn't poor.

Mom, Dad, my sister, Paige Hunt, and my adopted brother, Reynold Hunt, lived in a 3,000-square-meter luxury apartment right downtown.

Reynold had his own study, piano room, and gaming room. Even his collection of sneakers and figurines had its own dedicated display room.

Yet, when they kicked me out, Mom just frowned and said, "It's only for a year. There's no need to rent a fancy place. Once the SAT is over, we'll bring you home."

But it had been over two weeks since the SAT ended, and the results were released that day.

But not a single soul had mentioned letting me come back.

I looked down, about to pack away my four rag dolls, when my phone buzzed with a text from Mom.

"Ollie, come home later. We need to talk about your college applications."

I stared blankly at the words "come home".

My heart, which had already sunk to the bottom, foolishly stirred again.

Maybe they did remember me after all.

I rushed downstairs.

Anxious that the bus would take too long, I splurged on a cab for the first time.

When I pushed the front door open, the living room was bursting with life.

Mom, Dad, Paige, and my childhood best friend, Julia Andrews, were all there.

They were crowding around Reynold, who sat in the middle behind four beautifully wrapped gifts.

Mom stroked his hair and said gently, "Well done, Reynold. You scored over 1,300. You can go to college in Brookmere now."

Paige chimed in, smiling, "Of course he's going to Crawford University. I tutored him in math myself. I spent a whole year stressing over him. It wouldn't make sense if he didn't go to the same school as me."

Julia frowned. "No way. I was the one who got his literature scores up. He should go to Beaumont University."

They bickered back and forth like they were fighting over a priceless treasure.

Meanwhile, I stood by the entryway, looking exactly like a thief who had broken into someone else's house.

After a long while, Mom finally noticed me, and the smile faded from her face. "Oh, welcome back, Ollie."

The laughter in the room died instantly.

Reynold glanced at me, gathered his gifts, and turned to head back to his room.

The rest of them just stared at me, looking awkward.

Finally, Paige broke the silence. "Don't just stand there. Come sit."

I walked over quietly and took a seat on the single armchair at the very edge.

Dad cleared his throat and asked, "Did your scores come out?"

I nodded. "Yeah."

"How much did you get?"

Just as I opened my mouth to answer, Mom cut me off. "The score doesn't matter right now. We called you back today to talk about your college application."

Feeling diffident, she avoided meeting my eyes. "Don't apply to any schools in Brookmere. Reynold studied very hard for a whole year just to get over 1,300. If you go to Brookmere too, he's probably going to throw another fit."

My fingernails dug deep into my palms, and the dull ache slowly radiated upward.

They knew that the best universities in the country were all in Brookmere. Yet, for the sake of avoiding a potential tantrum from Reynold, they just casually threw away my entire future.

Refusing to give up, I looked at Dad.

He looked completely on board with the idea. "Just listen to your mom. This family is finally peaceful. Stop making trouble."

I turned to Paige, who frowned and spoke in a matter-of-fact tone. "Selvarin has good schools too. Just go there. It's closer to home anyway."

Finally, I looked at Julia.

She kept her head down, not daring to meet my eyes.

After a long pause, she said softly, "Ollie, you've always been smart. You'll do great no matter what school you go to. But Reynold is different. He's insecure, and he needs someone to look after him."