Chapter 2

I sat by the flower bed for a long while.

I did not get up until they exited the restaurant. Everyone was clustered around Michael.

He jogged over and threw his arm over my shoulder.

“Fin! Why’d you sneak off by yourself?”

I instinctively flinched away.

“I was full. I just came out to get some air.”

“Perfect timing.”

He let go of me and glanced back at our parents, who were catching up.

“Mom and Dad need to tell you something.”

My parents looked at each other.

Mom spoke first.

“Fin, actually, your dad and I already filed for divorce before your SATs. We kept it from you so it wouldn’t affect your and Mic’s performance.”

Dad chimed in, “Now that Mic has done so well, we finally feel relieved.

“There are still a few days left before the divorce is finalized. After that, we’ll all go our separate ways.”

There was even a hint of relief in his tone, as if a burden had finally been lifted.

When I heard that, my mind went completely blank.

I was not shocked because my parents were getting divorced.

I had snapped my head toward Michael, and what I saw shocked me.

He was way too calm. It was like he had known all along.

“So...” My voice was shaking a little.

“You all had this planned out from the start. When it comes to things in this family, I’m always the last to find out, aren’t I?”

No one answered me.

Michael grabbed Mom’s arm and whined playfully, “Mom, you promised. Even if you and Dad get divorced, Fin and I are still your baby boys.”

Mom gave his hand a doting pat.

“Of course, sweetie. Come with me, I’ll take you to see the world.”

“No way!” Dad cut in immediately.

“Mic stays with me. My connections and network are way better for his future.”

The two of them tugged at Michael’s sleeves from opposite sides.

It seemed intense, but it was just loud family fun.

Michael swayed left and right as they pulled him. He smiled helplessly with a tinge of smugness.

Even though I was at the center, I felt like a stranger who had wandered into someone else’s family portrait.

“What do you even see me as?” The words came out louder than I meant.

Everyone went quiet for a moment.

Mom frowned and said, “Why are you yelling? Who are you to throw a fit with a score that low?”

Michael quickly stepped in to smooth things over.

“Mom, Fin didn’t do well on the exam, so of course he’s upset. Cut him some slack, alright?”

He turned and patted me on the shoulder as he said, “Don’t worry, Fin. Mom and Dad have always been fair. I’m sure they’ll respect your choice, no matter which one of us you go with.”

He always had a knack for winning people over.

Growing up, when I got bullied at school, he was the one who stood up and spoke for me.

At home, when Mom and Dad neglected me, he was the one who stood up for me so they would pay me some attention, too.

But I finally understood that every time he defended me, it was built on the simple fact that he had already won. Charity, after all, was a luxury of those who already had it.

Brielle also walked over with a frown as she said, “Fin, don’t make such a big deal out of it. Have some dignity.

“Look at Mic. Nothing ever rattles him. You’re the older brother, so you should learn from him.”

I did not think I could.

For as long as I could remember, I could never measure up to him.

I was the older brother only because I came out first during the C-section.

That one accident of birth meant I was supposed to yield to my younger brother when it came to every single matter.

He got the newest backpack every year, while I had to mend my own when it tore.

At dinner, it was always his favorite food on the table. If I got home even ten minutes late, I would only get whatever cold leftovers remained.

When we were young, our parents would walk ahead holding his hand. The moment I bent down to tie my shoe, they would be far ahead.

That distance always felt impossible to close.

So, when our parents finally divorced, it just meant whatever little love they had left for me had all been given to Michael instead.

Of course he would be calm. He had everything.

When I remained silent, Brielle held my hand firmly and said, “Come on, don’t get upset. Worst comes to worst, I’ll take care of you.”

“What are you talking about? That’s my big brother!” Michael swatted her hand away.

“If anyone’s taking care of him, it’s me!”

“Do you have to compete over this too? That’s so overbearing!”

The two of them started shoving and roughhousing again, their laughter piercingly loud in the night air.

Though they seemed to be fighting over me, in truth, neither of them actually wanted me.

“I’m not going with anyone. From now on, I’m on my own.”

When I looked up, everyone had gone ahead.

Michael had already run off into the distance, with Brielle laughing and chasing after him.

My parents had followed along as well.

They bustled noisily toward the same direction, and not a single person looked back at me.

It had always been like that.

In the past, I would always chase them down, even knowing I would only ever be trailing behind.

I was done trying to keep up.