Chapter 1

My cousin Alia Fulton, my childhood sweetheart Evan Harper, and my brother Trevon Holden were already deep in a heated discussion. Feeling out of place, I stood up and headed to the kitchen for a glass of water.

Mom was prepping dinner when she saw me walk in. "Help me peel a couple of cloves of garlic. Have you guys decided where we're going yet?"

I grabbed two garlic cloves and slowly worked off the skin. "They're still figuring it out."

She gave a small hum and continued with a subtle note of pride, "I went to the market early this morning to pick up this pork. It's absolute perfection."

"Oh."

I finished peeling the garlic and set it beside her hand, then glanced at the pork belly cut into chunks on the cutting board.

Seven distinct layers, perfectly marbled. Beautiful indeed.

I turned on the faucet to wash my hands.

"And these shrimps were still kicking when I bought them."

A quick glance gave me the whole picture.

Alia's favorite pork belly, Trevon's favorite mustard shrimp, Dad's favorite braised fish, Evan's favorite chicken wings, and some seasonal vegetables.

I turned off the tap, turned around, and pulled open the fridge. "Mom, I want some scrambled eggs. I can make it myself."

"Oh, we're out of eggs. I'll get some next time I find fresh farm ones," Mom replied.

My hand slipped from the fridge door, and a bitter smile tugged at my lips.

Alia loved pork belly. When she casually mentioned two days ago that her last portion was too lean, Mom woke up at dawn just to hunt down the finest cut for her.

Meanwhile, I was left waiting endlessly for a simple plate of scrambled eggs.

"Give me a hand here," Mom said.

"Okay."

By the time we sat down for dinner, they had finally wrapped up their discussion.

Alia bubbled over with excitement, announcing that we were going to Moonbrook Town. Naturally, Mom and Dad had zero objections.

Only then did Alia seem to remember I was there. She paused briefly before saying, "Yelena, I'm so sorry! We got so carried away that we forgot to ask you. Where do you want to go?"

I looked up at everyone around the table. They had all agreed on Moonbrook Town.

I knew that even if I spoke up, they would find a dozen excuses to shoot me down.

So I shoved a massive spoonful of greens into my mouth, trying to block the lump in my throat.

"I don't mind."

After dinner, Mom casually told me to do the dishes while she guided Alia over to the living room couch.

Alia shot me a triumphant look, though her voice dripped with hesitation. "Is it really okay to leave Yelena to do all this by herself?"

Trevon let out a chuckle. "We have a dishwasher. You're making it sound like she's being abused."

Mom chimed in immediately, "Exactly. She's just clearing the table. Come look at these dresses with me, Alia. Help pick one out for Yelena. She only cares about studying. She doesn't understand any of this stuff."

My hands slipped, nearly dropping a plate.

Back when most kids hadn't developed a sense of style, I was already picking out lovely dresses for myself.

Mom used to brag to everyone, saying I'd definitely grow up to be a designer.

But later, when Alia joined our family, Mom stopped letting me buy dresses. She said Alia had never owned anything nice, and seeing my wardrobe would break her heart.

From that day on, my closet held nothing but bland activewear.

And now, she claimed I just didn't understand fashion.

Even though we were under the same roof, the laughter in the living room felt so distant I could never hope to reach it.

The emotions I had been holding back surged up again. I ducked my head and sniffled softly.

Luckily, no one noticed.

After loading the dishes into the kitchen, my phone chimed with a message. It was Evan.

"Everyone wanted to go to Moonbrook Town. I'll take you to the beach by ourselves next time."

So he hadn't forgotten.

My knuckles turned white as I gripped the phone. Suddenly, I wanted to ask whether everyone wanted to go, or whether it was really Alia who wanted to.

But the urge faded as quickly as it came.

It was better to forget it.

There wouldn't be a next time anyway; there was no point in asking.

When I walked out of the kitchen, the living room was completely empty.

As I grabbed a paper towel to dry my hands, Alia came out of her room, beaming as she wheeled her suitcase. "Yelena, hurry up and pack! We're heading out!"

I looked down at my apron in utter disbelief. "Already? But I haven't even—"

Before I could finish, Mom rolled her own luggage out, frowning at me. "Stop daydreaming! Move it, or we're going to be late!"

Dad patted my shoulder. "Go throw your stuff together. We'll wait for you downstairs."

Hearing that, I rushed frantically into my room, tossed open my suitcase, and shoved in two random outfits.

Yet when I sprinted downstairs, they were nowhere in sight. I called Dad, only to find out that they had already left.

Before the line cut out, I could hear Mom complaining in the background. "I told her to hurry up, but she just kept dawdling."

I stared at my reflection in the glass door, my eyes stinging.

A loose ponytail, plain activewear, an empty suitcase, and shoes slapped on in a hurry. I had obviously rushed as fast as I could.

My phone buzzed with another text from Evan. "I booked you a ride. Get a move on. You can still make it."

I replied, "I don't want to go anymore."

"Why?"

My fingers trembled over the screen. Some truths were just too painful to spell out.

Because I wanted to go to the ocean.

Because I didn't have any nice clothes to wear.

Because they didn't bother waiting for me.

The next second, Evan called me directly. His tone was sharp with irritation as he said, "This is supposed to be our graduation trip. What do you mean you're not coming? We're waiting at the airport. Hurry up."

Once again, before I could say a word, he hung up.

The Uber pulled up in front of me, and the friendly driver helped load my suitcase into the trunk.

As I slid into the back seat, I stared silently out the window.

A heavy tightness settled in my chest, suffocating me.