Chapter 4

Nathan's POV

On the last day of their vacation, the family group chat suddenly came alive.

Michelle sent a long voice message.

"Nathan, our flight gets in tomorrow night. I need you to head over to Cirsville tomorrow and rent a two-bedroom apartment near Oscar's college. His health isn't great, so he won't be able to handle living in the dorms. Go to the apartment and clean the place up for him.

"While you're at it, you can move your things in too."

When I finished listening to the message, I set my phone down without a trace of emotion on my face.

They were so certain I'd go to Cirsville because Celia was attending Tangley University there. Oscar's college entrance exam scores could get him into one of the city's third-tier colleges, albeit barely.

As far as they were concerned, a loser like me who could only hope to get into community college was only good for one thing—to go to Cirsville and be Oscar's unpaid caretaker, all the while following Celia around like a lost puppy.

Mom sent a text as well.

"Nate, since you're going to a community college in Cirsville, make sure you look after Oscar and Celia from now on. We'll take care of the rent, but you'll have to earn your own living expenses with part-time jobs.

"You're 18 years old now. A young man should learn to be independent."

Independent. What a conveniently noble-sounding word.

Oscar was 18 years old, yet he needed the whole family to revolve around him, needed to go to the beach to help him unwind, and needed to rent an apartment to live in.

Meanwhile, being 18 years old, for me, meant that I needed to work part-time to support myself while also taking care of them.

I didn't bother replying. I just quietly silenced my phone.

I'd already emptied out my room. Other than the bed, the battered wardrobe, and the makeshift desk, nothing else remained. The few, pitiful traces of my existence had all been swept clean by my own hands.

I zipped my toiletries into my backpack and shut it.

Lying on the desk was a one-way plane ticket to Vorton, with the departure time at 10:00 am the following day. It'd be just enough time for me to leave before the rest of them returned home.

I glanced around the house I'd lived in for the past three years. I didn't even feel a sliver of sadness.

That night, I cleaned the house one last time.

In the fridge was the already simmered chicken broth, and Oscar's room had been fitted with fresh dust covers. Everything was exactly as they'd demanded.

…

Early the next morning, just as dawn was breaking, I slung my backpack over my shoulder and pulled the front door shut with a soft click.

The morning air felt a little chilly.

I walked out of the neighborhood and hailed a cab.

"To the airport, please."

Sitting in the backseat, I watched the cityscape recede through the window. I'd never felt calmer.

That was when my phone lit up with a private message from Celia.

"Nate, have you found an apartment yet? Pick somewhere close to my campus so it'll be easier for me to visit you guys."

I found it almost funny when I read the text. Visit us? She meant visiting Oscar while tossing me whatever scraps of attention she happened to have left.

I tapped her profile picture and deleted her from my contacts. Then I did the same for Mom, Dad, Michelle, and Oscar. One by one, I blocked every single person connected to that family.

Then I pulled out my SIM card, snapped it in half, and tossed it out the car window.

…

At the airport, I smoothly checked my luggage and went through security.

A gentle female voice came over the speakers.

"Attention passengers traveling to Vorton. Your flight is now boarding…"

I rose to my feet and walked toward the gate.

Goodbye to all the favoritism and unfairness. Goodbye to the Nathan McCreery who was always the one abandoned.

From today onward, I belonged only to myself.