Love Swiped Left on Me

I got a text message from my aunt, Marissa Ross.

"I've booked the flight ticket for you, Olivia. It leaves in three days. Take the time to bid them a proper farewell."

A farewell, huh?

Staring at that word, I spaced out for a while.

I thought of Dad, who never looked me in the eye anymore, and my older brother, William Calhoun, who had long since switched sides. I also thought about Shawn, who was meant to be my fiance, but I couldn't even be bothered to say goodbye to him anymore.

Three days were enough time.

Out on the empty street corner, I stood alone for some time, letting the cold fall air chill me to the bone. Then, I picked up my phone and called Dad.

His name was Vincent Calhoun.

It rang for only a second before he declined the call. When I tried again, he turned his phone off.

Taking a deep breath, I forced myself to call William. This time, it rang for a while before he finally answered.

"Why do you keep calling?" William questioned irritably. "Don't you know that Juliet was performing on stage just now? You almost disrupted it!"

Juliet Calhoun was Dad's new adopted daughter. She was now the true "darling" of the Calhoun family.

Even though I should be used to William's biased attitude by now, his words still cut deep.

Doing my best to hide the bitterness in my voice, I answered in my usual appeasing tone, "It's been a while since we last saw each other, William. Can we have dinner together tonight? Juliet likes dining at that seafood restaurant, the Sea Goddess, right? They just launched a new and improved menu. We can try it out together—"

"What trick are you trying to pull this time, Olivia? Just a few days ago, Juliet nearly missed a performance because you had them deliver her gown to her late!" William barked.

"Are you inviting us out to a meal because you want to poison her this time? Or are you seizing this opportunity to put on your pathetic one-woman act again?"

I stiffened. William had once said to me, "Even if no one else believes you, I always will."

"That's not true, William. I just want to see you."

"Well, I don't want to see you!"

Just then, a sweet, delicate voice chimed in, "Don't say that about Livie, Will. She'll get upset."

It was Juliet. Her voice was light and airy as she continued, "It's been ages since I last saw you, Livie. Let's have a meal together. But I'm feeling rather tired, so I don't want to go out. Let's eat at home, okay?"

"I feel like having seafood risotto and butter-grilled oysters, but it's the cook's day off today. Can you… cook for us, Livie?"

Her request made me uncomfortable, but since this was probably the last time I'd eat with them as a family, I agreed. "Fine."

Once the call ended, my hands started shaking.

They'd all forgotten that I was severely allergic to seafood. Even the slightest contact with seafood was enough to make me suffocate. Still, I agreed to do it. I was like a pitiful puppy who craved getting even the slightest hint of warmth and affection from my family.

…

Meanwhile, over on the other side, Juliet leaned playfully into William's arms and said, "Will, Livie seems… to have really turned over a new leaf. She still loves us very much."

Lowering his head, William lit up a cigarette. His gaze was cold as he said, "She still hasn't figured out just how unimportant she is."