Chapter 4

On the day I left, Mom was up early for once.

I wheeled my suitcase out of my room and found her in the kitchen, spreading jam on toast.

She stopped at the sound of the wheels.

“Where are you going?”

“Taking a trip.”

“Now?” She looked surprised. “Aren’t you trying on your ceremony dress with Declan next week?”

“I know.”

She went back to the toast without asking anything else.

“A few days away might do you good. Just stop sulking at Bella when you get back. And don’t forget about the dress fitting.”

I said okay and wheeled my suitcase to the door.

Bella came down the stairs in her robe, fresh out of bed.

“You’re going out? I bought an apple pie. I was waiting to have some with you.”

When I didn’t answer, she quickly added, “I’m not lying this time. It’s from your favorite place.”

Dad laughed over his coffee.

“You’ve tricked her so often she won’t believe a word you say.”

Bella pouted.

“I’m trying to make it up to her. She just won’t believe me.”

Declan arrived just then. When he heard I was taking a trip, he carried my suitcase down the steps.

“When will you be back?”

“Don’t know.”

He handed me the handle.

“Don’t forget the fitting next Tuesday. Go have a little fun. Maybe you’ll be in a better mood when you get back.”

I took the suitcase without explaining.

They all thought I was going away to cool off. In a few days, I’d be home, ready to carry on planning the ceremony.

Halfway to the airport, Bella called.

She was sobbing so hard she could barely get the words out.

“Dad fell down the stairs! His head’s bleeding!”

My fingers tightened around the phone. My heart still gave that sudden, familiar squeeze.

The driver glanced at me in the mirror.

“Should I turn around?”

I waited two seconds, then asked Bella, “Did you call an ambulance?”

She faltered.

“What?”

“His head’s bleeding. Why haven’t you called an ambulance?”

There was a brief silence. Then laughter burst through the phone.

Dad’s voice came with it.

“Well, look who’s finally catching on.”

“I told you we’d used that one too often,” Mom said, laughing.

I closed my eyes and slowly loosened my grip.

Even now, on the day I was leaving, they were still betting on how much I loved them.

Bella could barely speak through her laughter.

“Where are you now? You actually caught us this time. I bet Declan you’d turn around within fifteen minutes.”

“I said ten,” Declan put in.

“She can act tough all she wants. When it comes to her parents, she won’t hold out for long.”

Their voices overlapped, all so familiar. I found myself smiling too.

“Have fun with your bets.”

Bella paused. “Sienna?”

I hung up and spoke to the driver, who was still waiting for an answer.

“Keep going.”

Ten minutes later, Dad sent me a question mark.

After fifteen, Declan started calling. I didn’t pick up once.

The boarding announcement came over the airport speakers. A colleague from the Silver Moon Pack texted me too.

“Let us know when you land. Someone will be there to pick you up.”

I replied, “Will do,” then switched off location sharing and left the family group chat.

As the plane taxied toward the runway, my phone lit up one last time.

Declan had sent a message.

“Enough, Sienna. It was one little joke. Can you stop sulking?”

I read it and turned off my phone.

The city grew smaller outside the window.

They were still waiting for me to turn around. Waiting for me to worry. Waiting for me to rush back, just as I always had, even when I knew it might be another lie.

But this time, they’d lost their bet.