Chapter 4

Megan suddenly grabbed my hand. "It's all because I got sick. Otherwise, we could all go on a family trip together. Just give me a little more time. Once I get better, we'll take lots more family pictures together.

"I promise to have Kenny take beautiful photos of you so you can experience what it's like to be cherished by our parents and Kenny, okay?"

I yanked my hand away. This time, it wasn't Megan who felt sick and wanted to vomit. It was me. The scent of Kendrick's cologne on her made my stomach churn. "Don't touch me."

Megan covered her mouth dramatically. "Mia, are you pregnant? How many months along are you? If you're already having morning sickness, you're probably more than three months pregnant, right?"

The room fell silent.

My parents' and Kendrick's gazes fell on my stomach.

Megan looped her arm through Mom's, pretending to defend me. "Dad, Mom, don't be mad. Mia's at the age when girls start having feelings for someone, and since we're hardly ever home, it's not surprising that she'd get involved with a guy. It's just…"

Her eyes shifted to Kendrick. "I feel bad for Kenny. He waited for Mia to grow up, only for her to cheat on him."

Dad raised his hand and slapped me. He hit me so hard that my head started ringing, and my vision blurred.

Before I could even react, Mom rushed over and slapped me too.

I staggered, a deafening roar filling my ears. I couldn't hear anything out of my right ear.

The hatred in their eyes, as if they wanted to beat me to death, made me smile bitterly.

Through my blurry vision, I saw a smile appear on Megan's face.

All the hurt I'd kept bottled up erupted into anger, and I charged toward her, grabbing her by the hair. Ignoring her screams, I slapped her with all the strength I had. "This is what you owe me."

Everyone was stunned by my actions.

Kendrick was the first to react. He gripped my wrist and whispered to me, "Your parents are already furious. Be good. Go back to your room."

I jerked my hand away. "It was a major mistake in my life to confess my feelings to you on my 16th birthday. Kendrick, you don't deserve my affection."

I turned my gaze back to my parents. "Because of her, I suffered in silence for three years. From now on, I won't let myself live that way anymore."

With that, I went back to my room and grabbed my backpack.

My parents and Kendrick were gathered around Megan, fussing over her and gently blowing on her face. No one noticed me leave.

Half an hour later, Kendrick called me. "I don't see you in your room. Where did you go?"

I glanced at the departure screen. My flight would be boarding soon.

Kendrick continued, "Mia, I know you're not the type to fool around with guys. Be good, okay? Come back and apologize to Megan now."

I sneered. "She deliberately ruined my protective charm and slandered me. A slap is the least of what she deserves.

"Kendrick, don't ever call me again. Just hearing your voice makes me sick."

I hung up, switched off my phone, and boarded the plane.

'Dad, Mom, I hope we won't see each other again for the rest of our lives!'