Chapter 4

“Rhys, where is your heart?”

Kyra pulled a scowl, her gaze dripping with condemnation. “Danny is timid and broken. What’s wrong with giving him some grace?

“Birthdays happen every year. What if he gets physically sick from terror? Why can’t you be a little understanding?”

Keeping the pain to myself, I pressed on. “You’re my girlfriend. You reserved this day for me—”

Kyra cut me off.

She looked disappointed, her eyes flickering with agony.

“Rhys, there are times I wish I could turn back time and stop the switch at birth. Maybe then…”

With her words trailing off, she turned on her heel and walked into the rain.

However, I got the message loud and clear.

I didn’t stop her.

The unspoken words were clear to me. If that mistake hadn’t happened back then, Danny wouldn’t have suffered that abuse, and she would have been the one by his side all those years.

Kyra had second thoughts.

She started to feel that Danny would have been far more deserving of those twenty years of love and privilege.

Left alone with a table of cold food, I blew out the candles.

In that moment, I finally accepted the reality that the girl who had promised to protect me was no longer there.

…

Back at the Green residence, I took a quick shower.

Then, I laid a legal document ending all family ties on the table, together with my bank card.

The card was linked to my bank account, containing everything I earned from investing my allowance over the years, along with dividends from my shares.

Though the sum might not amount to much compared to the twenty years of luxury the Greens had provided me, it should cover the cost of raising me.

I put my signature on the document.

Later, I started packing my bags.

My suitcase held nothing but a few changes of clothes, some music sheets, and the family portrait I once cherished more than anything in the world.

After much hesitation, I placed it facedown on the table.

The photo served no use to me anymore.

I texted my attorney. “You can go ahead with the plan.”

On my way down the steps, the front door swung open.

Liam, Emma, and Kyra had returned with Danny in tow.

Noticing I was standing on the staircase landing with a suitcase in hand, Emma paused for a minute before scoffing.

“What’s this? Are you threatening to run away from home? Oh, please, Rhys. Grow up. This is beyond your age. Do you think we’d be fussing all over you?”

Danny teared up. “Are you leaving because of me? Kyra, please talk to him. I don’t want to be the reason everybody is miserable…”

Kyra’s heart went out to Danny as he looked broken. “Rhys, drop the attitude. Danny is unwell. Just cut it out.”

Infuriated, Emma lashed out, “Let him be! We’ll see how long he’s going to last out there on his own!

“Without the family name to back him up, I doubt he can survive. Even better if he gets out and stays out!”

Storming back to her bedroom, Emma refused to even take another look at me.

Liam dropped his briefcase and marched to the bedroom. While brushing past me, he said curtly, “My conscience is clear because I know I have done right by you. Don’t expect me to apologize to you.

“My own son had a tough time out there on his own for years, but I showed you grace by letting you stay under my roof anyway because people will grow attached to anything, even dogs.”

His voice grew sharp with agitation. “But dogs show loyalty and gratitude while you hurt my boy again and again.

If this is the attitude you’re going to take, then leave. Just don’t come crawling back like you used to as a child.”

I brushed away the moisture on my cheeks and swallowed my emotions. “Fine.”

Liam paused for a moment. Since I kept my mouth shut, he closed his eyes in disappointment and went upstairs.

‘Goodbye, Mom and Dad.’

One last time, I let myself think of them as Mom and Dad.

I was fast approaching the door when Kyra grabbed my arm. “I’ll still marry you. Don’t you think you’re being unreasonable by throwing away all our years together over Danny’s one little comment?”

Breaking free from her grip, I murmured, “It’s over, Kyra.”

Kyra clenched her fists. “All this over one comment?”

At this point, I couldn’t be bothered to argue. I nodded. “Yes, that’s right.

“You can take back the promise to keep me safe. We’re even.”

Kyra seethed with rage, her eyes bloodshot. After letting out a scoff, she pulled Danny inside.

While marching past me, she said icily, “Just make sure you don’t regret this. I don’t give second chances.”

“Okay.”

I nodded. With my back straight, I walked into the night.