Chapter 4

The living room went silent.

Dad frowned.

"Gavin, what did you just say?"

Miles froze too. The considerate act he'd just been putting on disappeared, and he stared at me in surprise.

Mom shot up from the couch.

"What kind of tantrum is this? Are you saying you're done with this family? I raised you all these years for nothing!"

"Then why doesn't Miles have to chip in?"

I couldn't stop my voice from rising.

Mom's face darkened.

"How is that the same? Miles has so many expenses. Why are you comparing yourself to him?"

"How is it not the same? You bought him a car, and I'm still supposed to keep paying for him?

"Look at what he wears and what he has, and then look at me.

"I'm his brother, but I live like I'm his father!"

Smack!

The slap came out of nowhere. It was Mom.

My face burned, and the tears I'd been holding back finally fell.

Mom's hand was shaking. She sat back down on the couch, one hand pressed to her chest, looking more wronged than the person she'd just hit.

Dad scolded me.

"You're a grown man. Why are you fighting with your mother?"

Miles stepped forward and looked down at me.

"Gavin, how can you talk to Mom like that? She's still your mother."

Seeing how self-righteous he looked, I suddenly felt like I couldn't breathe.

In this family, he'd taken everything, and he was always right.

And now here he was passing judgment on me.

I didn't look at him. I just muttered, "Right. You're such a devoted son."

The moment the words left my mouth, his face flushed red, and his eyes reddened too.

Audrey, who'd walked her mother downstairs, came back in right then.

"Miles, what's wrong?"

Miles ran to her side, looking hurt, unable to say a word.

Mom pointed right at my face and scoffed.

"Gavin, you think you're too big to listen to us now! You think you can turn on your own family!

"Audrey, once you marry him, you'll be in for it. He's nowhere near as thoughtful as Miles!"

Audrey immediately frowned at me.

"Gavin, hurry up and apologize to Linda and Miles."

My cheek was still red, but she couldn't see it, because she didn't care at all.

Her eyes and her heart were only on Miles.

I slowly stood and looked around the living room. Everyone was staring at me like I was some unforgivable criminal.

I didn't say another word. I turned, went back to my room, and locked the door.

Outside, Audrey was apologizing for me, saying I was being immature. Dad started comforting Mom.

Listening to Miles's laughter slowly return, I bit down hard on my lip to keep myself from losing it.

For the next few days, I was invisible in that house.

My parents looked right through me, while Audrey and Miles were all over each other's social media.

A street fair one day, a rooftop bar the next.

At night they came home together and said good night at the front door.

Three days later, I'd packed my bags and was ready to leave quietly. But the moment I stepped out of my bedroom, I found Mom sitting on the couch, staring coldly at me.

"Is your flight today?"

When I heard that, my mind went blank for a second.

Before I could say anything, Audrey and Miles came in.

The second he stepped inside, Miles flashed Mom an okay sign.

Then Mom stood up with a cold laugh.

"Audrey saw the overseas assignment application in your email. You still think you're going abroad?

"They already went to your company and quit for you. From now on, you'll find a job close to home, behave yourself, and stop dreaming about nonsense!"

I stared at Audrey in disbelief.

"You quit my job for me? Who said you could do that?"

Audrey's eyes darted away, but she quickly put on a look like she only had my best interests at heart.

"I did it for your own good. If you go that far away, what happens to our wedding?

"Wouldn't it be better if you stayed here and we built a nice, stable life together?"

At that, I felt the blood rush to my head.

I didn't want to say another word to them. I grabbed my suitcase and headed out.

"You're not going!" Mom barked. "Don't even think about walking out that door today."

I tried desperately to get around them and make a run for it, but they held me back.

In the chaos, someone pulled my phone out of my pocket.

"Give me back my phone!" I yelled.

Nobody listened. Half dragging, half pulling, they shoved me back into my bedroom.

Click. The lock slid shut from the outside.

Mom's voice came through the door, light but unbelievably cruel.

"We're going to the Bellamys' for dinner. We'll unlock the door when we get back tonight.

"Once you give up on going abroad, we'll talk."

I twisted the doorknob like a madman and slammed my palm against the door.

"Let me out! You can't do this to me!

"Mom! Dad! Audrey! Open the door!"

But no one answered anymore.

I checked the time. My flight was getting closer and closer.

Just as I was about to give up hope, I heard someone downstairs shouting my name.

"Gavin, you liar! Get out here!"

I rushed to the window. When I saw the face down below, I laughed through my tears.

Once the lock was forced open, I headed straight for the airport.

Before I boarded, I took one last look at the city. Then I left without looking back.