"What's going on?" Kai's voice came from the door.I'd imagined him as a quirky old man, but seeing him shocked me. He was a mess, like a homeless guy scavenging trash."I rushed back when I heard Skyler's return," Kai said. "I'm late."He held a bouquet of freesia, vibrant and lovely.My eyes lit up. I loved those flowers."For you," Kai said, placing them in my hands.George straightened up, but oddly, the two old friends started fighting. They blamed each other, gutted by my condition."Enough!" I said.George stopped first, tears in his eyes. "If he hadn't done that at your wedding, you wouldn't have ended up like this. He failed you."Kai glared back at him, seething with anger."Had enough? Take it outside," I said.Since I came back, my head had throbbed constantly, and their fighting made it worse.I wanted them gone. So, I brought up Lily."If you're just fighting to prove who's better to her, go do it in front of her," I said. "30 years ago, I didn't want to see
"Why?" Kai teared up, clenching his fists.He hated himself for what he'd done to me.George slapped himself hard. "I'm such an idiot. How could I force Skyler to step aside for a supposed debt? She didn't owe anyone. I failed her."Our parents died when we were young. He'd raised me and cherished me. But for Lily, he'd called me selfish, saying everything I had was from him.Every word cut deep. Now my pain came back like a boomerang, hitting them both."I'm divorcing Lily and finding Skyler," Kai said, racing out.For three days, they searched nonstop. They found traces of me everywhere, but never me.There wasn't even a goodbye letter. All they had were memories and the stuff I left behind.30 years later, I completed the mission, but my body was wrecked. I barely looked like myself.The government sent a car for me. After 30 years of sacrifice, I earned my honors.Of the 20-plus who went, only five came back alive. I was severely injured; two others were on death's door.
George stopped dead, confused.It couldn't be a coincidence that Lily had saved them both."We've been played," he growled, then voiced his thoughts.Kai's blood ran cold. Regret hit him hard."George." His voice shook.George waved him off, knowing what Kai was trying to say. At that point, he only wanted to know where I was.They went to Ruby's house. I'd never been close to many people, so she was their best shot.Ruby was surprised but bound by a confidentiality agreement."Skyler's gone far," she said flatly. "No one knows when she'll be back.""No way," George insisted. "Where is she? I'm her brother. I have the right to know.""I..." Kai opened his mouth but shut it. He had no claim to speak."Sorry, I can't tell you," Ruby replied.She'd read the news about the White family's adopted daughter. She felt bad for me and had no patience for these two."I don't buy it," George said. "If you don't tell me, I'll call the police. If I can't find her, I have every reason to
George snapped out of it, his voice sharp. "Stop stirring the pot. Stay here. Kai and I are going to find Skyler."Clara's words had hit him, reminding him of our bond.He regretted hitting me. Even if I'd been harsh or hurt his so-called savior, he shouldn't have done it.Kai felt it too. He'd been so focused on protecting Lily, thinking I'd changed for the worse.Clara's words were a wake-up call.My attitude was their doing. They'd spoiled me. It was unfair for them to ask me to change just because they met Lily."It's my fault," they said at the same time.Kai looked at George. "You never laid a hand on her growing up. Why did you hit her the other day?"George laughed bitterly, "We're both guilty."The search was grim. I was already out of Seaside City, on my way to Cloud City."Where could she be?" George muttered, punching Kai.It was already midnight, and he was desperate. I'd blocked them, and he was worried about my safety."You're crazy!" Kai hit the ground, re
The two people who had loved me now avoided me like the plague.I blinked back my tears and got in the car.The mission had a big group. We split up, heading to different destinations.As the scenery blurred past, I wiped a tear from my cheek.This was for the best. Without me, Lily would fit into the family. George wouldn't worry about me hurting her, and Kai could live with his true love.It was the perfect ending for us all.Back in the house, George got moody.He'd always adored me, but my recent actions had frustrated him."Skyler's just blowing off steam," Lily said sweetly, sitting beside him.Kai lit a cigarette. He felt I'd changed but couldn't pin it down."Kai," Lily coughed.She was frail, and Kai had never smoked around her before. Now he didn't even look at her."She wouldn't really leave, would she?" Kai muttered, grabbing his keys.George raised a brow. "Where are you going?""To find Skyler. She's never been out alone. You're not worried?" Kai replied.H
"Yes." I bent to take Lily's wine glass.She wouldn't let go, yanking it back. The wine splashed across her forehead, staining her dress."Skyler!" George and Kai shouted in unison.Kai swung, his hand cracking across my face. He snarled, "I told you not to mess with Lily! If you won't listen, maybe we should lock you up."On cue, George splashed his wine on me and ordered the maid to drag me away.I'd always been terrified of the dark, but they locked me in the dark attic.The night felt eerie.I hugged myself, burying my face in my knees. I didn't want to blame anyone anymore. I just missed my parents and wanted to escape from this place.Sunlight hit me at noon.The maid's voice woke me. "Miss White, they're gone. Come eat something."I stood, nearly collapsing. My legs were numb from squatting all night. My dress, soaked in wine, reeked."How could Mr. White do this to you?" Clara whispered, feeling sorry for me.I patted her hand and limped to my room without a word. A