Chapter 2

The original poster kept bashing her brother-in-law.

“He’s constantly asking for a care package from home. Does he think the stuff is free?

“Sometimes, he texts my husband late at night. How old is he anyway? He should have some boundaries. Some nerve.”

I frowned.

Teresa sent me some local treats once, but before the parcel arrived, I got a call from Cass.

She said, “I’m going to be blunt, Miles. Can’t you see what you’re doing here?

“We are here, denying ourselves of good things, but you’re hogging all the goodies from Mom.”

After the call, I wired a thousand bucks to Teresa.

When the package arrived, I nearly burst out laughing.

I thought I’d be spoiled, hence the phone call, but it was barely two pounds of anything worthwhile.

The late-night texting sparked yet another fight between Cass and me.

I came across an article about influenza and sent a reminder text to Sebastian to take our aging parents for their flu shots.

Cass saw the message and went off on me via voice message.

“Are you insane to text Sebastian this late at night?

“Look at the time. Come on. Show some consideration.”

We got into a huge fight and didn’t speak for a long time after that.

My eyes furrowed tighter as I read on.

The car pulled up just outside the neighborhood.

After paying for the fare, I carried my luggage to the apartment complex and headed straight up.

I pressed my thumb against the fingerprint scanner, but the door wouldn’t unlock.

Pausing for a second, I tried again.

My attempt failed once more.

I punched in the code I knew by heart. It was a combination of my birthday and my mom’s, but it came up as an error.

The smart lock blinked red, keeping me out of my own home.

The sinking feeling in my gut grew stronger by the second.

I tried Alexander’s number, but my call went unanswered.

Then, I called my mother. It took several rings, but she eventually picked up.

“Was the door code changed, Mom?”

The line went quiet for a bit before Teresa’s embarrassed voice came on.

“Huh?

“Oh, oh…. Yes, it was changed. Cass mentioned that the previous code was too easy to guess, so she changed it.

“Why have you gone home? Didn’t I book you a room at the hotel?”

“What’s the new code?”

Dismissing her questions, I went straight to the point.

“Um… Cass set the code. I’m not too sure myself. Why don’t you wait until I get back?”

“Mom.” I cut her off, my voice serene.

“I’m outside the apartment right now. Just tell me the code.

“Otherwise, I might have to call the locksmith right now.”

She stammered, probably picking up on my tone.

“Why do you have to be difficult?

“Fine. I’ll send you a text right now.”

A text message arrived once the call ended. The notification showed four digits—0105.

It was Alexander’s birthday.

Smiling to myself, I entered the numbers.

The door opened with a click.

The heat in the apartment was on full blast, a sharp contrast to the cold outside.

I checked the shoe rack for my house slippers, but they were nowhere to be found.

Even the two pairs of sneakers I had kept there were abandoned in the corner, gathering dust.

With my luggage in tow, I stepped inside.

While passing the master bedroom, I noticed something about the rug at the door.

It was decided that the master bedroom was reserved for my parents.

Since I worked out of town, I was happy with the smaller bedroom.

The other bedroom was supposed to be a temporary space for Alexander and Cass.

As it stood, the décor of the master bedroom wasn’t in my parents’ taste.

My bedroom was down the hallway, at the very end.

As I drew close, my heart pounded out of my chest.

I opened the door and froze.

My cozy oak bed was gone.

It was replaced by built-in cabinets in an off-white finish.

Every trace of my life, from books, awards, to pictures, was missing.

The space was now furnished with clothes, bags, and shoes.

My room in the apartment I had paid for had been converted into Cass’ walk-in closet.