Chapter 3

Duncan's homeroom teacher, Ronald Benson, looked taken aback.

"Duncan, applying to college through the regular admissions is still the safest route," he said, his expression turning serious. "This is a major decision. Have you discussed it with your parents?"

Duncan clenched his fists.

"Mr. Benson, languages aren't my strong suit, so getting into Kingswell University the normal way would be difficult. I placed second in the state math competition, and I want to see if I can use my results to qualify for admission instead…"

Ronald's expression softened. "It wouldn't be easy for you to leave your hometown and move to the city for school. Do your parents know about this?"

"They do."

"All right." Ronald nodded. "Write up a request and have your parents sign it. That'll be all you need."

Duncan's heart raced.

"Thank you, Mr. Benson," he said, nodding his head politely. "Goodbye."

As he left the office, his steps felt lighter. Soon, he'd be able to get away from Lucas and Brianna. He wouldn't have to return to that house anymore, where everyone treated him like he didn't exist.

He spent the afternoon working through practice problems in class, then forged Frank's signature on the form.

When he left school, the students returning from their field trip happened to arrive at the same time, each one wearing a smile.

Clutching his books, Duncan made his way through the crowd, feeling as though he didn't belong among them.

Then he heard someone call his name.

"Duncan!"

He looked up to see Brianna walking toward him, carrying a slice of strawberry cake.

"I'm sorry," she said when she reached him. "I promised I'd drive you to school."

Duncan didn't take the cake. Recognizing it as the kind Lucas liked, he shook his head. "Thanks, but there's no need."

Brianna's fingers tightened around the cake box, but she didn't insist. "Let me drive you home, then."

Duncan shook his head. "No, thanks."

Brianna had never met anyone so stubborn about refusing her help.

"Duncan, why are you so touchy?" she asked, half amused and half annoyed. "You're much more petty than Lucas. I'm genuinely trying to apologize."

"Brianna." He finally looked up at her, a trace of pain in his eyes. But his expression was firm. "Could you please stay away from me?"

…

When Duncan got home, nobody was there.

The housekeeper, Mariam Pratt, didn't seem keen on cooking an entire course just for him.

"Your parents went to see Lucas," she said dismissively. "I'll make you some pasta."

Duncan nodded. He hadn't eaten since breakfast, and he was hungry.

After quickly finishing the overcooked pasta, he returned to his room to pack. He was leaving for a six-month math training program and would need to bring enough clothes.

As he rummaged through the wardrobe, he found several letters tucked away at the very bottom. He paused, trying to remember where the letters had come from.

A year ago, the school had organized an anonymous pen-pal exchange. Everyone could leave a letter in a mailbox of their choice. Each mailbox had two keys, and anyone who chose the same one would exchange letters.

Through that activity, he'd made a good friend. He'd shared all the secrets he couldn't tell anyone else with that person.

His pen pal had comforted him and shared little stories from their everyday life in return. But eventually, Duncan lost his key, and the mailboxes were taken down.

He packed the letters along with his clothes, then worked through another practice test. Only afterward did he hear a car engine downstairs.

Frank and Catherine Norton were back.

When Duncan went downstairs, Catherine was entering with her arm linked through Frank's.

"Why does Lucas have to suffer so much?" Frank sighed. "If only Duncan had been the one to get sick instead…"

Duncan stopped in his tracks.

When he was little, Lucas' poor health had led his parents to send him to live with his grandmother, Nancy Williams, in a small town far away.

After Nancy passed away, Frank and Catherine still refused to bring him home. They doted on Lucas and didn't want anything to threaten his health.

It wasn't until the police called and warned them that leaving him without a caregiver after Nancy's death could count as child abandonment that they reluctantly took him back.

Back then, Duncan had thought he was finally returning to his family. He never imagined that, in this house, he'd always be an outsider.