Chapter 4

The basement was a gloomy, wet place that made me shiver from the cold. I could only wrap my arms around myself to try and stay warm.

At some point, my face started to feel hot. I must have had a fever, but I was too weak to yell for help. I drifted off and had fragmented dreams.

I dreamed about being little again, back before my parents adopted Becky and back when I was their only kid. Dad would laugh and let me ride on his shoulders, spinning me around, while Mom would snap lots of goofy photos.

Suddenly, it was young Becky on Dad's shoulders, and they looked like the perfect family. Meanwhile, I just watched from the side.

I dreamed about Ellison too, about the time he told me he liked me in high school. He was less sure of himself back then but just as serious. He handed me a love letter without a smile on his face.

Then, in a flash, Becky was holding his hand, and all I could see were their backs as I tried to catch up.

When I woke up, my face was wet with tears.

The door to the basement swung open, and the butler gave me a nod. "Ms. Gilbert, Mr. Gilbert says you've been punished enough. You can go now."

I dried my tears, hauled up my heavy body, and went straight to my room to pack. I was not just leaving the basement. I was leaving this house for good.

I did not want my last days to be filled with pain. I just wanted to find a quiet place to be alone and let go.

Mom saw me packing and said in a flat voice, "Ellison and Becky are already on their trip. It's too late for you to catch up with them now."

I stopped for a second, then turned and gave her a weak smile. "Sorry, but I want to go have some fun for a few days."

"Whatever you want. Why didn't you say so sooner? What was with the attitude? Just finish packing and leave quickly. I'm tired of seeing that gloomy face of yours." She did not see the strain in my smile and just teased me like always.

She did not know that her wish was about to come true. She would not have to see me or be bothered by me anymore.

I checked my phone, and there it was—Becky had posted a bunch of updates on her trip with Ellison. They had been to so many places—climbing mountains, watching the ocean, sharing drinks, and walking through forests...

I had been to some of those places with Ellison; others, I had not.

However, looking at those photos, I was not sad anymore. I even felt a little relieved.

Now, Ellison would only have memories with Becky.

As I stepped out with my suitcase, Mom was busy in the kitchen but threw out a, "Be careful and come back soon."

I felt a lump in my throat but managed not to cry.

She always said that when I left. However, she did not know that this time, I was not coming back.