Chapter 4

Kyle's POV

Mom immediately retorted in embarrassment and anger, "What do you mean, your money? I paid for your food and clothes, so what's the big deal if I took some of your money? What an ingrate!"

That was different.

If our family were actually in financial trouble, I would've willingly contributed my money for emergencies.

But Mom had bought Kevin something he didn't really need.

I raised my voice. "You took it without asking me, so that's stealing! That's against the law!"

Natasha leaped up from her chair, pointing a finger in my face as she shouted, "Kyle, watch your mouth! What do you mean, stealing? She's our mother, for goodness' sake!"

Claire frowned as well. She said in her scolding tone, as she had always done to me, "Kyle, that's too extreme. You're family, so how can you call that stealing? Mrs. Winslow must have taken your money because she thinks it's not safe for a boy like you to have so much cash on hand.

"Moreover, Kev got into Whetford University, so it only makes sense for you to buy a congratulatory gift for your own brother!"

But it was my gift money that I had scrimped and saved for 18 whole years without spending even a single dime.

I had resisted the temptation to use any of it on toys, snacks, or even just a fancy beverage.

"Give it back." I stared at Mom, my eyes reddening. "Give me back my money."

Mom looked away guiltily, but she quickly doubled down. "I've spent it all! We've activated the phone, so we can't return it anymore! Also, with that horrible score of yours, you don't even have the right to have that much money in the first place!"

Kevin's eyes had reddened as he tugged at Mom's sleeve. "Mom, please stop arguing with Kyle. It's all my fault… Why don't we just sell the phone? I'll make up for the remaining amount with my gift money."

He said he would return the money, but he was subconsciously hiding the phone behind his back. I could tell from his tone that he didn't want to part with his new phone at all.

Mom immediately shielded him with her body, her heart aching for him. "Kyle, you've really gone too far this time! Go back to your room and reflect on your actions. You're not allowed to come out without my permission!"

Natasha stepped forward and dragged me toward my room.

"No! I didn't do anything wrong!" I struggled with all my might.

Claire was standing nearby, and she hastily grabbed my arm.

In the end, I was still dragged back to my room. The door slammed shut.

I leaned against the door and slowly slid to the floor.

On the other side of the door, I could hear voices comforting Mom and Kevin.

They were saying that Mom was right, and Kevin was innocent. They said I was the one in the wrong, and it was all my fault for being so selfish.

But Kevin had ten times the amount of gift money I had.

There was no reason for Mom to go behind my back and force me to sacrifice my money for him.

I curled up into a ball and wept quietly.

For the following week, to punish me for causing trouble, everyone pretended I didn't exist.

They didn't call me for dinner, and they always left the house without me.

They thought this would be torturous enough for me, and that I would apologize at the end of the day.

But I had been overlooked for the past 18 years. I was already used to being ignored.

Since there was still some time before the new semester began, I found a part-time job nearby.

No one cared when I went out or when I came home.

No one noticed that I was slowly removing every trace of myself in the house, either.

I recycled all my textbooks and scratch paper. The gifts Claire had given me and all the notes she had summarized for me were sent to a remote mountainous area.

After receiving the acceptance letter, I took one last look at my home.

When I was eight, I was forced to give up my room and had to move into our small storage room—all because Kevin needed a dedicated piano room for his practices.

The white walls of the house were decorated with nothing but Kevin's awards.

My awards were folded over and over, and in the end, they were shoved under a corner of a table to keep it from wobbling.

I didn't want to stay here any longer.

Grabbing my bags, I took a cab to the train station.

On my way there, I received countless calls. I figured they were urging me to attend the graduation party that was being held at the time.

I didn't answer a single one of them.

Kevin would be the only star of the show at the graduation party.

I didn't want to be a piece of background scenery as I listened to our relatives and friends taking turns to congratulate him, then shrug and try to humor me by saying half-heartedly, "Kyle got into college too, huh? That's great."

I blocked all their numbers, then boarded the train heading to Mallowpoint.

Once I left this place, I swore I would never see them again for the rest of my life.