Chapter 4

Back home, I sifted through the keepsakes Shane had given me over the years.

The silver necklace, my eighteenth birthday gift, gleamed under the light. I'd worn it to school once, proud as anything, until I saw an identical one around Esther's neck.

She'd blushed, saying, "Shane promised I'd have everything you have."

The limited-edition Teddy Bear was just an empty box now.

Shane had taken it, claiming he loved the perfume I'd sprayed on it, but the very next day, it was sitting on Esther's desk.

Then there were the strappy heels from my coming-of-age party, the indigo-scented oil... Everything I thought was mine alone had been handed out like cheap trinkets.

Worse, it wasn't even equal.

A bitter smile tugged at my lips as I recalled Shane's endless doting on Esther, always taking her side. If that was how he wanted it, these relics could go straight to the dumpster.

I booked a flight for the next day, ready to spend my last night in quiet reflection.

At 2 a.m., my phone blared, jolting me from a hazy dream. I answered groggily, but the line was silent.

Just as I was about to hang up, Shane's voice came through, heavy and low. "Alice, I'm sorry."

My brain snapped awake. 'Is he finally coming clean?'

But then, he said, "Esther hurt herself. I can't leave her alone, so I'm delaying the transfer."

That spark of hope crashed and burned, leaving me feeling like a fool. I wanted to scream at him and demand answers to the pain I suffered from his fake bullying.

Oblivious, he continued, "Just say sorry."

I was stunned. "What?"

He doubled down, his tone firm. "You need to apologize to Esther. She hurt herself because of you."

I was speechless, but then it all made sense. With Esther around, every word I said was wrong.

Shane's voice turned colder than a winter storm. "You're so disappointing. If you say sorry, we can pretend this never happened. In two months, I'll join you at the new school. Are you really going to throw away our years of friendship over this?"

His words carried a sharp threat, but I felt no pain or reluctance. There was only annoyance.

I hung up, blocked his number, and deleted it from my phone. I couldn't wait to board that plane.

The world abroad felt vibrant, like a fresh canvas.

Someone grabbed my suitcase, and I looked up into Stanley Rossi's eyes. He grinned, "Alice, long time no see."

I shook his hand, a genuine smile breaking through. "Good to see you, Stanley."

My phone buzzed, cutting through the moment. It was one of Shane's friends.

When I answered, Shane's voice came through, laced with panic. "Alice, which class did you transfer to? Why is everyone saying they haven't seen you?"