Chapter 2

Liam's POV

After I finished eating, I went back to my parents' apartment complex. I stood outside their building and counted the floors, one by one.

The window on the left side of the third floor was glowing.

Mom had always told me the bigger bedroom had been ruined by a leak. The flooring was damaged, she'd said, so they kept the room shut.

That was why whenever I came to stay with them, I slept on the couch.

So, the room could be occupied after all. It just wasn't meant for me.

I waited outside for a long time until one of the residents unlocked the security door. Then, I slipped inside behind them.

As I approached my parents' apartment, I heard a boy laughing loudly on the other side of the door.

I rang the bell.

Mom answered. The moment she saw me, her eyes went wide with shock. "Liam? What are you doing here?"

She didn't open the door all the way. Instead, she stood squarely in the entrance, blocking my view inside. "I thought we agreed you would spend the holiday with Grandma. Your dad and I are really busy these next couple of days. We won't have time to look after you."

"I don't need you to look after me."

Mom opened her mouth to respond, but before she could, a voice called from somewhere behind her, "Mommy, who's at the door?"

Mom stiffened.

I looked straight into her eyes. "Who is he?"

She must've realized there was no point hiding it anymore, because after a moment, she let out a sigh. "He's… your little brother. His name is Lucas."

Lucas came running over and stared at me curiously. "Are you my cousin or something?"

I didn't answer.

He lost interest almost immediately. "Well, welcome to my house, I guess."

Then, he wandered back to the television.

Something sharp twisted deep in my chest.

Even Mom seemed uncomfortable. She stepped aside at last and told me to come in.

And that was when I saw it. The bedroom that had always been locked whenever I visited was wide open.

The walls were painted blue. The window seat was covered with superhero figures, toy cars, and action sets. Then, I noticed a glass display cabinet. I was filled with all those toys that came with kids' meals.

I stared at them. Not a single duplicate.

"Mom." My voice came out dry and hoarse.

Lucas immediately whipped around from the television. "Don't you have your own mom? Why are you trying to steal mine?"

Mom quickly grabbed Lucas before he could come at me. "Lucas, stop it. Don't say things like that. Liam is my son too. He's your big brother."

"I don't want a brother! I'm your only kid!" Lucas burst into tears. "I don't have a brother! Make him leave!"

Dad came out of this office at the commotion. When he saw me, he froze for a second. Then, Lucas let out another wail, and Dad immediately hurried over to comfort him.

"Hey, don't cry. Come on. I'll play a game with you. Your brother hardly ever gets to visit…"

"No! I don't want him here! Make him go!"

Lucas was crying so hard he could barely catch his breath. Dad quickly scooped him up and patted his back over and over.

Mom crowded around them too, wiping the tears from his cheeks. "There, there. It's okay. Don't cry. I'll take you to the amusement park tomorrow, okay?"

I stood a few feet away, watching them and feeling lost.

This was supposed to be my home too. But somehow, I was the one who felt like an intruder. It was like I'd broken into someone else's house and ruined their happy little family just by showing up.