This New Year's Eve Is My Last With You

The moment I stepped through the front door, the warm light in the entryway fell over me, but I didn't feel the slightest bit of warmth. The chill buried deep in my bones was still creeping into every inch of my body.

Ethan Norton, my brother who was two years older than me, was the first to greet me. He wore an awkward smile as he reached out to put an arm around my shoulders.

He said, "Eva, you're finally home. I haven't seen you in two weeks. I missed you."

The moment his hand rose halfway, something in my head snapped. The rules from the program were carved into my bones like an unshakeable curse. Each word pounded against my eardrums painfully.

I reflexively said, "Physical contact with the opposite sex is a grave mistake."

It was as if I'd been burned by a red-hot iron. I jerked backward until my back slammed hard against the cold wall. Only when the solid surface pressed against my spine did I finally manage to find a shred of security.

The icy wall dug painfully into my shoulder blades, but I didn't dare move. I gripped the edge of my scarf with both hands, my knuckles turning white as my whole body shook like a leaf.

Dad's gaze swept over me. Surprise flashed through his eyes first, followed by a hint of barely concealed pride.

He waved his hand dismissively and spoke in a casual tone. "Eva just finished learning the rules at the boot camp. Don't startle her."

Ethan's hand froze in midair. The smile faded from his eyes. He pressed his lips together, silently taking two steps back to put some distance between us.

He looked at me, his voice gentler now. "I knew you were coming home today, so I got you a present. Take a look and see if you like it."

As he spoke, he pulled a card from his pocket and held it out to me. It was a signed photo of the male singer I'd once been a huge fan of. The man in the photo had a dazzling smile, but now, all I could see was something painfully glaring.

The instructor at the program had said that being obsessed with male celebrities was sinful, as those were impure thoughts. It was the beginning of moral corruption. I'd stopped myself from liking him long ago. Even hearing his name now made me feel like I'd done something wrong.

"Thanks, Ethan, but I don't want it," I replied.

Ethan's hand paused midair yet again. The disappointment in his eyes nearly spilled over as he held the signed photo tighter, his fingertips turning slightly white.

Mom hurried over and gently patted my back, her voice soft and gentle. "It's okay. It's just a photo. If you don't like it, you don't have to keep it. If there's something you like later, we'll have Ethan buy it for you."

Dad nodded in agreement. "It's fine. I know you're a good girl now. It's okay to keep it. That doesn't count as breaking any rules."

But I still shook my head, digging my fingernails into my palm without daring to look up. The more they acted this way, the colder I felt inside. They were the ones who had sent me to that hell. But now, they were pretending to be loving and gentle parents.