Chapter 4

Losing all composure, I rushed straight at John, glowering and holding out my hand at him as everyone watched in surprise.

"Give it back."

There was guilt in John's eyes, and he promptly leaped behind Bea while Tim glared at me in annoyance. "What's your problem?!"

I ignored him, my eyes red and teary as I stubbornly glared at John. "I said give it back!"

However, yelling myself hoarse only made John angry, and he looked up at me. "This isn't fair! Grandfather gave you a pendant but not me! I just want my fairness!"

"Fairness?!" I bellowed, my voice shaking from rage as I vented all my frustrations. "Since we were kids, every gift received has been split between you and Jane! This is the first time I've ever received anything! And you call that fair?!"

John flushed as he couldn't argue, but that was when Jane rushed up, snatching the pendant off John's neck.

Then, as I looked on in shock and despair, it shattered into countless pieces while Jane leered at me in disgust. "There, done. It's gone, and none of us will have it. Are you happy now?"

Even before I could snap back, Bea slapped me viciously across the face. "That's enough from you!"

Wobbling, I almost lost my balance.

Even as I clutched my face, turning to her in disbelief, I saw the cold disappointment in her dark expression.

Then, perhaps realizing that a public outburst at a child was embarrassing, she turned to vent her rage at Grandfather. "Dad! I told you that you shouldn't interfere with my kids!"

Grandfather wobbled as he stood in the crowd, cringing like a child caught misbehaving.

Even though physical pain and heartache threatened to vanquish my rationality, I took a while to find my voice.

"Don't blame Grandfather," I said, my voice soft and low. "It's all my fault—I should never have argued. And I won't ever again."

I was smiling at my parents, but I couldn't stop my tears, which stung even more as they flowed over my slapped cheek.

Still, I asked an attendant for a broom to clean up, carefully picking up the pieces and putting them into a bag.

While I worked, Tim told Bea awkwardly, "Hey, we are actually short of one seat. Should we add another?"

Bea couldn't care less as she raised her voice. "We're one short? Then tell you-know-who to leave. What, does he have the cheek to stay after he ruined such a nice party?"

I could feel all my relatives staring daggers at me, but I didn't cry this time.

Instead, I made my way to the door, feeling numb as I carried the pieces of the star pendant.

Once I reached home, I packed everything up at top speed and asked Mr. Ackles for a loan, buying the next flight to Ordelia.

Mr. Ackles was a little worried. "Is there a problem? Should I inform your family?"

I was already at the airport with all my luggage.

Chuckling wryly at the question, I replied, "That's not necessary. I don't even have a family."

As I finished, the boarding announcement rang from the speakers.

Holding on tight to the pieces of my pendant, I left without looking back.