Chapter 4

Mom and Dad told me to reflect on why I had spoken to them in such a harsh tone.

Previously, I used to be terrified of being locked in here and making a mistake that would disappoint them. But I now understood that I was never the one at fault. It was just that they were used to holding power over me.

Lying on the cold floor, I scrolled through funny videos my classmates had shared in the group chat, then fell asleep without a care.

I didn't know how much time passed before the ringing of my phone woke me up.

It was Mom. Her voice was soft, but her tone was accusing as she said, "Aster, Ms. Decker explained to us that she bought the dress for you, so it was indeed a misunderstanding on our part. But why didn't you speak up in your own defense?

"Did you want us to feel guilty on purpose? Selene was so upset, thinking she had caused us to misunderstand you, that she didn't even eat breakfast. To help her feel better, we're taking her on a trip abroad.

"Spend these next few days at home alone and really think about what you've done." Mom paused, then added, "We'll bring you a gift when we come back."

After hanging up the phone, I couldn't help but laugh. What was that last remark supposed to be? An olive branch? Comfort? Or compensation born from guilt?

Whatever it was, it didn't matter anymore.

The moment William tore my dress, whatever remained of my hope for this family vanished completely. Perhaps it was for the best.

Actually, it was good that they weren't here, as it saved me a lot of trouble. In the last few days I had left, I could quietly erase every trace of myself from this house.

12 days before leaving the country, I burned the little notebook where I had recorded my family's preferences and tastes to ashes. From now on, I would never have to study them so carefully again.

Seven days before leaving, I permanently deleted the dozens of gigabytes of rare music resources I had collected for William from my computer.

Five days before leaving, I threw all the magnesium lotion I had made for Mom and Dad into the toilet.

Three days before leaving, I gathered all the evidence of Selene's bullying and schemes against me over the years. Then, I handed it to Ms. Decker, asking her to give it to Mom and Dad when the time was right.

The day before I was set to leave, I packed what little belongings I had.

Mom and Dad had never bought me much, so everything I brought with me three years ago was all I had left. In other words, nothing had changed.

The small room they had begrudgingly given me looked exactly the same as it did when I arrived three years ago, and it would remain the same after I left.

On the morning of my departure, Mom, Dad, William, and Selene finally returned from their trip. As soon as Selene walked in, she handed me a small box with her usual cheerful smile.

"Aster, I'm so sorry. We were in a bit of a rush, so we only got you this."

I glanced down. The so-called gift turned out to be her half-eaten, long-cold in-flight meal.

I scoffed and tossed it straight into the trash.

Dad's expression darkened immediately. "Aster, what have you been reflecting on all these days at home? Is this how you respond to Selene's kindness?"

William chimed in, pulling Selene closer, "It was just a misunderstanding over something small back then. Do you really have to hold a grudge this long? We were just worried you'd go down the wrong path!"

"William, it's okay. If Aster doesn't like it, I'll buy her something else next time. Or I can go buy something for her right—"

Before Selene could finish speaking, Mom, who had just gone upstairs to put away her luggage, came running back down. Her eyes red, she grabbed my shoulders and demanded, "Aster, what happened to your room? Why is it empty? Where did everything go?"