Chapter 3

When I went back to my parents' house, the passcode to the front door had been changed.

I couldn't unlock it.

Half an hour later, Mom came back carrying heavy grocery bags.

I glanced inside—everything was Sierra's favorites.

She looked at me in surprise.

"What are you doing here?"

Without waiting for my answer, she punched in the code.

It was Sierra's birthday.

At dinner, Julian and Sierra sat on either side of my parents.

Sierra smiled sweetly. "Serena, why don't you sit by the door?"

"That way it's easier for you to pour us water."

I looked at Julian.

He was busy piling food onto Sierra's plate and didn't spare me a glance.

I nodded and sat down in the corner.

The table was filled with laughter.

Mom beamed. "Julian, you're such a wonderful man."

"What a shame... If only the one you were marrying was our Cece..."

Sierra blushed, and her hand shook, spilling hot soup straight onto my arm.

I jumped to my feet.

A burning, blistering sting flared up, and ugly red bubbles quickly rose on my skin.

The very next second, Julian grabbed a wet cloth and gently wrapped Sierra's slightly pink pinky finger.

Mom shot me a glare full of disgust.

"Always so clumsy!"

"Whenever you're around, nobody gets a peaceful meal!"

Mom dug out burn ointment for Sierra, and Dad hovered over her nervously.

Not a single person cared about my blistering arm.

A bitter wave washed over my chest. I asked quietly,

"Mom, Dad, am I really your daughter?"

Mom's face tightened, and she shrieked to cover her guilt:

"What kind of nonsense is that?!"

"Did we ever starve you or leave you naked growing up? You ungrateful brat!"

Dad's face darkened, and he raised his hand to slap me.

The blow never landed.

Julian stepped in front of me, sighing in exasperation.

"Mr. and Mrs. Vance, Serena didn't mean it."

"Serena, apologize right now."

I ignored them, grabbed my purse, and walked out.

Mom's furious voice echoed down the stairwell behind me: "Leave and don't ever come back!"

"Our Cece is the sensible one! Why couldn't it have been that ungrateful wretch who got stolen back then?!"

I leaned against the wall outside, a suffocating pain gripping my chest.

Downstairs, a hand opened the passenger door before I could touch it.

Julian looked at me. "Cece is having cramps, so I'm taking her to the pharmacy for meds."

"I'll take you to get your arm wrapped up while we're at it."

Sierra slid into the front seat.

"You don't mind, do you, Serena? Whenever Julian drove me to work, I always sat in the front."

Julian chimed in,

"Serena, you've sat in the front seat countless times. Let Cece have it for once."

"Be good. You can sit here next time."

I didn't say a word and got into the back.

The entire ride, the two of them talked nonstop.

They discussed the romance movie they had watched together last week and debated the heroine's views on love.

I looked out the window.

That movie was one I had wanted to see for months.

That day, Julian had graciously driven me to work.

When he came home, he had said casually:

"I'm taking Cece to the movies tonight. I drove you to work this morning, so that makes us even."

"Don't cause a scene. I always treat both of you equally."

Sierra suddenly wrinkled her nose. "What is that awful smell in the car?"

Her eyes landed on the scorched, stained hem of my dress.

The car screeched to a halt. Julian was already outside, holding my door open.

"There's a pharmacy about a hundred yards ahead."

"Serena, you're way stronger than Cece. Walk the rest of the way."

The words *This is my car* died on my tongue.

I stepped out.

The car sped away instantly.

The cold night wind stung my face.

I stood there on the curb until my phone buzzed with an automated alert:

"Your abortion procedure has been confirmed for tomorrow morning."