Chapter 3

By the time I returned to the Hayes' estate, the tea party had dispersed.

Vivian saw I was alone, her face fell, and her voice held a note of accusation: "Chloe, why didn't you bring Lucas back with you?"

It was as if I had intentionally abandoned him outside. Yet she knew perfectly well that Lucas did whatever he pleased, accountable to no one.

It used to make me feel small, wronged, but mostly anxious, terrified of displeasing her. Now, I simply stated the fact, my voice even: "He didn't want to come back."

"Even if he didn't want to, you should have persuaded him! You know his health isn't great."

"Who was he with? Why didn't you stay there and wait for him?"

I lowered my eyes, unwilling to argue with her. "Just his usual friends, and Brittany."

At Brittany's name, Vivian's expression softened instantly.

"Brittany was there? Oh, that’s nice." Then, as if suddenly remembering something, her brows furrowed as she shot me a quick glance. I knew exactly what she was thinking: that my presence might upset Brittany.

I didn't react with my usual anxious compliance when she was displeased. I simply changed my shoes and went to my room to pack.

I had very few belongings at the Hayes' estate. What needed to be tossed, I tossed; what needed to be discarded, I discarded. What remained fit perfectly into a 28-inch suitcase.

Only one thing, I didn't know what to do with. It was a teddy bear in a brown dress, a gift Lucas had given me the day my grandma passed away.

The young Lucas had gently pulled me into his arms, his voice a low, rough murmur: "Chloe, don't be sad."

"I'll take care of you from now on."

It was an embrace and a promise born out of pity, yet I had foolishly believed it was proof of Lucas's special feelings for me.

The bear seemed to stare back at me, mocking my foolish, self-deluded heart.

I’d originally thought of returning it to Lucas, but then I realized, knowing his temperament, he’d simply toss it into the trash without a second thought.