Chapter 3

The car screeched to a violent halt. The seatbelt snapped tight against my chest, tearing open my fresh stitches. Warm blood seeped into the bandages.

Carter turned to me, his eyes bloodshot, yelling, "No! I won't allow it!"

I gritted my teeth against the searing pain, carefully unbuckling the belt.

"Why not? It's just a clinical trial."

I glanced in the rearview mirror and urged, "Keep driving. You can't stop in the middle of the road."

He gave me a long, dark look before hitting the gas amidst a chorus of angry honks.

Several times he started to say something, but swallowed his words whenever he saw my eyes closed and my face turned toward the window.

When the car finally pulled up to the house—the home I had longed for over the past three years—all I felt was dread.

Standing behind me, Carter asked irritably, "Why aren't you going in? Do you expect your parents to roll out the red carpet for you?"

I clenched my hands, took a deep breath, and stepped inside.

The home I had lived in for over twenty years had turned into a stranger's house.

The SpongeBob plushie by the entryway had been replaced with sleek, expensive decor.

The family portrait in the living room had been swapped out for one of my parents with Chloe.

Mom came out of the kitchen carrying a dish. When she saw me, an unnatural stiffness crossed her face.

"You're back," she said dryly. "Sit down. Dinner's almost ready."

Without another word, she turned back to the kitchen.

The word "Mom" died on my tongue.

Carter followed her in. The sound of their easy laughter and banter drifted out, stinging my eyes.

It felt like an invisible barrier had sealed them inside and locked me out.

I stood there for what felt like an eternity, until a familiar voice spoke behind me.

"Why aren't you sitting down?"

"D-Dad..."

It was the most natural word in the world, yet it felt heavy and foreign on my tongue.

Dad gave a brief nod, his gaze drifting uncomfortably past my chest.

"Now that you're home, just focus on recovering. With us here, you don't need to worry about anything else."

A bitter taste filled my mouth.

Does that include my wedding?

For a fleeting second, I wanted to scream, to ask if I was still his daughter, why they had handed my wedding over to Chloe.

But looking at the gray hair at his temples, I fell silent.

Chloe walked over, wrapping her arm naturally around Dad's.

"Uncle, what are you and Summer whispering about?"

Dad scolded her affectionately, "Look at you, showing no respect to your elders."

I stood there awkwardly.

Chloe looked infinitely more like his daughter than I did.

The dinner table was filled with all my favorite dishes, yet the people I loved never looked at me once.

Halfway through the meal, Chloe put down her fork. "Uncle, Auntie, now that Summer is back, I should probably move back to my own place."

The smiles instantly vanished from my parents' faces.

Mom grabbed her hand frantically. "Why leave all of a sudden? Did Summer say something to you?"

I froze, my fork clattering onto the ceramic plate.

Dad barked in anger, "This is my house! I say you stay, and nobody has the right to kick you out!"

Carter turned to glare at me, his brow furrowed. "Summer, everyone has been more than good to you. Stop making us regret it."

I opened my mouth, but not a single sound came out.

The room plunged into freezing silence.

Finally, Dad let out a heavy sigh. "Summer, your mother and I are getting older. We need someone around to look after us. And with your condition..."

I bit down hard on my lower lip until the metallic taste of blood filled my mouth. Only then did I force a smile and nod.

"It works out then. I already applied for an experimental breast cancer trial overseas. With Chloe here taking care of you, I don't have to worry."