Violet's cold expression softened into this way-too-sweet look.

"Alright, does your hand still hurt? Wanna go to the hospital? Need to get it checked?"

Hazel caught up, chiming in. "Callum, I heard you like roses. Once we clear this patch of land, I'll fill it up with a rose garden for you. Sound good?"

There they were, doting on Callum like he was the center of their world. He glanced at me, raised a brow, and mouthed something.

"Loser."

Violet and Hazel? They completely forgot I'm allergic to pollen allergy.

For over 10 years, every time flowers were about to bloom, they'd go around and clear every single flowering plant in my space.

I just shut my eyes now and dragged myself over to Bucky's room. The place was a mess. Took forever, but I finally found his favorite pink ball.

By then, it was dark. I went to the front door, pressed my fingerprint—and nothing happened. That's when it hit me: someone had erased my access. Even the passcode was changed.

So, I called Violet. No answer. Called Hazel. Same deal.

Thought about crashing at a hotel, but my phone was dying, and the closest one was miles away.

Then, because fate's got a sense of humor, the rain started. First, a drizzle. Then it just poured down.

My clothes got soaked, and the cuts on my arm stung like hell. I curled up there, shivering.

Finally, right as dawn started creeping in, the front door cracked open. Violet tiptoed out.

Her eyes landed on me—curled up in a ball—and for a second, I thought I saw pity. But just as fast, her face twisted with disgust.

"Well, Henderson, look at you. Out all night?"

"What's this, some sad attempt to get our attention? Grow up, would you?"

My head felt heavy as I stared at her, barely recognizing her.

"I didn't… Someone deleted my fingerprint and changed the code. I tried calling. No one answered. I wasn't trying to stay out."

Violet rubbed her forehead, looking a little guilty.

"Callum was worried about the workers, so he changed the code."

"Go on, get inside."

I nodded, forced myself up, numb and aching, and headed in.

But just as I was almost in, she called out, "Henderson, we didn't mean it!"

She paused, then added, "But be quiet. Callum was up late. Don't wake him."

Something twisted inside me, but I just nodded.

Then she stopped me again, her face a mix of confusion and surprise.

"Henderson, aren't you gonna make a fuss? That's not like you…"

I forced a bitter smile and looked down. Only people who know they are cared for get to act entitled, knowing someone will take it. That used to be me—taking up space, claiming my spot.

But now, who was I even fighting for?

Ignoring the ache in my bones, I dragged myself to bed and let sleep take me.

Somewhere between sleep and waking, loud music and voices drifted in.

The next thing I knew, Callum was barging into my room and yanking my blanket off.

"Hey, dumbass! Get up! We're celebrating my friendship with Violet and Hazel for 20 days!"

20 days, huh? Guess 20 days were long enough to wipe out our 20 years...

My head was pounding, so I just pulled my hand back and knocked out cold.

No clue how long I was out when suddenly I heard this loud shout. I jerked awake, heart racing, and Callum was standing over my computer, looking at me with this fake apology crap.

"Hey, Violet said their old photos were saved here. She gave me the password and told me to come and check them myself."

Look, me and the Harland sisters? No secrets, not one. We've shared the same password for everything since we were kids, even for bank accounts.

But now? They just handed it to my stepbrother, letting him dig around in my stuff.

"But, uh… there's a problem. I think the computer's got a virus, like, everything's gone! I was freaking out and trying to restart it, but I... I accidentally spilled water all over it."

He kept saying sorry, but the look in his eyes? Total smugness, and maybe even a little daring.

That computer had years of my research, all my data—stuff I've put blood, sweat, and tears into—and just like that, it hit me, and my sleepiness was gone.

I jumped up, pushed Callum aside, and went straight for the computer to see if there was anything I could save.

But the whole thing looked like it had been dunked in water, sparks still popping out of the circuit board. The whole computer? Done. Fried.

"Who the hell said you could touch my computer?"

Callum stumbled back, hitting the edge of the desk, rubbing his head, and putting on this hurt, offended look like I'd actually done something to him.

"Bro, I didn't mean to! I'm really sorry. Just... Just hit me, punish me, whatever you want!"

Right then, the door swung open, and the Harland sisters were standing in the doorway.

"We did!"

Violet and Hazel rushed over, and in seconds, they were by his side, checking him over if he had injuries.

"Bro, I just wanted to see some of Violet and Hazel's old photos…"

"Are you seriously still mad about stuff that happened back when we were kids? I was just a stupid kid back then—I've grown up. Can't you let it go?"

Violet's face darkened, and her lips pressed tight.

"Henderson, can't you stop hanging on to old crap?"

"Back then, Callum was just a kid. Kids don't mean harm, but you're the one stuck on it, holding a grudge all these years!"

"Doesn't matter—Callum's your brother. Act like it. You look ridiculous!"

And these were the same people who used to swear they'd have my back if I ever came face to face with Callum and his dad. Now? They're on his side, against me.

They knew my deepest scars, yet they didn't hesitate to tear me open right where it hurts most.

"Violet, I'm feeling a bit dizzy…" Callum leaned on Violet's shoulder.

Violet's all concerned, holding him up. "Let's get you to the hospital now!"

And with that, she helped him out the door, practically dragging him.

The whole room was trashed, and Hazel stared at me, frowning, gripping my arm hard.

"Hey, look, we've given you over 20 years of love and loyalty. Why can't you let us care a bit about Callum, too?"

"Are you that jealous? Always wanting to take what's his?"

Take?

Callum's dad stole my mom's love from my dad, then Callum stole my mother's love from me, and now he's snatched away the Harland sisters' affection.

I've never had anything—what the hell is there for me to take?

Hazel's grip on my arm made my wound reopen. Blood slowly seeped through my sleeve, staining my pajamas red.

But she acted like she didn't even notice.

"That computer... That computer had five years' worth of my data and research—all the work I've poured into it! And he just destroyed everything! It's... it's all gone!"

I was so upset that I was shaking all over, and my voice was as cold as ice in the dead of winter.

"That's basically my life, and it's gone! All I'm asking for is an apology. Is that really too much to ask?"

But instead of understanding, Hazel just glared at me, her face full of fury.

"So what if it's a few research files? What, you think you're going to become some big-shot scientist? Oh, give me a break!"

"And you hurt Callum on purpose—he's been nice enough not to demand an apology from you!"

"Henderson, come on, you're his brother. Act like it for once and stop being so damn petty!"

And with that, she didn't spare me a single glance before running out after Callum and her sister.

I felt the blood trickling down my arm, dripping onto the floor and staining it with dark red blossoms.

She actually expected me to apologize to him.

He used my computer without my permission, and now I, the one who got screwed over, am supposed to say sorry?!

Damn. That hurt my chest like hell. But screw it. I might as well just start picking up the wreck that bastard left behind.

I couldn't help but look up at the calendar on the wall—only five more days until I'm out of here.

Damn. This feels like the longest week of my life!

That night, as I was packing, I got a call from an unknown number. A clear, calm voice came through the line.

"Hi. This is Verity Albright, the project lead. You have six days left. Use the time to say your goodbyes. If anything comes up, call me."

"Yeah, alright. I'll be ready to go on time."

At some point, Violet and Hazel came back without me realizing.

They overheard me saying "go," which got their attention.

"Where are you going?"

I kept my voice steady. "Just a business trip."

Their minds were clearly on Callum now, so my vague answer didn't bother them in the least.

They used to worry every time I went on a trip—always anxious that I'd have trouble eating or sleeping while I was gone. One of them would even usually clear their schedule to tag along.

Now, all I got was a quick, disinterested nod.

"Callum's feeling really sorry about today. You should try to comfort him when you get the chance."

I'd already lost count of how many times they'd disappointed me, but somehow, it still hurt every damn time.

I pulled out our childhood photo albums, every picture with the dates and memories I'd carefully written down. Back then, I thought one day we'd look back at them together when we were older. Now they just felt like a bad joke.

One by one, I just threw them all into the fire.

Day 3 of the countdown.

I went to the rooftop restaurant downtown.

On my 18th birthday, the Harland sisters set up a fireworks show that lit up the whole city, making sure everyone knew I was under their protection and that nobody could mess with me.

That night, they competed over who could pile more food onto my plate, stacking gifts in front of me until I could barely see over them. I'd never smiled so wide in my life.

Tonight, I ordered the same dishes, but everything tasted bitter.

Day 2 of the countdown.

I went back to the amusement park.

The day Dad suddenly jumped from that rooftop, my mother didn't waste a second. She had him cremated the same day and walked straight out with the death certificate to marry Callum's father.