Chapter 22

“Five more minutes.”

Only the rustling of papers and scribbling of pens could be heard. It was the last day of their finals.

Ethan was already done with his exam. He leaned back and turned to Lily. Her head was bent over as she wrote, brows furrowed in concentration. A stray lock fell into her eyes, the strands looking golden in the sunlight. She quickly tucked it behind her ear.

She was so beautiful.

The bell rang, jolting him out of his thoughts and signaling the end of the exam.

“Please pass your papers to the front.”

Cheers scraped against the floor as students moved. The atmosphere buzzed with excitement, different from the seriousness a few minutes ago

After all the scripts were collected and counted, their homeroom teacher looked up. His gaze scanned the class– as if memorizing their faces. His eyes shone with moisture.

Then, he gave a small bow.

“Thank you for an amazing four years,” he said, his tone softening. “I wish you all the best in your future endeavors. This is just the start.”

The class cheered and clapped. “Thank you, sir,” and “We’ll miss you,” echoed in the class.

Mr. Riley gave them a tearful smile as he walked out.

The four of them— Ethan, Lily, Chloe, and Miles— spent the rest of the day taking pictures and walking around the school, reminiscing about the time they had spent there.

These hallways were now going to be a part of their past.

All that was left was their graduation party.

Ethan, Lily, and Miles got down and said their goodbyes to Chole, who was still in the car.

“Dress to the nines tomorrow,” Chloe called out. “And don’t be late.” She stared pointedly at Miles.

Miles raised an eyebrow. "Why are you looking at me?"

“You guys, Chloe is bullying me.”

Lily laughed, holding Ethan’s hand as she led him across the street. “I didn’t hear anything.”

Tomorrow was Lily’s birthday, and there was going to be a party at her house— a joint party for her birthday and a celebration for the four of them finishing high school.

The perfect end to their high school journey.

When Ethan arrived at his house, he felt an odd tension in the air. The house staff he passed on the way to his room were giving him strange looks and speaking in hushed tones.

He ignored them.

Stepping into his bedroom, his movements came to a halt.

His stepmom was sitting on his bed, holding the scarf Lily had knitted for him.

“What are you doing here?” He asked, his voice laced with anger.

She slowly turned to him, carelessly letting the scarf fall to the floor.

“This is my house, Ethan dear. I can go anywhere I want.”

His jaw tightened.

“And this is my room. Please leave.”

She smiled, unbothered by the glare he was shooting her.

“You’re eighteen now. An adult. It’s time for you to live on your own.”

Ethan didn't reply.

He stood in place, his fingers digging into his palm.

“Your father left all of his assets to me. I have already done more than enough by letting you live here for so long since you are— my son. But even the baby bird has to leave the nest.”

Her son?

Does she deserve it?

He wasn’t interested in playing family with her.

“Of course, you don’t have to leave today.” She added lightly, standing up and tucking her hair behind her ear. “I just wanted to give you the heads-up. Don’t worry, I’ll give you enough money to last you for a while. I have that much change to spare.”

She walked past him, shooting him a smile when she reached him and closed the door behind her.

Ethan exhaled sharply. He walked to his bed to pick up the scarf from the floor, dusting it.

His father leaving his assets to her didn’t surprise Ethan.

He expected it.

She was his wife.

But the house.

How could he do that?

This was his mother’s home— their home.

Ethan smiled bitterly.

No, it wasn’t anymore.

Not since his father betrayed his mother in this very house.

It was indeed time he left.

Ethan pulled out a suitcase from the closet, and he only picked out a few clothes.

Taking only what he needed.

At the bottom of the suitcase, he placed the jewery box–the one that held all his mother’s jewlery. Over it, he placed his neatly folded clothes. Finally, he folded the blue scarf from Lily on top. After putting all his other essentials in the suitcase, he zipped it closed.

When he was done. he picked up his backpack and slipped his laptop and headphones in his backpack.

From under his pillow he pulled out a small envelope— inside was the ruby necklace.

Then, gripping it tightly, he tucked it into the front pocket of his backpack.

Picking up his luggage, he walked to the door.

He looked around his room one last time. This was the room he had slept in all his life.

With a sigh, he shut the door as he stepped out.

As he walked down the stairs, the staff whispers of the staff followed him, some peeking out as if to watch a show. He ignored them.

His stepmother was at the bottom, overseeing some workers as they moved furniture.

His grip tightened around the handle of his suitcase.

Her gaze flickered to the suitcase in his hand, then back to his face.

“Ethan dear, where are you going?” She asked, feigning surprise.

“Isn’t Lily’s birthday tomorrow? Or are you moving to her house? As a man—”

“None of your business,” Ethan snapped.

“Living expenses,” she said smoothly, handing a wad of cash to him. “It’s quite a pretty sum.”

Ethan's gaze went to her face, taking in the mocking sneer it held.

“I don't need it.”

He turned, dragging his suitcase toward the front door.

“You can’t come back later and say I mistreated you,” she called after him. “You’re the one who moved out.”

But Ethan just kept walking.

He didn’t look back.

He didn’t stop.

On Monday, he would be on a plane to England.