Chapter 3

Mireille trotted back with the comb, wearing her usual sweet smile.

"All done. Let's hurry. The filing window really will close if we wait any longer."

She was the one who had stalled us from the beginning.

Yet the words made it sound as if I were to blame.

Julian leaned close and warned me under his breath.

"Cooperate. Don't upset Mireille again."

My parents stood on either side of her and motioned impatiently for me to join them.

I gritted my teeth and posed for another picture.

Mireille studied it, frowning harder and harder.

"Why does it still look wrong?"

Julian immediately leaned in to comfort her.

"What's wrong with it? We'll adjust it."

My parents crowded around too.

In seconds, I had been pushed outside their circle again.

Mireille stared at the photo, then gasped.

"I know! Elowen looks pale and exhausted. That's why the picture feels off."

She pulled a bottle of facial mist from her purse and walked toward me.

I checked the time.

5:53.

Seven minutes left.

I turned my face away and blocked her hand.

"Forget it. Sign the papers first."

The bottle fell and rolled across the floor.

Mireille stumbled back as if I had deeply wounded her, and tears sprang to her eyes.

"Elowen, I only wanted you to look more refreshed."

"You could've said you didn't like it. Why did you have to throw my things?"

Julian charged over, his face livid, and shoved me hard.

"Elowen, haven't you done enough?"

"You've rushed us nonstop since we got here. Mireille planned this whole welcome for you, and you repay her by bullying her?"

I staggered and nearly fell.

Mom wrapped Mireille in her arms instead, her face full of concern.

"She was only trying to help you freshen up. Why are you so angry?"

Dad picked up the bottle, his expression icy.

"Apologize to your sister."

I said nothing.

The rolling bottle struck my folder. Several pages slid across the rain-streaked, muddy entrance, staining their corners.

My nose burned as I stared down at them.

My attorney had prepared those guardianship papers.

Grandma and I had made countless trips to collect my birth certificate, the original guardianship order, and the family assessment documents.

Now they were filthy.

Julian followed my gaze and laughed without a trace of guilt.

"Serves you right."

"If you'd cooperated with Mireille, the picture would've been done already, and your precious papers wouldn't be on the floor."

He turned to comfort her.

"Don't be upset. It's only facial mist. I'll buy you another one."

Mireille hid behind him and looked at me timidly.

"I'm sorry, Elowen. I really didn't mean it."

She apologized, but there wasn't a flicker of panic in her eyes.

My fingers trembled around the ruined pages.

I didn't cry.

I walked straight past them toward the filing window.

Julian grabbed my wrist.

"Where are you going?"

I tore free.

"Five minutes."

"If you're willing to sign, come with me."

"If you aren't, don't interfere with my life again."