Chapter 2

"Is Nora still mad at me?"

Chloe’s tearful voice drifted from downstairs.

"Ignore her! She’s always been like this—spiteful, never able to stand seeing you happy," my mother sneered.

"You’re Mia’s mother now. You don’t need to walk on eggshells around her."

"But... Mia still seems to want Nora."

"Don't overthink it. You're Mia's only mother."

I shut the bedroom door, cutting off the noise.

The room was a mess. The parenting books on my nightstand were gone, replaced by Chloe's curated display of collectible designer dolls.

Half my closet had been cleared out to hang Chloe’s vibrant dresses.

I walked to the vanity and pulled open the bottom drawer for my ID and documents.

A sharp pain stabbed my right ear.

I took the antibiotics given by the jail clinic and swallowed them dry.

The door opened.

Julian walked in carrying the bowl of pork stew, shutting the door behind him.

"Why didn't you come down to eat?"

He came up behind me, habitually reaching to wrap his arms around my waist.

I sidestepped his touch.

His hands froze in midair, his forehead creasing.

"Still sulking?"

"Nora, you were never this petty."

"I'm not angry," I muttered numbly, shaking my head.

"Then finish the soup." He pointed at the greasy bowl.

"Chloe made it herself. Her wrists are still bandaged, but she stood in the kitchen all afternoon just to welcome you home."

"I said, I don't want it."

Julian's expression darkened.

"Do you really have to be so hostile?"

"Every day you spent in that cell, Chloe drowned in guilt! She couldn't even take sleeping pills because she was terrified of having nightmares about you suffering!"

"So?" I looked straight into his eyes.

"Should I drop to my knees and thank her for putting me in jail?"

Julian took a deep breath, forcing down his temper.

"What happened at the hospital was a misunderstanding. You charged in with your hair disheveled and wild. Mom and Dad didn't recognize you, and I panicked..."

"You panicked, so you kicked me down the stairs and accused me of being a child kidnapper?"

A flicker of guilt flashed in Julian’s eyes.

"I didn't mean to. Chloe had just been diagnosed with severe depression. My mind was completely overwhelmed."

"Besides, you came back in one piece, didn't you?"

In one piece.

I touched the bandage on my forehead.

His kick had sent me tumbling down the concrete steps.

Blood had blinded my eyes as I begged my mother to save Mia.

And my mother had kicked me away, screaming to the crowd that she didn't know me.

"Alright, it's in the past. Stop dragging it up."

Seeing my silence, Julian pulled a velvet box from his pocket and offered it to me.

"There's an executive overseas training spot opening next month. I originally planned to give it to you."

"But given Chloe's mental state, she needs a change of scenery. I gave it to her."

Inside the box was an older-model designer bracelet, noticeably too small.

"This is to make it up to you. Come on, stop making a fuss."

I stared at the bracelet without reaching out.

It was the exact piece Chloe had complained about on Ins last month, whining that her wrists were too thick to wear it.

"What? You don't like it?" Julian asked, his patience wearing thin.

I reached out and took the box.

Julian sighed in relief and ruffled my hair.

"Good girl. Be sensible, and life will be easier for everyone."

He turned toward the door, then paused as if remembering something.

"By the way, Mia has been crying through the night lately, and Chloe can't stay up late in her condition."

"Sleep in the guest room tonight. Don't wake them."

The door clicked shut.

I tossed the velvet box straight into the trash can.

Pulling out my phone, I booked a one-way flight to Switzerland three days from now.

There was a specialized hospital there for nerve deafness.

I didn't need his training spot, nor his hand-me-down jewelry.

All I wanted was to disappear.