Chapter 4

A flash of panic crossed Clara's face.

But when she saw my dad’s face, which was still twisted in anger at me, her confidence returned.

She tugged at his sleeve again, looking like an angel.

"I just don't want Chloe to get arrested. Even if she made a mistake, as her sister, I can just forgive her."

My dad’s temper flared instantly.

"What is that brat still playing at? Does she hate apologizing to Clara that much?"

"She thinks she can escape accountability by turning off her phone and hiding? Not a chance!"

My mom was equally furious.

"She’s doing this on purpose because she hates seeing us treat Clara well. She's using this 'missing' act to ruin our day!"

Listening to their venomous words, Ethan felt a loud buzzing in his ears.

He pointed at my parents, his voice cracking with emotion.

"Are you really her parents? How can you not care about your own flesh and blood?"

"It's been days! I haven't heard from her in days! Do you even care if she's alive?"

Tears finally streamed down Ethan's face.

My dad sneered. "We raised her, didn't we? Who does she think she is, throwing a fit like this?"

"Eleanor, call her again. Tell her if she isn't home in an hour, she is locked out forever!"

My mom furiously dialed my number again. Still, nothing.

"That little brat actually dares to ignore my calls!"

Just as they were about to launch into another round of curses, my dad’s phone rang.

Thinking it was me, he snatched it and prepared to yell.

But the voice on the other end was cold, official, and utterly detached.

"Hello, is this Robert Vance? This is the Rocky Mountain Police Department. We recovered a body from the avalanche zone four days ago. We need you to come down to the county morgue to identify the remains."

My dad froze, his voice suddenly hollow. "What did you say?"

The officer repeated the statement. My dad stood paralyzed, and his phone slipped from his hand, shattering on the tiled floor.