Chapter 4

Seeing my silence, Dad pushed the lone burger and fries toward me. "Eat up, son. You're so skinny. You need your strength."

I forced a faint smile. Eating one cheap meal a day, how could I not be skinny?

If you care so much, why lie to me? Why fake terminal cancer? Why force me to drop out of school when you knew how desperately I wanted an education?

"Mom, Dad... I want to go to college."

They exchanged a brief glance. A hint of disdain flashed in their eyes.

"Leo," Mom sighed, "you’re just not cut out for academics."

"Did you forget your SAT score?" Dad added softly.

They actually dared to bring up the SATs.

On the morning of my test, Dad faked a sudden cardiac arrest.

I abandoned my exam halfway through and sprinted home, only to find the apartment completely empty.

They texted saying they were in the ER. When I arrived, they claimed they had been transferred to another hospital. By the time I finally tracked them down, the exam window had closed.

Dad had brushed it off casually: "The doctors stabilized me, don't worry."

They had destroyed my future without a second thought.

"Eat, Leo. Don't let it get cold," Mom urged.

The burger tasted like ash in my mouth.

Less than thirty minutes in, Mom's phone rang.

Panic flashed across her face as she rejected the call. "Ugh, these telemarketers are so annoying."

The phone buzzed again immediately.

She forced an awkward laugh and stepped away to answer.

When she returned, her face was pale. She gave Dad a loaded look. "The clinic just called. They need Dad in for an emergency scan right away."

I pretended to panic. "Mom, let me come with you!"

"No!" Both of them blurted out, waving their hands frantically.

"You work so hard every day. Go home and rest," Dad insisted. "One of us has to keep earning."

"Today is my only day off in four years," I choked out, tears finally breaking free. I stared at them, pleading. "Can't you just stay with me for one afternoon?"

My pathetic begging seemed to shake them slightly.

"Well... maybe we can stay another ten minutes—" Dad began.

Mom's phone chimed again. Dad glanced at the screen, and both of their faces went white.

"Leo, you're an adult now! Stop being so selfish!" Mom snapped, her patience completely snapping. "You need to understand priorities! Your dad's doctor is waiting!"

I grabbed her sleeve, humiliating myself like a stray begging for scraps. "Can't you just finish celebrating my birthday? Just this once?"

Mom shoved my hand away in disgust. Her sharp fingernails scraped across the back of my hand, leaving a stinging red scratch.

"Birthdays happen every year! What’s so damn important about one stupid birthday? Leo, you are completely unreasonable!"

With that, they practically ran out the door.

Am I really that repulsive to you?

You couldn't even stand to look at me for one more minute.

I am your flesh and blood.

Why couldn't you give me even a crumb of love?

I sat alone in the booth, burying my face in my hands, sobbing uncontrollably.

"If you still want to pursue your studies, I can fund your entire education."

A composed voice startled me.

I looked up. An elderly woman with elegant posture sat across from me. Beneath her cashmere coat, I recognized her silver hair—it was the woman I had pulled from the blizzard last night.

"My research lab requires a ten-year, fully confidential commitment," she said gently. "Think it over before you answer."

My phone buzzed in my pocket with a text from an unknown number.

[I just told Mom and Dad I twisted my ankle, and they left you instantly. Who cares if you share their blood? In their hearts, you'll never measure up to me!]

Austin.

My hand trembled. For once in my life, I wanted to test them.

I typed a message to Mom: [Mom, I got hit by a car.]

Two seconds later, my phone rang.

"Leo?! What happened? Where are you? We're on our way—"

Before I could speak, Austin’s loud wailing came through the speaker.

"Mom! My ankle hurts so bad! Did I fracture it? If I can't walk, how am I going to start my Ivy League prep?!"

Mom's voice shifted instantly, full of frantic agony—for Austin.

She turned back to the phone, her tone cold and dismissive. "If you're hurt, call an ambulance and go to the clinic. Your dad's condition is critical, so we have to handle him first. I'll check on you later. You've always had a strong body, Leo, I'm sure you're fine."

Click.

The black screen reflected my pathetic, tear-stained face.

How utterly foolish I was to think I could ever compete with their precious golden boy.

Wiping my tears, I looked up at the elderly professor and looked her in the eye.

"I accept. I'll join your team."