They Left Me Behind, Then Wanted Me Back Chapter 08

They Left Me Behind, Then Wanted Me Back Chapter 08

A contact request flashed on my comm crystal.

Unknown number. The note: [I’m Darius].

I stared at it for a few seconds. Hit decline.

A message pinged right after.

[Kaia, I know you’re reading this.]

[Your parents are losing their minds. They’ve been badgering everyone they know for news of you,

every single day.]

[Can you give them a chance? They’re your birth parents.]

I stared at the screen. Almost laughed.

A chance?

Did they ever give me one?

When I had a 104-degree fever and when Grandma half-supported me through the pouring rain, desperate to find a healer, where were they?

When I got into the top senior Pack Academy in the Northern Territory and wanted to share the news, where were they?

When Grandma was dying in the hospital, and I was running around alone, where were they?

All those years. All that hope. Where were they?

Did they even remember I was their daughter?

Another text buzzed in.

[Kaia. Don’t be like this.]

[I know I messed up too. I shouldn’t have lied about my application. I shouldn’t have let you come

South alone.]

[But I had to think about my family too. Their expectations.)

[You’re doing so well now. You’re going places. Why hold a grudge?]

[They’re your parents. Blood is thicker than water. Right?]

Blood is thicker than water?

So ridiculous.

I inhaled deeply, fingers flying across the screen.

[Darius. Stop contacting me.]

[You said it yourself—your family wants you in the North. So stay there.]

[As for my parents-if they think I’m successful now, good. Let them keep thinking that.]

[I don’t need parents. And I don’t need that family.]

[The moment I sold that pack house, Kaia became an orphan.]

[Don’t reach out again.]

Send.

I blocked the crystal identifier and powered the device off.

Sunlight streamed through the leaves outside, dappling the floor.

I opened my textbook and started reading.

This time, I was the one choosing to leave them behind.

Time passed.

Winter break came. It was Grandma’s death anniversary. I went back to the North.

The dry cold wind bit at my face.

I crouched before her grave, laying down fresh white chrysanthemums. My fingers traced the cold

stone.

“Grandma. I got a full scholarship. Top of my class. I’m doing well.”

A twig snapped behind me.

I turned. Dad stood a few steps away. He looked heavier than before. Gray at his temples.

He rubbed his hands together, his voice tight with nervous, forced warmth.

“Kaia. When did you get back? Why didn’t you tell me?”

I didn’t get up. Just looked at him.

He shifted awkwardly, eyes darting. Finally, he forced out, “You should have told me. I’d have picked you up at the airport.”

I said nothing.

He kept going. “I was… careless before.”

“I was too focused on the little one. I forgot about you.

“You’re so accomplished. I overlooked you so many times. Don’t hold it against me. From now on, I’ll make it up to you.”

Compensation.

The word fell from his lips so lightly.

I stood up, brushing the dust off my pants.

“No thanks.”

“I don’t need compensation. Focus on your current family.”

His face went pale. He reached for me. I sidestepped.

“Kaia…”

His voice cracked. His eyes went red.

I didn’t look back. I walked away.

Some cracks can never be smoothed over with a simple “I forgot.”

Just outside the cemetery gates, a cab screeched to a halt.

Mom pushed out of the car. Her makeup was perfect, but her eyes were tired and frantic.

She hurried over, reaching for my hand. I pulled back.

Her voice trembled. “Why are you avoiding your own mother?”

“Sell the pack house, disappear, enroll in an academy so far away-do you know how worried I’v been?”

I looked at her. The absurdity hit me.

Worried?

She left me with Grandma, who lived on a meager pension when I was ten. No worry.

Now I’m an adult, top of the Royal Lycan Academy, with seven million in the bank-and now she’s worried.

“I’m fine. Don’t need you to worry.”

“How can you be so heartless!”

Her voice rose.

“We’re your biological parents! Doesn’t that mean anything?”

“Quinn said you’re stubborn. That you’d push everyone away!”

I laughed inside.

Quinn. So close.

I ignored her and walked toward another cab.