The Forgotten Twin, The One They Beg in Tears Chapter 09

The Forgotten Twin, The One They Beg in Tears Chapter 09

I had no idea what was unfolding back at the Northvale Pack.

When the plane touched down in Miami and my phone regained signal, dozens of missed calls flooded my screen.

I ignored them.

The damp sea breeze carried the scent of unfamiliar packs–and for the first time, freedom.

My wolf uncoiled in the back of my mind, restless and alive.

The car sent by Southvale Academy waited outside for me.

To my surprise, the person who came to meet me was the Academy’s Dean.

“Freya Hawthorne?”

He smiled and held out his hand.

“Welcome to Southvale Academy.”

“We’re honored you chose us.”

I was caught off guard.

“I should be the one thanking you, for letting me enroll early.”

“You topped the Northern Territory SATS.”

The Dean smiled.

“We can make small special arrangements for someone like you.”

Once we reached the Academy, he personally walked me to the dormitory.

After the school learned about my family situation, they’d reserved a single dorm for me in

1 advance.

It wasn’t large.

But it had a window, a desk, a closet, and a bed that was truly mine.

The Dean also told me I’d received a full scholarship.

Tuition and housing fees were completely waived.

The school had also sent a living stipend ahead of time so I could buy daily supplies.

Lying on my freshly made bed, I finally relaxed and slept soundly.

But my phone kept vibrating nonstop.

When I saw Grandma’s name on the caller ID, I hesitated, then answered.

“Hello, Freya.”

Grandma’s voice shook with tears.

I knew what she wanted to ask, so I spoke first. “I’m fine. I’ve arrived safely at Southvale Academy”

Mom’s voice erupted through the speaker.

“You left without a single word?”

“Do

you

know how worried your father and I were!”

I said nothing.

I remembered the day my finger got crushed.

After I got it treated at the clinic, I got home very late.

The whole family was asleep, and there was no dinner left on the table.

No one asked why I came home so late, much less came looking for me.

The next day, when they saw my bandaged finger, none of them asked what had happened.

Even the money for that hospital visit had been covered by the men on the landscaping crew.

“You say you were worried. But where were you when my finger was crushed? When I had the allergy attack?”

“If the reporters hadn’t come to interview me today, you wouldn’t even know I was gone, you?”

would

Kael’s voice came through. “Freya, I know you’re angry.”

“But we truly didn’t know… Elowen was the one who put the peanuts in the food.”

Kael sniffled and apologized to me.

“Freya, I was wrong.”

Lucian’s voice followed. “I was wrong too. I shouldn’t have doubted you.”

Mom and Dad apologized one after another.

Their apologies piled up, one after another, but all I felt was a hollow exhaustion.

“I understand.”

“I’m already at school now. Isn’t it enough to know I’m safe?”

There was silence on the other end for a moment, then Mom’s careful voice came.

“So… when will you come home? We’ll throw a celebration party just for you.”

“Only for you!”

I gave a faint laugh.

“No need. Plane tickets are too expensive.”

Mom rushed to reply. “I’ll send you money.”

A transfer of one hundred thousand hit my account.

A knot tightened in my chest.

“Mom, do you remember when I was thirteen? The school spring trip cost two hundred dollars.”

“You said it was too expensive.”

“Even my graduation class party, you wouldn’t let me go.”

“You always said I’d cost you so much money when I was sick before.”

I smiled and sent the money back.

“Your money… I can’t take it. Not anymore.

At that, Grandma cried. “Freya, take mine. Come back home.”

“We’re all waiting for you.”

“There’s no need. If Mom and Dad had paid just a little more attention to me, they would’ve known I’d gotten first place on all my practice exams.”

fter I hung up, I received a long confession letter written by Mom.

She promised at the end that she would focus all her attention on me from now on.

She still didn’t understand. I no longer needed their attention.