The Only Family I Ever Had Chapter 03

The Only Family I Ever Had Chapter 03

My heart lurched.

All the color drained from my face.

When I had first been diagnosed, I used to imagine what Sebastian would do if he ever found out.

But after deciding to go to Switzerland, I no longer wanted him to know.

He couldn’t cure me.

There was no reason to add one more problem to his life.

I was scrambling for an explanation when he gave me a humorless smile.

“I thought you’d changed.”

He glanced at the blood.

“Looks like you’re still doing the same thing. Pretending to be sick for attention.”

I froze.

Then I smiled, even as tears stung my eyes.

“You’re right. They’re just vitamins with ketchup on them.”

His jaw tightened.

He took in the way my loose clothes hung off a body that had grown far too thin.

“Is this house not taking care of you? Do you really need to make yourself look like this?”

Then he looked around the room.

Most of my belongings had already been packed away, leaving the house emptier than usual.

“Why does everything look so bare? The whole place feels dead.”

The words landed harder than I wanted them to.

I avoided his gaze and answered with a voice made rough from weeks of coughing blood.

“You’re getting married. I thought it might be good to clear out some old things and make room for a fresh start.”

I smiled faintly.

“Tomorrow you’re marrying the woman you love. I hope you have a happy marriage, a beautiful family, everything you want.”

He gave a short, disbelieving laugh.

“The woman I love?”

He repeated my words slowly.

“A happy marriage? A beautiful family?”

He stared at me.

“That’s all you have to say to me?”

I had spent too many years watching his moods not to notice the irritation in his voice.

I just didn’t understand what I’d said wrong.

Maybe nothing.

Maybe my existence alone was enough to upset him.

If that was true, things would be easier for him after tomorrow.

Because this was the last time he would ever have to see me.

The next morning, while Sebastian left for his wedding, I would be on my way to the airport.

Then I would fly to Switzerland.

I drew a slow breath and looked up at him.

“I hope you have a beautiful wedding, Sebastian.”

His frown deepened.

He studied me as if he could tell something was off.

But the words themselves were perfectly reasonable.

My expression gave nothing away.

Before he could answer, I turned and went upstairs.

The next morning, I woke early and packed the last of my things.

Thankfully, my mind was unusually clear.

I knew exactly what day it was.

The day I was leaving.

Luxury cars lined the driveway outside the Whitmore estate.

People I’d only ever seen in financial news were arriving one after another.

Reporters packed the sidewalk, all fighting for a shot at one of the biggest society weddings New York had seen in years.

I took my cough medicine before leaving my room.

The moment I stepped into the hall, I saw Sebastian coming out of his suite in a custom black tuxedo.

He took one look at me and frowned.

“You’re wearing that to my wedding?”

The question stung.

I opened my mouth, but I couldn’t think of a way to explain that I wouldn’t be attending at all.

Then someone downstairs called out, “Sebastian, it’s almost time. We need to go.”

His mouth tightened.

He looked at me for a long moment.

“Change into something appropriate.”

I gave a vague nod and watched as everyone surrounded him and escorted him downstairs.

I faintly heard an older relative laugh.

“What’s with the face? You’re marrying the woman you wanted. Shouldn’t you be smiling?”

I couldn’t hear the rest.

It didn’t matter.

I knew this really was the last time I would see him.

I returned to my room and looked at the framed photograph of my parents on the desk.

“Mom. Dad. Sebastian’s getting married today.”

My voice softened.

“I saw Vanessa. She’s beautiful. They look good together.”

I ran my fingers across the frame.

My voice caught.

“Soon, we’ll all be together too. Just the three of us.”

Outside, the wedding party finally began to pull away.

I stood by the window and watched Sebastian get into the car.

The driveway filled with voices and camera flashes.

Then, little by little, the estate became silent again.

For one brief second, it felt as though something had been carved out of my chest.

Only for a second.

I gathered myself.

Under the stunned eyes of the household staff, I picked up my parents’ photograph, pulled my suitcase behind me, and got into the car waiting to take me to the airport.