When the Forgotten Daughter Rises Chapter 03

When the Forgotten Daughter Rises Chapter 03

By the end of August, there is less than a week left before Lily starts high school.

The new apartment near her school is already fully furnished, and all her belongings and daily necessities have been moved in.

That evening at dinner, Dad excitedly announces a decision.

“Lily, I’ve decided we’re all going to Miami before you start school. We could use a little family vacation. I’ve already booked the flights and a five-star beachfront hotel. We leave tomorrow afternoon!”

My sister cheers and throws her arms around Dad’s neck.

“Yes! Dad, you’re the best! I’m hitting the duty-free shops. There’s a new perfume everyone at school has, and I want one too!”

Mom is grinning from ear to ear as she places a large piece of meat in Lily’s bowl.

“Consider it your back-to-school gift. Starting at a top public high school is going to be stressful. A few days at the beach will help her relax before classes start.”

I sit beside them, quietly eating my sandwich.

Only after they finish discussing their plans does Mom finally seem to remember that I’m at the table too. She turns to look at me.

“Ellie, once we leave tomorrow, make sure you lock all the doors and windows. And shut off the gas line whenever you’re not using it, okay?”

She pauses, apparently satisfied that she has covered everything, then adds,

“There are a few frozen lasagnas in the freezer. Heat one up if you get hungry. We’ll be gone for five days, so stay home and study. Don’t go wandering around. You’ve got the SAT next year, so try to stay focused. And water the plants every three days. I don’t want them dying while we’re gone.”

If this were the old me, I might have felt hurt.

Now, there is only emptiness inside me.

“Okay.”

The next afternoon, Lily changes into a pretty beach dress and twirls in front of the full-length mirror.

I return to my room and drag an old, dusty suitcase out from under my bed.

It’s the prize my school gave me when I graduated middle school, and even the wheels barely work anymore.

I open my closet and take out my belongings one by one.

My college acceptance letter, my state ID, and the more than five thousand dollars I’ve saved over the years from holiday and birthday gifts all go carefully into the innermost zippered compartment of my backpack.

As for tuition, I’ve already applied online for federal student loans.

The money I have is enough to cover a bus ticket out of here and my living expenses for the first few months.

When I finish packing, I have one old suitcase and one backpack.

That is everything I own after eighteen years of life.

“Ellie! Remember to take the trash out every day! I don’t want to come back to a house that smells awful!”

Mom pulls her suitcase toward the door, still reminding me sternly before she leaves.

“Got it.”

I stand in the doorway of my room and calmly watch them.

Dad is already honking the car horn downstairs, urging them to hurry.

As Lily passes me, she smiles.

“Study hard while we’re gone, okay? Maybe you can get into a decent community college next year. I’ll bring you some coconut candy from Miami.”

I look at her perfectly made-up face and let the faintest smile touch my lips.

“Okay. Have fun.”

The front door closes with a heavy thud.

The entire house falls silent.

I turn around and walk back into the living room. From the table, I pick up the key to my bedroom.

Then I place it right in the center of the coffee table.

In the exact spot where my college acceptance letter sat that day.

I put on my backpack, pull up the handle of my old suitcase, and take one last look at the home where I’ve spent eighteen years of my life.