He Changed His Future For Her, Not Me Chapter 03

He Changed His Future For Her, Not Me Chapter 03

Three days passed after the bracelet was crushed, and no one brought it up again.

Just like every other time I had been hurt.

To them, it was over.

Only I knew some things did not go back to normal after they broke.

Soon after, the whole family started preparing for Pippa’s college send-off party.

Mom flipped through the banquet menu at the Marlowe Bend Inn and looked at me.

“Lark, be there by eight in the morning. Put up the balloons, set out the place cards, help with the projector, and greet the relatives when they arrive. Keep an eye on your sister the whole time. Don’t let her drink anything iced.”

Calder immediately said, “Mrs. Kettering, I can help Pippa handle the speeches and relatives.”

Dad clapped him on the shoulder. “Good man. I can relax with you there.”

I stayed quiet.

From beginning to end, no one asked about my send-off party.

No one asked whether I wanted one.

That afternoon, a thick envelope arrived from Iron Mesa.

Everyone else was busy choosing the menu and drinks for the party, so no one noticed when I slipped into my room and opened it.

The academy seal was stamped in dark green at the top of the letter.

I opened it with hands that were almost steady.

Congratulations.

One word.

That was all it took to make my throat close.

I read the letter twice, then folded it carefully and tucked it deep into my suitcase beneath my clothes.

For a moment, I wanted badly to call someone.

I wanted to hear one person say congratulations.

Even quietly. Even casually.

But after scrolling through my contacts from top to bottom, I realized I did not have a single person to share good news with.

I set my phone facedown on the desk and slowly crouched beside it.

In the living room, Mom was laughing as she asked Pippa which dress she wanted to wear to the party.

I bit down on the back of my hand and didn’t make a sound.

The day of Pippa’s send-off party was also the day before I left.

I arrived at the inn at eight in the morning.

I blew up balloons, taped up the backdrop, arranged place cards, and tested the projector.

As the guests arrived, they drifted straight to Pippa.

“Cypress Key, huh? Lucky girl. College by the water sounds like a dream.”

“Your mom says you’re doing health sciences. That’s perfect for you.”

“And Calder’s going too? Well, that makes the transition easier.”

Pippa smiled shyly while relatives handed her graduation cards, gift cards, and folded checks.

I stood off to the side with a pitcher, refilling water glasses at every table.

A distant aunt suddenly noticed me.

“Is that Lark? Didn’t you graduate too? Where are you headed?”

The whole table went quiet for one second.

Grandma set down her fork and sighed.

“Don’t ask. She’s going to some little nursing program. That girl was never as sharp as Pippa.”

Mom gave an awkward smile. “She just never worked hard enough. At least nursing will give her a way to make a living.”

One relative said politely, “Community college is fine. A practical skill is useful.”

Another lowered her voice, just loud enough for me to hear.

“Hard to believe twins can turn out that different. Are we sure the older one is really theirs?”

My hand did not shake around the pitcher.

I almost wanted to laugh.

I had ranked near the top three hundred statewide.

The academy I chose had an admissions cutoff more than sixty points higher than Pippa’s program.

But no one at that table knew. No one had ever wanted to know.

Dad raised his glass to smooth things over.

“All right, today is Pippa’s day. To Pippa and her bright future.”

Calder lifted his glass too, his eyes fixed on her.

“To our Pippa. You’ll be fine in Cypress Key. I’ll be there.”

Everyone smiled.

Pippa’s eyes flicked to me once, quick and guilty.

Then she looked away.

By the end of the party, her bag was full of cards, checks, and gift cards.

Mine was empty.

No one congratulated me. No one even asked where I was going.

I slipped into the restroom and splashed cold water on my face.

The girl in the mirror looked pale.

I looked at her and whispered, “One more day.”

Survive this one day.

After that, every day would belong to me.