Left Behind Countless Times, This Time, I’m Leaving Them Chapter 07

Left Behind Countless Times, This Time, I’m Leaving Them Chapter 07

The living room fell completely silent.

Wyatt didn’t notice anything was wrong.

He went on. “But I do have a question. Why didn’t any of you attend her awards ceremony?”

“School district officials, professors from the program, and science foundation reps were all there that day.”

“Vesper stood up there alone to get the Young Researcher Award. Not one family member showed up.”

“I don’t know what important things you had going on, but that should’ve been a proud moment for the Taylor family, shouldn’t it?”

Logan’s phone slipped from his hand and hit the glass coffee table with a sharp crack.

The color drained from Paige’s face.

“That’s impossible.”

She shot to her feet and rushed into my room.

She tore through my nearly empty drawers, searching frantically.

Finally, she pulled a crumpled itinerary draft from the bottom of the trash can.

The University of Chicago’s crest was printed in the lower-right corner.

It read: [Early Arrival Arrangements for Incoming Astrophysics Students.]

My three sisters crowded the doorway, staring at the paper.

They’d always thought getting into the University of Washington was enough to make me look up to them.

Now they realized that the daughter they’d always looked down on had already made it into a research program they couldn’t even dream of joining.

That evening, Wyatt reached out to me.

“Vesper, your parents asked me for your address and new phone number. I didn’t give them anything. But they might try other ways to find you.”

“You’re an adult now. Whether you stay in touch with your family is up to you.”

“Thank you.”

I had just put my phone down when another call came in.

Paige had somehow gotten my Chicago number. I answered.

“Sweetheart.” Her voice was so gentle it almost sounded like someone else.

It was the first time in eighteen years I’d heard her call me that.

“Mom just found out you really got into the University of Chicago.”

She gave an awkward little laugh.

“With a full scholarship and a research award too. Honey, why didn’t you tell us sooner? That’s wonderful

news.”

I looked at the observation records on my desk.

“What do you want?”

“You’re probably short on money living alone in Chicago, right?”

“I’ll send you some money right away. I’ll send you more every month. Just tell Mom if you need anything.”

“I don’t need it.”

“The scholarship covers tuition and housing. My research team pays me a stipend. I’m not short on money.”

Paige was clearly getting anxious.

“Well, you still need to come home so we can celebrate. Your dad’s already planning a big party. You’re the

Taylor family’s biggest success story.”

She paused for a moment, then slipped back into her usual commanding tone.

“Our whole family is going to Chicago to see you next month. Book us a hotel first, then set up a campus

tour for us. Dawn and the others can meet your professors while we’re there.”

I finally understood why she’d suddenly become so sweet

She hadn’t remembered that she had a fourth daughter.

She’d simply realized that the daughter she’d forgotten had suddenly become useful.

“I’m not arranging anything. I’m busy with classes and research, and I don’t plan on hosting you.”

“Vesper Taylor!”

Her mask cracked instantly.

“I’ve been bending over backwards to please you, and it’s still not enough?”

“You got into the University of Chicago, and now you’re too good for your own parents?”

“We raised you for eighteen years. Now that you’ve made it, you’re going to cut us off?”

I stopped typing.

“If you insist on talking about everything you did for me, then let’s settle the score.”