The App That Failed, The Love That Never Was Chapter 08

The App That Failed, The Love That Never Was Chapter 08

Serena’s warning came true. Three months into the semester, my parents actually turned up on

mpus.

That afternoon, as I walked out of the teaching building, I spotted two familiar figures standing a

short distance away.

Only a few months had passed, yet they looked ten years older, worn–out, wearing an unfamiliar, pleading look on their faces.

When Dad saw me, he hurried over, his voice hoarse. “Nalani, your mother and I have searched for you for so long… come home with us.”

I stared at him coldly, as though regarding a total stranger. “Home? Which home are you talking

about?”

Dad froze, forcing a shaky smile. “Our family home, of course. Nalani, I know we wronged you all these years. I promise you, from now on you will get the best of everything. You will come first.”

I stepped back, putting distance between us. “There’s no need. My home is here. My future is here. I am not going back.”

Mom trembled and moved forward, reaching for my hand. I flinched away instinctively, and her

hand hung awkwardly mid–air.

“Nalani, I was wrong. I did everything wrong in the past…” She choked back sobs, tears streaming down her face. “I’m begging your forgiveness. Please come home. I will cook all your favorite

meals for you every single day—”

A dry, humorless laugh escaped me. “Oh? And do I still need to submit a booking request?”

Mom waved her hands in panic. “No, no, that’s not what I mean! No more bookings for you. You can

ask me for anything directly from now on!”

It all struck me as bitterly ironic. I had no desire to waste breath on empty words.

I pulled the formal no–contact notice Serena’s family attorney had prepared out of my backpack.

“There is nothing more to say. This isn’t a negotiation. It’s a boundary.”

They took the papers, their faces draining of color. “Nalani… you want to cut all ties with us?”

Mom’s voice shook uncontrollably. “We gave birth to you and raised you. How can you be so cruel to abandon us?”

Dad spoke next, his voice hoarse, falling back on the only language he knew. “Nalani, I know you’re

angry. But come home. I’ll pay for any school you want. I’ll set up a trust fund. Just… don’t shut us

out completely.”

held up a hand to cut him off before he finished. “Mr. Carter, I earn my own tuition and living

costs. I can build a good life for myself. Keep all those things for your precious youngest daughter,

Sylvie.”

“You don’t have to sign anything today. My attorney already has your contact information. All future communication goes through her. We will not be meeting again.”

“Nalani!” Mom broke down into loud weeping. “How can you be so heartless?!”

Just then, Serena and Lucie ran up and positioned themselves protectively on either side of me.

Serena spoke in a calm, icy tone. “What your family has put Nalani through is documented abuse. If you have objections to this formal no–contact notice, take it up with my family’s attorney. But do not show up near Nalani or disturb her life ever again.”

Lucie shook her fist, glaring fiercely. “If you keep harassing her, I will call campus security and the

police.”

With that, they shielded me as we turned and walked away.

Behind us, my parents called out in desperate, grief–stricken voices. “Nalani! Don’t leave!”

Inside me, I felt nothing at all.

The people and pain of my past were just scenery blurring past a car window–gone before I could focus on them. I didn’t need to look back to know they were behind me.