The Family Group Chat Without Me, The Truth They Hid Chapter 02

The Family Group Chat Without Me, The Truth They Hid Chapter 02

The familiar click of a camera made me turn around in disbelief.

Tamsin had lowered her voice, but she couldn’t hide the excitement in it.

“Those drunk guys you hired were a joke. My picture is WAY funnier.”

Stellan scoffed. “Please. Like the guy you hired to dump dirty water on her was any better. Mine’s definitely funnier. Send them both to Miri and let her decide.”

They got so caught up arguing over who had captured me looking more pathetic that they’d forgotten they were supposed to keep any of this from me.

I hated that I was crying, but the tears came anyway. My legs gave out, and I sank to the ground.

It took me a while before I could pull out my phone with shaking hands and send two messages.

[I’m not coming home.]

[Stellan, we’re done.]

Stellan’s voice caught when he read them.

He started toward me, but Tamsin grabbed him.

“Leave her. I know Cyra. This is just another dramatic little stunt to get attention.”

“We’ve been doing this to her for months, and she hasn’t caught on once.”

Stellan stopped.

“Fair point. She really is unbelievably oblivious…”

“No wonder her mom only has to say a few nice words to get her to swallow those pills that are destroying her voice.”

Something inside me dropped.

When I was younger, Mom used to hold me whenever I practiced until my voice went hoarse.

“You’re going to get into the best conservatory in the country someday. You’ll be an incredible singer and make me so proud.”

And now, just to make Mirelle feel better, she had drugged me herself.

She had destroyed my voice.

My dream.

I didn’t remember how I got away from them.

By the time I climbed into a cab, I felt frozen all the way through.

A new photo popped up in the family group chat, immediately pushing my message about not coming home farther up the screen.

[everyone—Mom made a whole seafood feast tonight! Just waiting on you guys!]

The table was covered with crab, shrimp, scallops, lobster, and dish after dish of seafood.

Every single one could send me into anaphylaxis.

For the first time that day, I was almost glad I hadn’t gone home just to humiliate myself all over again.

Stellan and Tamsin replied almost instantly.

Then came a flood of fireworks and celebration GIFs.

It looked like they were throwing a party because I was gone.

My mouth twisted.

I switched screens, opened my email, and accepted the admission offer from Sablewick Conservatory of Music.

I’d hesitated for so long because I couldn’t bring myself to leave the people and places I’d known my whole life.

I hadn’t even said yes when Sablewick offered me full tuition and coverage for the treatment that could restore my voice.

Now I finally understood how ridiculous I’d been.

I set my phone down.

And for the first time in months, I felt strangely light.

Starting today, I wanted nothing from this place.

Nothing at all.