I went back to the attic and changed into my most presentable outfit—my old high school uniform. I didn't want to look too wretched when I met Professor Iris.

Sitting at the desk, I took out my diary.

"December 25, 2008. Mom and Dad brought me home today. I have a sister and a brother. I'm not an orphan anymore. They gave me this diary. I'm going to write in it every day."

"January 3, 2009. They didn't have a new room ready for me. When my brother came home from school, he didn't have a place to stay, so Mom asked me to stay in the attic and give him my room. My brother is so cute. I'm happy to let him have the big room."

"March 5, 2010. School fees are due. The boss from my winter break job won't pay me. I'm scared of getting beat up, so I have to find another job."

…

The last entry was from April 2014, a month before I was sent to prison. It was a single sentence.

"They never loved me!"

I sighed and picked up the pen, ready to write the final entry.

"January 1, 2024."

"Mom, Dad, I'm leaving. You can consider me dead."

"I just don't understand. If you didn't love me, why did you find me? Why bring me back?"

"Can parents really not love their own child? In ten years, was there ever a day, even a single moment, when you worried about me?"

"Then why did you give birth to me?"

"Chloe, my sister."

"I never used the card you gave me. It's here, next to the diary."

"Maybe you forgot, but I'm your brother, too."

"But it's okay. I'm gone now. None of it matters anymore."

And finally, for Seraphina.

"Seraphina, I can't wait for you anymore. I'm sorry."

"I can't forgive you. Just like you told me when you were seventeen—never forgive anyone who hurts you, even if that person is me."

"I wish you and Rhys happiness."

"Let's never see each other again."

Lastly, I placed the medical report from my prison intake and a photograph on the desk.

The report clearly stated the partial state of my liver upon entering prison. The photo showed the gruesome, centipede-like scar across my stomach.

With that done, I got the call from Professor Iris.

I walked out of the Sutton house without a shred of nostalgia, and stepped into my new life.