Chapter 5 Ethan stood frozen, unable to process what he had just heard. His throat was so dry it hurt. He forced a strained smile. "What... what do you mean, home? The driver said he didn't pick you up. Did you go out somewhere?" "It's-it's fine. I'll send the driver... No, I'll come get you myself! Just wait for me at home!" I listened calmly to the sound of a chair overturning on his end, my heart unmoved. Softly, I added, "There's no need, Ethan." "It's no trouble! You're my sister-this is my fault. I should have picked you up this morning. Don't be angry. I'm coming now. I promised you... today would be your formal-" "Ethan," I cut through his panic. "I've gone back South. To my real home. I won't be returning to Crestwood. Don't look for me. I want to live properly with my own family now. Thank you for taking care of me these eight years. Take care." I hung up, then blocked and deleted every one of his contacts. My foster brother, Alexander, took my luggage. Seeing how thin I'd become, he didn't ask questions, just gently ruffled my hair. "Let's go home. Grandma's been waiting. She made your favorite pot roast." I followed him, watching his slightly stooped yet still tall back-the same back that had once saved me from those criminals. My nose stung, but my heart was filled with a long-lost sense of security. The kind that only comes from family-your real family. On the other end, Ethan's ashen face was reflected in his blackened phone screen. He looked utterly soul-scraped. Among the guests, only a few friends knew the truth. The rest murmured in confusion. "What's going on? What sister? I thought Amelia was his only sister?" "Yeah, isn't this Amelia's birthday party? The guest of honor is here. Why aren't we starting? Who are we waiting for?" Amelia, embarrassed, tugged at Ethan's sleeve. "Brother, why are we still waiting? Who cares if Eleanor isn't coming? I can't stand her anyway! This is my birthday! You promised you'd only focus on me today. Let's just forget about her!" Some word in her rant must have struck a nerve. Ethan whirled around, eyes bloodshot. "Who said you were the guest of honor? Eleanor is my real sister! She was supposed to be the focus today!" He stared at the six-tier mango cake-Amelia's favorite. But I hate mango. At the entrance stood a photoshopped poster of Amelia in an expensive princess gown. Every flower, every dessert, every balloon in the hall was adorned with her smiling photos and the words, Happy Birthday to My Chapter 5 62.50% Precious Little Princess. The scene he had poured his heart into-sparing no effort or expense-now felt like a massive slap across his face. The pain nearly brought him to his knees. This wasn't how it was supposed to be. All of this should have been for Eleanor. For the sister he'd lost for twelve years and moved heaven and earth to find. He'd sworn, the day he brought her back, that he would make it up to her-that he'd spend the rest of his life being good to her. So how had it come to this? The crowd erupted at his words. An old friend of our parents finally grasped the meaning behind them, as if suddenly remembering the daughter who'd been lost at five and forgotten for twenty years. "Ethan, what are you saying? Your real sister was found? When?" One of Ethan's friends muttered under his breath, "Eight years ago. She's been living outside all this time." A stunned silence fell. Chapter 5 62.50% Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!