Cast aside and forgotten by the family who should have celebrated them, a young person disappears without a trace for three years. When they finally return, they are no longer the overlooked child everyone dismissed—and those who wronged them must face the consequences.
The day my acceptance letter arrived at the estate, I found out I was the only one going to When we were filling out college applications, Marco told me, Sophia applied to the same school. The three of us will go to Chicago together. We'll look out for each other. I believed him. Ever since I was little, my grades have been very good.
My stepmother, Debra, couldn't bear to see Sophia sad, so she said a few words in front of my father. From then on, the whole family started to side with Sophia. So even when I came first, my father, Don, would only say, Don't put too much pressure on Sophia.
Only Marco stood by me whenever I was pushed aside. He said he always would. In the family group chat, Luca excitedly sent a voice message. Now Sophia and Marco can be together every day!
I stared at the two screenshots of their acceptance letters from Manhattan until my eyes burned. Inside the study, Sophia asked softly, Do you think Elena will be mad at you?
Marco would quiet for a moment. She's strong. She'll figure it out. I'll stay here and take care of you first. Once you've settled into college, I'll explain everything to her.
I tightened my grip on my acceptance letter to Chicago. Suddenly, leaving them didn't seem so bad. At least I wouldn't spend the rest of my life being overlooked. I didn't open the study door.
Their voices continued on the other side. But what if Elena really gets angry? Marco sounded completely certain. She won't.
Once I explain it to her, she won't stay mad. She never does.