Chapter 3

3.

Departure was set for three days later.

The identity erasure process would be finalized then as well.

Professor Sterling begged me to tell my family and say a proper goodbye.

But I knew I didn't have a family anymore.

I went home alone to pack, only to find my belongings piled outside the door.

My clothes, my books, and even my old bedding had been tossed out like trash.

Even my merit medals were scattered on the ground, stepped on by people passing by.

I hurried to pick them up, but a pair of beautiful red heels stepped right in front of me.

I recognized those shoes. I had asked Silas for them for my birthday last month.

He had gone to great lengths, calling department stores across the country to find them.

Then he had told me they were out of stock.

Now, they were on Seraphina's feet.

The message was loud and clear.

Seraphina noticed my gaze and her tone turned smug as she flaunted the shoes.

"Do you like them? Silas bought them for me."

I didn't say a word. I just bent down to pick up my medals.

But Seraphina couldn't stand my silence. She slammed her red heel down onto the back of my hand.

A sharp pain shot through my fingers, and I looked up at her.

Her face was twisted and ugly, nothing like the sweet girl she pretended to be in front of Silas.

"Avery, say something!" she hissed.

"I have nothing to say to you," I said, frowning.

Seraphina let out a cold laugh.

"Nothing to say? Or are you just scared?"

"Silas gave me the only promotion. You're done at the unit."

"And you're done at this house, too. There's no room for you here anymore!"

"If you have any dignity left, grab your trash and get lost!"

I tried to keep my cool, but I couldn't help but snap back.

"You have no right to touch my things."

That sentence set her off like a bomb.

She began grabbing the rest of my things from the bedroom and throwing them at my feet.

"I have no right?"

"I'm going to be Mrs. Dawson!"

"And you? You're just a killer's brat!"

"Get out! Get out of this house!"

Her words stung, but I wasn't going to fight her.

Then, she grabbed a small ceramic soldier from the corner.

My heart leaped into my throat, and I lunged forward.

"No! Put it down!"

Seraphina saw the panic in my eyes and grinned.

Instead of putting it down, she raised it high and smashed it toward the floor.

I dropped to my knees and caught it just before it hit the ground.

My injured knee twisted painfully, but I felt a wave of relief.

Silas had given this to me when I first came to the Dawson house.

It was more than just a toy to me.

Even if I left, I wanted to take this piece of him with me.

But my relief lasted only a second. Seraphina kicked my hand with all her might.

I cried out in pain, and the ceramic soldier flew from my grip, shattering against the wall.

The sound of the breaking ceramic was like a bell tolling for my heart.

I looked at her with tear-filled eyes, demanding to know why she did it.

Seraphina stood tall and looked down at me with pure disgust.

"Because I want you to know exactly where you stand."

"You're a criminal's daughter. You should be in hell with your father."

I had heard those words a thousand times, but hearing them from her felt like ice in my veins.

Driven by fury, I stood up to confront her.

But a shadow suddenly blocked my path, shielding Seraphina while a voice roared at me.

"Avery! What the hell do you think you're doing?"