Chapter 2

2.

Until Julian Vance moved in next door when we were sixteen.

He was the kind of person born to be at the top. Smart, handsome, his father a senator, his mother a neuroscientist.

But with me, he was different.

He would patiently explain calculus to me. He remembered I didn't eat peanut butter. He would take me to see the fireflies by the Potomac River.

He was the first person who made me understand what a "crush" felt like.

Daphne, of course, was also very interested in him. I didn't think much of it at the time. Who wouldn't like Julian?

We even joked that whoever won him over, the loser had to buy VIP tickets to Coachella.

Julian confessed his feelings on my eighteenth birthday.

On the banks of the Georgetown waterfront, under a sky full of fireworks, he held my hand, his gaze intense and passionate.

"Sloane Bennett, be my girlfriend."

The moment I nodded, I felt like I had the whole world.

I told Daphne the news first. She stared at me for a long time before forcing a smile and giving me a hug.

"Congratulations, Sloane."

From that day on, everything changed.

Daphne started having frequent "illnesses" or "emergencies."

At first, she would group text both of us while Julian and I were on a date.

"Sloane, Julian, my stomach hurts so bad, and no one's home. Can you guys come keep me company?"

I would panic instantly, dragging Julian out of the movie theater halfway through. "We have to go! Daphne must be terrified all by herself!"

Back then, I saw her as my sister and Julian as the love of my life. I wanted the person I loved to care for my sister too.

Julian would look at my anxious face, smile helplessly, and ruffle my hair. "Alright, whatever you say, my little detective."

But soon, the calls started going only to Julian.

"Julian, I'm feeling dizzy. Can you come pick me up? Sloane has an early class tomorrow, don't make her come all this way."

"Julian, I have a fever... Don't tell Sloane, I don't want her to worry."

Her excuses were always so considerate, so thoughtful, that I could never argue.

Julian hesitated a few times. Once, we had tickets for a touring Broadway show, and Daphne's call came again.

He frowned, speaking into the phone, "Daphne, take some medicine first. We'll come over after the first act."

The other end of the line was immediately filled with muffled sobs and ragged breaths, as if she were about to pass out.

"Julian... am I... am I bothering you?"

His expression changed instantly. He hung up and turned to me, his voice full of apology.

"Sloane, Daphne's having another episode. I have to go check on her. You know her mental state isn't stable."

"You two are like sisters. You wouldn't want anything to happen to her, right?"

He used those words to shut down any protest I might have made.

What could I say? I was the orphan the Sterlings took in. I lived in their house, spent their money. I had to be the bigger person, even if it meant swallowing my own feelings.

So I could only force a smile and nod. "Go ahead. I'm fine."

One time. Two times. Countless times.

My feelings turned from genuine concern to disappointment, then finally, to numbness.