Chapter 35
The tinge of familial affection that had just risen in my heart froze.
So, this was why they asked me to come back.
Without hesitation. I pushed Mason’s hand away.
Indifference was plain in my eyes when I spoke.
“Antonio has made arrangements for his family. He won’t withdraw in the middle of the research.
“Even if he asks me to take part, it’ll only be because he appreciates me.
“Someone must make a sacrifice, as Mom and Dad did. Many of our peers. and the older generations did the same thing.
“What do you mean by The consequence will be unthinkable.““”
Ruben’s face turned livid. “So, you’re defending Antonio?
“Grace, don’t talk morality with me!”
I’d heard enough. After grabbing my phone, I left the house.
Furious, Ruben swept everything off the table to the floor.
The sound of ceramics breaking was shrill and startling.
But I didn’t stop in my tracks.
Outside the villa, I hailed a cab and left.
11:37
Sure enough, the next morning. Mason called me.
He sounded embarrassed. “Lacey doesn’t wanna go to Ebonhelm. She likes Northbeech. So…”
Just then. Antonio sent me a message.
“I have to set off in advance at noon. Preparations for the new institute must be made.
“I’ll see you on Saturday when you come.”
I looked at the message.
Mason was still talking. He sounded guilty. It was a first.
“When you and John come back at the beginning of the next year, Ruben and I will take you to see the aurora.”
I replied in a low voice. “Hmm.”
After a moment of silence, Mason asked, “Grace, how have you been?”
It was odd.
He saw me every day recently.
Snow was falling outside.
It was the first snow in Bluewell. It had come later than in past years.
I answered. “I’m fine.”
A long while passed, and Mason didn’t hang up.
He continued, “Will you come home tonight?”
Chaster 35
Ruben put in in an awkward tone, “The houseworker is back. She’ll cook lotus roots with rice tonight.”
was my favorite food when I was 12.
But I was 22 now, and I no longer had a sweet tooth.
Eventually. I answered. “I’m not coming home tonight.”
Not ever.
Lacey suddenly screamed at the other end of the line.
I heard Ruben’s concerned voice. “I told you not to go to the kitchen. Where did you get scalded?”
The phone was hung up hastily.
The hang–up beeps came. After a while, the screen of my phone dimmed.
Deathly silence befell.
I stood before the window for a long while, watching the snow fall.
Then, I took out my phone and replied to his message. “I’ll go with you.”
My luggage had been packed long ago.
After booking the earliest air ticket, I left school for the airport in a cab.
The plane took off. Everything in Bluewell vanished before my eyes.
