Chapter 3My Parents Sent Me to Jail for Her

Before my senior year started, Grandma Rose's heart condition flared up. She insisted my parents take me home, saying she couldn't let my studies be interrupted.

I held a bottle of Grandma Rose's homemade wine, pushing open the door with anticipation.

Grandma Rose had once said that my father loved her homemade wine most when he was young.

But when I got home, the nanny told me my parents had taken Chloe to Switzerland for skiing.

A week later, they finally returned.

"Skylar, I missed you so much!" Mother hugged me.

Father also patted my shoulder. "Kiddo, you've grown taller."

I was about to turn and get the wine when Chloe suddenly shrieked and tumbled down the stairs.

They immediately released me and rushed over.

"I wanted to help Skylar with her luggage... I slipped..." Chloe's face was as white as a sheet, clutching her ankle.

"I'm so useless..."

Mother examined her foot. "Silly girl, your ballet recital is next week. What if you've injured your foot?"

"Let's go get X-rays at the hospital right now." Father already had the car keys.

Before leaving, Mother glanced at the wine bottle in my hand. "Stay away from that stuff. You're a senior, you need to focus on your studies."

I sat on the stairs, uncorked the bottle, and drank it all, sip by sip.

That night, I suggested moving out, into the school dorms.

My parents initially disagreed, but eventually nodded after Chloe's persuasive argument that "Skylar needs a quiet environment to study for her exams."

The day I received my acceptance letter to the Art Academy, I rushed home to pack.

Grandma Rose had always said her favorite was Italian Renaissance painting.

So I applied to a university in Italy; I wanted to take Grandma Rose with me.

Just as I was dragging my suitcase out, my phone rang.

It was the nursing home calling.

"Is this Skylar? Your Grandma Rose... had a sudden heart attack. She's being resuscitated. Please come quickly..."

The phone slipped from my grasp.

Trembling, I opened the door. My parents stood outside, their faces grim.

"Mom... Grandma Rose, she..." I gripped Mother's arm, my voice shaking. "Take me to the nursing home... I need to see Grandma Rose... please..."

"Skylar, Grandma Rose will be fine," Mother said, hugging me and patting my back gently. "But before you go, can you do us a favor?"

"What favor?" I asked, looking up through tears.

"Save Chloe." Mother looked past me.

Chloe emerged from behind Father, covered in blood, trembling all over.