Chapter 3My Parents Gave My Oxford Spot to My Sister, So I Left

Tonight was the night I was leaving.

The estate was hosting a huge Christmas Eve party.

Crystal chandeliers lit up the ballroom as bright as day, and the air was thick with the scent of champagne and truffles.

It was the most important night of the year for my family. Every relative and every old family friend would be there.

My father stood in the middle of the ballroom holding a glass, with my mother on his arm. Camilla stood beside them in a champagne-colored couture gown, like a proud little princess.

"Thank you all for coming." My father's voice boomed with pride. "Tonight, I have some wonderful news to share. My younger daughter, Camilla, has been accepted into Oxford's architecture program. She'll be heading off to study in Europe with our family's recommendation letter!"

The crowd broke into enthusiastic applause.

Camilla lowered her head shyly, soaking up everyone's praise.

"Camilla is amazing. She's making the whole Prescott family proud."

"I heard that program is incredibly hard to get into. Richard, you're so lucky."

I sat in a shadowy corner, watching it all with an untouched glass of club soda in my hand.

My mother scanned the crowd. When she spotted me, she hurried over.

"Selena, what are you doing hiding over here?" she whispered accusingly. "This is such a big night for your sister. You're her big sister. Why aren't you out saying hello to the guests?"

I looked her in the eye.

"Mom, have you forgotten I spent six months earning that recommendation letter?"

My mother looked away for a second, then went right back to acting as though she'd done nothing wrong.

"Selena, how can you be so selfish? Your sister finally got over her breakup, and this letter is her chance at a fresh start. You're so smart. Does it really matter where you go to school?"

As she talked, she reached over and straightened Camilla's necklace.

That was when I noticed the rare emerald necklace around Camilla's neck.

My mother had promised it to me when I turned 18. "Selena, the year you start college, this necklace is yours. It'll be your coming-of-age gift. It suits you best."

Now it was around Camilla's neck.

"Selena." Camilla stepped closer and slipped her arm affectionately through my mother's. "You're not still mad at me, are you? If you really want the spotlight that badly, I'll go tell Daddy right now to make this party about you instead."

Her eyes reddened again as she spoke.

The relatives around us saw this and started whispering.

"What's wrong with Selena? Her sister's about to go abroad, and she's still sulking."

"She's just immature. Way too jealous."

I stood up and set down my glass.

I didn't get hysterical, and I didn't get angry.

I looked at them calmly, as if they were strangers I had no connection to.

"No need. Good luck with everything, Camilla."

I walked past them and went straight upstairs.

I opened my bedroom door and took out an envelope I'd prepared earlier.

I pulled the silver card Evan had given me out of my wallet and put it in the envelope, along with the key card for the estate gates and the keys to my sports car.

Then I got out my suitcase and changed into a plain coat.

Not much in this house had ever really been mine. I'd already shipped all my art supplies and drawings to Boston. All that was left of me here was an empty shell.

The sweet sound of violins drifted up from downstairs, where the guests were dancing. The celebration belonged to them.

I set the envelope right in the middle of the vanity.

Then I picked up my suitcase, went down the spiral staircase by the back door, and slipped out of the estate.

The cold wind hit my face and swept away the scent of the house still clinging to me.

I flagged down a cab.

"The airport, please."

As the car pulled away, I watched the brightly lit estate grow smaller and smaller in the rearview mirror.

I muted our family group chat, leaned back in my seat, and closed my eyes.

I was finally free.