Chapter 3

At the dining table, everyone treated me like thin air. The three of them chatted and laughed, painting a picture of domestic bliss.

In the past, I would have bent over backward trying to fit into their conversations, but today I did nothing.

"I'm done eating," I said, grabbing a napkin to wipe my hands. "Which room is mine?"

Mom paused, slightly caught off guard, before quickly recovering.

"The guest rooms haven't been set up yet."

"Seven, don't be mad at Mom and Dad. So much has been happening lately, and they've just been overwhelmed," Chloe chimed in, playing the dutiful daughter defending her parents while subtly painting me as unreasonable and selfish. She had pulled this stunt countless times before.

I looked at her blankly. "Did I say I was blaming them?"

Setting down the napkin, my voice remained completely flat. "I'll just pick any empty room upstairs. Enjoy your dinner."

I turned and walked slowly up the stairs. My parents' hushed voices floated up behind me.

"Where did she get that sharp, bitter tongue from? Chloe, darling, don't let it bother you. Here, Mom made your favorite soup, you haven't touched it yet!"

Chloe sighed gently. "She's probably just traumatized, Mom."

Mom scoffed. "Traumatized by what? Look at her, she came back in one piece, didn't she?"

...

I pulled the bedroom door shut, locking all their voices outside.