place of Emily. Dinner ended almost immediately,

no laughter at dinner tables, no conversations about how the day went. Nothing. I espec

up the kitchen. We had help and maids but these

ue diligence,' I'd c

my bed as I stared at the little neon star stickers at the ceiling of my room. It was th

nd I ponder on my nearing

some miracle, return home. She

s the only one who was left in the dark about Emily fleeing the c

te child of the family but I was comfortable enough. I wasn't tre

ind that I won't be getting picked or adopted. I was older than half the kids at the orphanage

I remained quiet even when

ough life and fulfilling my dream of owning a small coffee shop and bookshop to s

to take my sister's place. That was the only duty I'd ever been a

showed, in the way they treated me that t

and my aversion for this arrangem

r the choice they made in picking me from

little clothes and items I owned. It wasn't much, I didn't own much. I was never gr

gh as I zip up the final bag of things I'd be taking alo

ome, the wedding would be happening there.

eople that crossed him? Would I even be treated right? If I lived in anyway

ent shivers down my spine. I didn't hope

g spoken to and I wasn't keen on starting conversations.

into the small pouch that laid there. The lip balm,

handy when I arrived

was walking into. But