- 7 hours ago
Category
🦄
CreativityTranscript
00:05I had a family of four and a boyfriend, yet I was entirely alone.
00:11To my parents and brother, I was just a tool to pave the way for my pampered twin sister.
00:17To my fiancé, I was just a shadow, while he showered my sister with the love and gifts that belonged
00:23to me.
00:24I thought the Columbia acceptance letters was to be the moment Lucas slipped a ring onto my finger
00:29and my parents, for once, actually acknowledged my existence.
00:32However, on the day college acceptance letters were released, I clutched my laptop and rushed into the living room.
00:38Mom! Dad! I got into Columbia! I'm actually going to New York with Ethan and Lucas!
00:45The living room was completely empty.
00:49My parents, my brother, and my fiancé secretly jetted off to New York to celebrate my twin sister's fake success,
00:56leaving me behind without a word.
00:59A glossy Columbia muck on the count sat, a gift from Lucas last year.
01:03His voice echoed in my head.
01:05Get into Columbia, babe, and I'll take you to every single romantic spot this city has to offer.
01:11I had made those words my entire world, surviving countless all-nighters,
01:16But now, that mug was shoved aside.
01:19Beneath it, three printed flight confirmations.
01:22My mother, my father, and my twin sister, Chloe.
01:26Aided Tamshin, JFK, New York.
01:29My fingers went totally numb as I opened Instagram.
01:33Ethan, my older brother, had just posted a reel.
01:36He was wheeling Chloe's suitcase through the terminal, grinning at the camera.
01:40Welcome to NYC, princess.
01:42Time to go conquer your pre-college program.
01:46Lucas was standing right there, beside them, handing massive bouquet of blush pink ponies.
01:50Chloe looked up at him through her lashes, biting her lip.
01:53Do you think Claire's gonna hate us for leaving her behind?
01:57Claire's fine.
01:58Missing one trip isn't gonna kill her.
02:01A sick chill seeped straight into my bones.
02:04The city I had ruined my health to reach, and they had already shut me out.
02:09Right then, my phone buzzed.
02:11My mother had finally realized she had another daughter.
02:16Keep your Columbia news out of the family chat group.
02:18Chloe is finally happy.
02:21Don't ruin it by making it all about you.
02:23Before I could even catch my breath, and another text flashed across the screen.
02:28Babe, you already got into your dream school.
02:30Don't start drama and steal her spotlight over this.
02:32My hand shook, knocking the Columbia mug off the counter.
02:35It shattered against the tile.
02:37I crouched down and picked up the shards.
02:40I didn't cry.
02:42Suddenly, New York felt miles away.
02:44Far enough that I didn't want to go anymore.
02:48Ethan's voice cut through the phone, backed by the noisy hum of the airport terminal.
02:52Claire, what's the code to the pink suitcase?
02:560521.
02:57May 21st.
02:58Chloe's birthday.
03:00Mine too.
03:01But in our house, that date had only ever belonged to one person.
03:06Over the line, a sharp click signaled the lock giving way, followed instantly by Chloe's whining voice.
03:12Ugh, Ethan!
03:13My sunscreen literally exploded everywhere!
03:15My whole bag is ruined!
03:17Relax, sweetie.
03:18I'll just get Luke's to take you to replace it.
03:20Ethan soothed her over the line, his tone sickeningly indulgent.
03:24Suddenly, the phone was ripped away.
03:27Claire, why are you ignoring my FaceTimes?
03:29Look, Chloe's doing her prep program here and New York rents are insane.
03:32Sign over that $20,000 check you got?
03:34I needed to lock down a luxury apartment for her.
03:37I walked to the bathroom and turned the fauceter on full blast, letting the creasing water numb
03:41my fingers.
03:42I already spent it on tuition.
03:44The line fell completely silent.
03:46When Lucas spoke again, his voice had dropped to absolute zero.
03:50Claire, pick a better lie.
03:52Columbia hasn't even billed you yet.
03:56We all know you're just holding on to that check.
03:58He spoke with the absolute arrogance of a guy who genuinely thought he owned my entire life.
04:04Chloe is fragile, Claire.
04:06You've always been the strong one.
04:08Columbia's dorms are amazing anyway, so it's not like you're going to suffer.
04:10Can't you just let your sister have this one thing?
04:12I grabbed a towel, slowly drying my hands.
04:15I spent it, Lucas.
04:19Spent it on what?
04:21Shopping.
04:23Claire!
04:25Lucas snapped, his composure completely evaporating over the line.
04:29Since when did you get this selfish?
04:32Chloe didn't get accepted, and she's been crying for days.
04:36As her sister, instead of showing some compassion, you're seriously being this petty over a check?
04:41I looked at my reflection in the mirror.
04:43My expression was dead calm.
04:47So you all just left for New York without telling me.
04:51I spoke softly, but Lucas heard me anyway.
04:55He let out a sigh.
04:56We didn't tell you because we knew you'd totally overreact.
05:00Look, you got into Columbia.
05:01You're the pride of the family.
05:03Chloe is just really insecure right now, and we wanted to give her some support.
05:08You're strong.
05:10What's the big deal about staying home alone for a few days?
05:13I just listened.
05:15So that was it.
05:16In their eyes, my success was a sin.
05:19Because I was strong, I didn't deserve to be coddled.
05:22I didn't deserve to be celebrated.
05:25I didn't even deserve the grant I had worked so hard to earn.
05:28I get it.
05:30Lucas took my quiet tone as instant compliance, his voice softening into a low purr.
05:35Good girl.
05:36Just transfer the money to your mom.
05:38She stops stressing about the apartment.
05:39I gotta go.
05:40Chloe wants to grab cupcakes at Magnolia Bakery.
05:43Bye, babe.
06:09Bye, babe.
06:13I clicked open the page.
06:15The cursor hovered between decline for Columbia and accept for California.
06:19Holding the mouse, I declined Columbia without hesitation, chose the West Coast School, and
06:23secured my design grant safely inside a personal account completely out of their reach.
06:27Click.
06:28Confirm.
06:29I closed the laptop.
06:30I turned around, opened the wardrobe, and pulled out my suitcase.
06:33I began packing my clothes piece by piece.
06:35The outfits I had bought specifically New York were shoved right back into the deepest corner
06:39of the closet.
06:40California would be warm.
06:42I wouldn't be needing them anyway.
06:43My phone buzzed on the bed.
06:45Mom had sent a photo.
06:47Chloe was wearing a new necklace from Lucas.
06:49A radiant smile on her face.
06:51The caption read,
06:53Chloe is much happier today.
06:54I didn't reply.
06:55I just put the chat on Do Not Disturb.
06:59Three days later, the front door was pushed open.
07:02The living room was instantly filled with the sound of laughter.
07:06New York is so muggy and hot right now.
07:09The pollution completely ruined my skin.
07:12I'm breaking out already.
07:13Mom complained, kicking off her shoes.
07:15Ethan followed right behind her, loaded down with shopping bags.
07:18As long as Chloe had a good time, Mom.
07:20Honestly, she's been in such better spirit since we got there.
07:22I sat on the sofa, holding a book.
07:24The moment their eyes landed on me, the laughter died instantly.
07:28The entire living room turned ice cold.
07:31Mom frowned, her gaze sweeping over the clean coffee table.
07:34Claire, we're exhausted from the flight and starving.
07:36You didn't even bother to have dinner ready for us.
07:38I closed the book and stood up.
07:40There's food in the fridge.
07:42Mom glared at me and walked past me.
07:44Chloe peeked out from behind Ethan,
07:45decked out in a signer dress and rare limited edition sneakers.
07:48The ultimate New York trophies.
07:50She lowered her head, her voice cracking with unshened tears.
07:55Claire, please don't be mad at Mom and Ethan.
07:58I'm the one who begged them to come to New York with me.
08:01If you're going to hate anyone, hate me.
08:05Why are you apologizing, Chloe?
08:07Who does she think she is to be mad at you?
08:09He turned to me, his gaze sharp.
08:11Lose the attitude, Claire.
08:12She's about to start a pre-college program
08:14and she's already under so much pressure.
08:15Can't you be a supportive sister for once in your life?
08:18I looked at my own brother.
08:19Since we were kids, it was always the same.
08:22The moment Chloe cried, I was automatically the one in the wrong.
08:25Mom walked over, holding her glass of water.
08:28Then where is the money, Claire?
08:31Lucas told you to transfer the money for Chloe's apartment.
08:35Why haven't you done it?
08:37Chloe literally cried herself to sleep last night
08:39because she missed out on that beautiful place.
08:43I looked at my mother's entitled face.
08:46I bled for that grant.
08:47I spent countless all-a-nights drafting and trashing designs
08:50until my hands bled.
08:52Why the hell should I just hand it over to her?
08:56Mom slammed the glass down hard onto the coffee table.
08:58Because she's your sister.
09:01You got into an Ivy League.
09:03You'll have no problem making money down the road.
09:06But Chloe doesn't have it as easy as you do.
09:09She needs a head start.
09:11Is it really so much to ask for you to help your own sister?
09:15Right then, Lucas walked in.
09:17He was holding a Sikh silver box.
09:19It was the latest drawing tablet,
09:20one I'd been eyeing for six months
09:22but couldn't bring myself to buy.
09:24I was a design major.
09:25I needed it.
09:26But Lucas had promised it to me as a graduation gift
09:28if I got into Columbia.
09:30Chloe, here's the tablet you wanted.
09:33Oh my god, Lucas!
09:35You are literally the best!
09:36Lucas ruffled her hair,
09:38his eyes full of affection.
09:40I stood there, staring at the silver box.
09:43Lucas turned to look at me.
09:45Claire, your old tablet still works fine
09:47and I just started at the firm
09:48so cash is a little tight right now.
09:50Don't be petty.
09:51I'll get you a new one next year with my bonus.
09:53He always had a way of delivering the cruelest blows
09:56in the gent gentlest tones.
09:57I just nodded calmly.
09:59Okay, I won't be petty.
10:01Lucas paused.
10:02In the past, I would have fought him through tears.
10:05He thrived on my jealousy,
10:07loved seeing me hurt over him
10:09just so he could toss me a bone
10:11and pretend to be the savior.
10:12But today, I said nothing.
10:14I just turned and walked toward my bedroom.
10:23Well, at least she's finally learning to shut up
10:26and know her place.
10:27Leaning against the closed door,
10:29I looked down at my packed suitcase.
10:32Inside were only a few old clothes
10:34and my old tablet,
10:36its screen already covered in cracks.
10:39It didn't matter.
10:41California is bathed in sunshine.
10:44I no longer needed their artificial light.
10:47The celebration dinner was set for the weekend.
10:50They booked the entire ballroom
10:52at the city's most exclusive country club.
10:55The welcome sign at the entrance
10:57read an elegant creole.
10:59Congratulations, Chloe,
11:00Columbia University Prep Program.
11:02And at the very bottom,
11:03my name was squeezed into the corner
11:05like an afterthought.
11:06And congrats it to Claire.
11:08The font was so small,
11:10it was barely legible.
11:11The relatives streamed in one after another.
11:14My parents stood at the entrance,
11:16their faces glowing with pride.
11:19Aunt Beatrice walked over,
11:21holding Chloe's hand
11:23and praising her endlessly.
11:24Oh, Chloe, sweetie,
11:26I'm just thrilled for you.
11:28You know how impossibly hard it is
11:31to get into that Columbia Prep Program.
11:34But of course,
11:35with Lucas pulling strings for you,
11:38nothing is impossible.
11:40Turning around,
11:41she spotted me sitting in the corner
11:43and offered a dismissive smile.
11:45Oh, and good job to you too, Claire.
11:48Now that you'll both be in New York,
11:50remember you're the older sister.
11:51It's your job to look after Chloe
11:53and make sure she has everything she needs.
11:56I looked down at the ice water in front of me
11:58and said nothing.
11:59The banquet ticked off.
12:01Dad stepped to the front,
12:02clinking his champagne glass
12:03to command the room
12:04before opening with a toast.
12:06Chloe glided onto the stage,
12:08soaking in the attention
12:09the stunning designer dress
12:10Luca had bought her.
12:11Thank you, Mom, Dad, Ethan,
12:13and most of all,
12:15Lucas.
12:15She blushed,
12:17looking at Lucas at the main table.
12:18I honestly wouldn't be standing here today
12:20without Lucas' encouragement.
12:22He never stopped believing in me,
12:24even when I wanted to give up.
12:26The room erupted into thunderous applause.
12:31Knowing glances passed among the guests,
12:34shifting between the two of them,
12:36Lucas sat at the main table,
12:38a slight smile on his face.
12:39I sat at a side table on the very edge.
12:42My table mates were distant relatives
12:44who rarely visited.
12:46They sipped champagne
12:47and lowered their voices in discussion.
12:50It's so weird.
12:52Claire got a full ride
12:53to an actual Ivy League school
12:55and they barely blink an eye,
12:57but they throw this massive party
12:59for Chloe's prep program.
13:03Oh, please.
13:05Chloe is the pretty, sweet one.
13:08With her looks,
13:09she's guaranteed to land a millionaire
13:10down the road.
13:12I think Lucas definitely
13:14has feelings for her.
13:15Right.
13:16We might share the exact same face,
13:18but I'll always be the spare.
13:20I took a bite of smoked salmon
13:22from the buffet plate.
13:24Very salty.
13:27The club servers wheeled out
13:28a three-tier cake.
13:30Lucas walked up to the stage
13:31and took the knife.
13:33He took Chloe's hand
13:34and together they sliced
13:36the first piece.
13:37Plate in hand,
13:38he walked straight over
13:40and looked down at me.
13:41Claire,
13:42Chloe insisted you get
13:43the first slice.
13:45She feels bad
13:46because you've been throwing
13:46a tantrum all week.
13:48Just take it.
13:50Everyone is watching,
13:52so don't ruin her night.
13:54I looked at the cream-covered
13:55slice of cake on the plate.
13:57On stage,
13:58Chloe was watching me expectantly.
14:00I didn't pick up the fork.
14:01I don't like sweets.
14:03Lucas's jaw tightened instantly.
14:04Do you really have to do this
14:06right now?
14:08Just then,
14:09Chloe ran over,
14:11holding up the hem of her dress.
14:13Claire,
14:14please don't be mad at me
14:15about the drawing tablet.
14:16I didn't...
14:17No, Lucas bought it
14:19for you first.
14:20I'll give it back to you,
14:22I promise.
14:23Please just don't hate me.
14:24As she leaged for my hand,
14:26her elbow violently
14:28clipped the table end,
14:29the plate tipped it,
14:30and the frosted cake
14:31splattered brutally
14:32across the pristine white dress.
14:35I'm sorry, Claire!
14:36She covered her mouth,
14:38stepping back.
14:39Ethan rushed over instantly
14:41and shoved me away,
14:43shielding Chloe in his arms.
14:44She was just trying
14:45to do something nice for you,
14:47pushed her?
14:47I stumbled back,
14:49a dull ache.
14:51I didn't even touch her.
14:53Cut the crap, Claire!
14:54It's just a stupid dress!
14:56Chloe didn't mean to do it!
14:59Mom hurried over too,
15:01glaring at me fiercely.
15:03You just couldn't let her
15:04have one good day!
15:06Could you?
15:08You always defined a way
15:10to ruin everything!
15:11Looking at the ruined dress
15:13and the permanent stain,
15:14I felt the final string
15:15snap inside me.
15:17None of this mattered anymore.
15:18I didn't go to the restroom.
15:20Instead,
15:21I picked up my canvas toad bag
15:23from the back of the chair.
15:24Don't worry,
15:25I won't ruin your precious
15:26family moment anymore.
15:27I'm leaving.
15:33Claire!
15:34Lucas' voice came from behind.
15:36I didn't stop,
15:37walking straight out
15:38the club doors.
15:39Lucas caught up
15:39and grabbed my wrist.
15:40Get back inside, Claire.
15:42Don't do this.
15:44Everyone is looking at us.
15:45You are not going to ruin
15:46Chloe's night
15:46over a little drama.
15:48I stopped and turned
15:49to look at him.
15:50His shirt was slightly
15:51disheveled,
15:52messed up from when
15:53he was protecting
15:54Chloe just now.
15:55My dress
15:57is ruined, Lucas.
15:58So go sponge it off
16:00in the bathroom.
16:01It's not the end of the world.
16:02When did you become
16:02so bitter and vindictive?
16:04As it turned out,
16:05I wasn't even allowed
16:06to be upset
16:06over my own ruined dress.
16:08I'm not washing it.
16:10In fact,
16:11you can keep the dress.
16:14I'm done with it.
16:16I'm done with all of you.
16:17I pried his fingers away,
16:19one by one.
16:20Lucas stared
16:20at his empty palm,
16:22his brow
16:22fertiling deeper.
16:23Where are you going?
16:26Home.
16:27I raised my hand,
16:28flagging down
16:29a passing yellow cab.
16:30As the car pulled away,
16:32Lucas' figure grew
16:33smaller and smaller
16:34in the rearview mirror.
16:36Two days later,
16:37moving day arrived.
16:38From the crack of dawn,
16:39the entire house
16:39was turned upside down.
16:41A small mountain
16:41of Chloe's luggage
16:42blocked the living room.
16:43At least seven or eight
16:44oversized suitcases.
16:46Ethan meticulously
16:46cross-checked her packing list.
16:49Did you grab your winter coat?
16:50New York winters are no joke.
16:52Yeah, yeah.
16:53I got it.
16:55I walked out of my bedroom,
16:56dragging a small suitcase.
16:58No one noticed me.
16:59Lucas pulled up out front
17:00and immediately came up to help,
17:02making trips back and forth
17:03with Chloe's bags
17:04until the trunk and back seats
17:05were packed with Chloe's things.
17:07I stood at the foyer.
17:08Lucas wiped the sweat
17:09from his forehead,
17:10walked over,
17:10and looked at my luggage.
17:13Claire,
17:14the car's completely packed
17:15and you barely have anything anyway.
17:18Just catch an Uber to the airport
17:20and grab the next flight.
17:23Text me when you land
17:24and I'll pick you up
17:25once everything's all settled,
17:26alright?
17:26Ethan chapped in from the driveway,
17:28crossing his arms.
17:29Yeah, Claire.
17:31You've always been independent.
17:32Not like Chloe.
17:33She gets totally lost
17:34without a GPS.
17:35My fingers tightened
17:36around the handle
17:37of my suitcase.
17:38Then, slowly,
17:40I let go.
17:42Okay.
17:42Lucas gave my hair
17:43a patronizing ruffle,
17:45looking pleased.
17:46Good girl.
17:47I'll make it up to you
17:48with a nice dinner
17:48once you get to the city.
17:50They crowded around Chloe
17:51and went downstairs.
17:53The house fell completely quiet.
17:55I checked my phone screen.
17:57On the app,
17:58my digital ticket gleamed.
18:00A one-way flight to California,
18:02boarding in two hours.
18:03At 3 p.m.,
18:05the gates of Columbia University
18:06were bustling.
18:07He looked down at his phone.
18:09No new message.
18:12Frowning,
18:13he dialed my number.
18:15Your call has been forwarded
18:17to an automated
18:18voice-digging system.
18:19Lucas kicked a pebble
18:20on the ground
18:21in frustration.
18:24Claire's still not here?
18:26Straight to voicemail.
18:28Lucas schnaffed.
18:29She's definitely throwing a fit
18:31and screening my calls.
18:32She's being completely
18:33impossible lately.
18:35Honestly,
18:35just ignore her.
18:36Once she gets lost
18:37in the city,
18:38trying to haul
18:38all her luggage
18:39by herself,
18:40she'll come crawling
18:40back to us,
18:41crying.
18:41Lucas stared
18:43at the passing crowd.
18:44His gaze locked
18:46onto every single girl
18:47stepping out of a taxi.
18:49Meanwhile,
18:513,000 miles away,
18:52California was bathed
18:54in brilliant golden sunshine.
18:56Dragging my small suitcase,
18:57I stood in the orientation
18:58center for
18:59Niztapar Arktashmiyev school.
19:01Welcome to Califere.
19:02Go ahead and sign
19:03the welcome wall
19:03right over there.
19:05Under the freshman section,
19:06architect,
19:07text,
19:07or to design,
19:08I signed my name.
19:11Claire.
19:14I held out my phone
19:15for the orientation volunteer
19:16to scan my UR code,
19:18trading it from dorm key
19:19and student ID.
19:20The volunteer flashed
19:21a bright smile.
19:22Hey,
19:23need a luggage cart
19:24to haul your stuff
19:25to your dorm?
19:25No, thank you.
19:26I can manage.
19:27Pulling my suitcase
19:28down the shaded walkway,
19:29I turned my phone on.
19:30The screen was instantly
19:31flooded with missed calls
19:32and message notifications.
19:34On iMessage,
19:35Lucas had sent over
19:36a dozen urgent texts.
19:37The first one was
19:38relatively calm in tone.
19:40Did you land yet?
19:41I'm going to the airport
19:42to pick you up.
19:43By the third text,
19:44he was growing impatient.
19:45I didn't reply.
19:46Instead,
19:47I unlocked my dorm door,
19:48started carefully
19:49wiping down the desk
19:50and chairs,
19:51and made my bed.
19:52It wasn't until
19:53eight that evening,
19:54after a shower,
19:55that I sat at my
19:56clean desk
19:56and finally dialed
19:57Lucas' number.
19:58So you finally
19:59remembered a call?
20:00Where the hell are you?
20:01I checked the arrivals board
20:02and that flight landed
20:03an hour ago.
20:03You're not at the terminal!
20:05Did you even get
20:05on the damn plane?
20:06In the background,
20:07I could hear
20:07Chloe crying.
20:08Lucas,
20:09is Claire doing this
20:10because of me?
20:11I held the phone
20:12a little further away.
20:13After he finished
20:14yelling,
20:15I spoke calmly.
20:16I'm not in New York,
20:17Lucas.
20:18Dead silence
20:18on the other end.
20:19When Lucas spoke again,
20:21his voice dropped
20:21to a mannosing hiss.
20:23Are you kidding me?
20:24You applied to Columbia.
20:25If you're not in New York,
20:26where are you?
20:26You think you own
20:27the university?
20:28You can just decide
20:29not to go?
20:30I rejected Columbia
20:31and accepted an offer
20:32in California.
20:33I already finished
20:34orientation at 3 o'clock
20:36this afternoon.
20:36I looked at the
20:37brilliant California
20:38night view outside
20:39my window.
20:40My tone completely
20:41unruffled.
20:41Impossible!
20:42Lucas blurted out,
20:44his tone full of
20:45disbelief.
20:46How many all-nighters
20:47did you pull for New York?
20:48How could you possibly
20:49go to California?
20:50Stop lying, Claire!
20:51Are you hiding out
20:52some sketchy
20:53New York hotel
20:54playing hard to get
20:55just so we'll come
20:56begging for your forgiveness?
20:57He was still
20:58absolutely certain
20:59I was playing hard to get.
21:01Before I could even
21:02open my mouth,
21:03Ethan tore the phone
21:04from Lucas,
21:05his fury exploding
21:06through the speaker.
21:07Claire, have you
21:08completely lost your mind?
21:10Are you throwing away
21:11your future just to
21:12compete with Chloe?
21:13California is halfway
21:14across the country.
21:15You are dropping out
21:16right now,
21:17packing your bags,
21:18and reapplying to
21:18transfer back here
21:19next year.
21:20Listening to his
21:21arrogant commands,
21:22I couldn't help but
21:23find the whole thing
21:24utterly hilarious.
21:25Drop out?
21:26Reapply?
21:27Ethan, this school's
21:28architecture program
21:29is top three or
21:30nationwide.
21:30The degree carries
21:31just as much weight
21:32as Columbia's.
21:33Why should I drop out?
21:34Didn't you all accuse
21:35me of stealing
21:35Chloe's spotlight?
21:36Well, now I'm
21:373,000 miles away.
21:38She can shine
21:39all she wants.
21:40There's no one left
21:41to compete with her.
21:42It's nice.
21:42Peaceful, even.
21:44You...
21:44Ethan was choked up,
21:46unable to speak.
21:47The phone went back
21:47to Lucas.
21:48He seemed to finally
21:49realize I wasn't joking.
21:50His breathing grew heavy.
21:52Claire, do you have
21:53any idea what you're doing?
21:54Are you treating
21:55your future like a joke
21:56just to spite us?
21:58Do you think if you
21:58go to California
21:59we'll feel sorry for you?
22:01In his coldest tone,
22:03he delivered his
22:03final ultimatum.
22:05I'm telling you,
22:06get your ass back here
22:07right now and I'll
22:08let this slide.
22:09But if you insist
22:10on staying in California,
22:11don't you dare come
22:12crawling back to me
22:13when you crash and burn!
22:14I lowered my eyes,
22:15looking at the brand new
22:16textbook on my desk.
22:18Fine, I won't.
22:19I pulled up his contact
22:20and hit block,
22:21cutting him out of my life
22:22in a single tap.
22:24The motion was fluid,
22:25without a shred of hesitation.
22:26Next was Ethan,
22:27then my parents,
22:28and finally Chloe.
22:29I erased every single way
22:31they could ever reach me.
22:32Done with it all,
22:33I let out a long breath.
22:35New York was freezing anyway.
22:36I didn't want it anymore.
22:38Three months passed
22:40in a flash
22:40under the warm California sun.
22:42Without the endless
22:43criticism and toxic comparisons,
22:46I felt lighter
22:47than I ever had before.
22:48I joined the department's
22:50design studio
22:50and ranked first in my major
22:52among the freshmen.
22:53My advisor recognized
22:54my potential early on
22:56and put me in charge
22:57of a major corporate
22:59sponsored project.
23:00Between the studio
23:01and the library,
23:02my days were packed,
23:03but deeply fulfilling.
23:05On weekends,
23:06I would grab coffee
23:07in the neighborhood
23:07with my roommates
23:08and watch the sunset
23:09at the beach.
23:10The names Lucas and Chloe
23:12no longer existed
23:13in my world.
23:14Meanwhile,
23:15in distant New York,
23:16life didn't seem so easy.
23:17At least,
23:18that was the gossip
23:19trickling down
23:20from my old high school
23:21cosm eggs.
23:22Chloe's pre-college life
23:23was a disaster.
23:24Pampered her whole life,
23:26she lacked basic
23:26survival skills,
23:28she was constantly at war
23:29with her roommates.
23:30And academically,
23:31she was dead last,
23:33completely failing
23:34to keep up with her classes.
23:36At first,
23:37Lucas and Ethan
23:38patiently cleaned up
23:39after her,
23:40doing her homework
23:40and bribing her roommates
23:42with designer bags
23:43to keep the peace.
23:45But over time,
23:46Chloe's tantrums
23:47only escalated.
23:48Between her demands
23:50and his own crushing workload,
23:52Lucas's patience
23:53was wearing paper thin.
23:55The first snow
23:56of the New York winter
23:57fell heavily.
23:59Lucas had a high fever.
24:00Lying in his apartment bed,
24:01he hip-to-bitrally
24:03called out toward the door.
24:05Claire,
24:05get me some water.
24:07The room was dead silent.
24:08There were no footsteps,
24:10no glass of water
24:11at just the right temperature,
24:13and no girl
24:13who would stay
24:14by his bed aside
24:15all night,
24:15reminding him
24:16to take his medicine
24:17on time.
24:18Lucas snapped
24:18his eyes open,
24:20looking at the empty room
24:21with a splitting headache.
24:22He reached for his phone,
24:24subconsciously clipped
24:25on my number,
24:25and sent a text.
24:26I have a fever.
24:27A stark red exclamation mark
24:29popped up next to the bubble.
24:30Beneath it,
24:31the words read,
24:32Not Delivered.
24:33Lucas stared at the red icon,
24:35his heart skipping
24:36a violent beat.
24:37A sudden,
24:38suffocating mix
24:39of irritation and panic
24:40tightened around his chest.
24:42Three months.
24:44He genuinely believed
24:45Claire was just throwing
24:46a tantrum
24:46to get his attention,
24:48that once reality hit her
24:49and she couldn't
24:49hack it on her own,
24:51she'd come crawling back,
24:52but she hadn't.
24:53Not only was she not back,
24:54she had erased herself
24:55from his world completely.
24:58The door was pushed open
25:00and Chloe walked in,
25:01bringing a wave
25:02of cold air with her.
25:03She held a cup
25:04of iced milk tea
25:05in her hand.
25:05Lucas,
25:06are you feeling any better?
25:08My roommates were being
25:09total bitches
25:10to me again today.
25:12Can you go give them
25:13a piece of your mind tomorrow?
25:14She didn't even notice
25:15how pale he was,
25:17too wrapped up
25:17in her own whining.
25:19Looking at her,
25:20a memory of how Claire
25:21used to take care of him
25:22suddenly flashed
25:23through Lucas' mind,
25:24quiet,
25:24meticulous,
25:25never complaining.
25:26Get out.
25:27What?
25:27Chloe froze.
25:29I said get the hell out!
25:30Lucas roared,
25:31shocked and terrified.
25:32Tears welled up
25:33in Chloe's eyes.
25:34She slammed the door
25:35and fled.
25:37Forcing himself
25:38to sit up,
25:39Lucas opened
25:40a booking app
25:41and bought the earliest
25:42flight to California.
25:43I'm just going to see
25:44how miserable she is.
25:45As long as she swallows
25:46her pride
25:47and apologizes,
25:48I'll throw her a bone
25:49and bring her back
25:50to New York.
25:51He still genuinely believed
25:52he held all the cards.
25:54The winter sun in California
25:55still carried a gentle warmth.
25:57With no classes
25:57in the afternoon,
25:59Ryan,
25:59my project partner,
26:01walked beside me,
26:02helping me carry
26:02a heavy box
26:03of model-making supplies.
26:05He smiled brightly.
26:05Claire,
26:07your design idea
26:08for the building facade
26:08is brilliant.
26:10Seriously,
26:11we have to celebrate.
26:12Dinner's on me tonight.
26:13Sure,
26:14but it's a deal.
26:15Next time is on me.
26:16We headed together
26:17towards the campus gates,
26:18discussing the modeling details.
26:20The moment we stepped outside,
26:22the smile froze on my face.
26:24Lucas stood under a tall tree.
26:26He wore a thin black overcoat.
26:28He looked like
26:28a completely different person
26:30from the perfectly groomed,
26:31arrogant Ivy League elite
26:33he used to be.
26:34When he saw me,
26:35his eyes lit up instantly
26:36and he strode towards me.
26:39His gaze locked
26:39onto the scant inches
26:40between Ryan and me,
26:42his brow furrowing deeply.
26:43He stepped forward,
26:44habitually reaching out
26:45to grab my wrist.
26:46Claire,
26:47are you finally done
26:49throwing your little tantrum?
26:50Pack up your things.
26:51We're heading back to New York.
26:53His tone was still
26:54that of a master
26:55giving orders,
26:55as if I were a lost pet
26:57and all he had to do
26:58was snap his fingers
26:59for me to wag my tail
27:01and crawl back in gratitude.
27:02I took a step back,
27:03calmly evading his hand.
27:05Lucas's hand froze midair.
27:07He looked at me,
27:08a flicker of disbelief
27:09passing through his eyes.
27:11Claire,
27:12what the hell is this?
27:13I looked at him,
27:14my gaze like that
27:15of someone looking
27:16at a complete stranger
27:17on the street.
27:18Sir,
27:19you've got the wrong person.
27:21Lucas's face contorted
27:22with rage.
27:23His voice boomed
27:24as he pointed
27:25an accusing finger
27:26at Ryan.
27:26You've got the wrong person?
27:28Stop playing games, Claire.
27:30Did you throw away
27:31your entire future
27:32and come to this
27:33garbage school
27:34just for some guy?
27:35Do you have any idea
27:37how much the family
27:38is suffering
27:39because of you?
27:40Chloe cries herself
27:41to sleep every night.
27:42How can you be
27:43so damn heartless?
27:45Ryan stepped up,
27:46completely body blocking
27:47me from Lucas.
27:48Look, man,
27:49I don't give a shit
27:50who you think you are.
27:51Lower your voice
27:52and back the hell off.
27:53Right now.
27:54Blinded by fury,
27:56Lucas lodged forward
27:57and shoved Ryan's chest.
27:58Get the fuck
27:59out of my face!
28:01This is none
28:01of your business!
28:03I grabbed Ryan's arm
28:04and pulled him back,
28:05stepping directly
28:06into Lucas's line of sight.
28:08His face was contorted
28:09with rage.
28:10Lucas Vance.
28:11Chloe is crying
28:12because her live-in maid
28:13walked out
28:14and she has no one left
28:15to clean up after her.
28:16Mom and dad
28:17are tearing each other apart
28:18because they finally realize
28:19their precious little princess
28:20is completely useless,
28:22right?
28:22And you?
28:23I looked him up and down.
28:24You flew across the country
28:26because the moment
28:26you got a fever,
28:27you realized
28:28there was no one left
28:29to fetch you
28:29a glass of water?
28:30Am I right?
28:31Lucas froze,
28:32looking as if I'd just
28:33ripped the air
28:34right out of his lungs.
28:35His lips opened,
28:36but he couldn't form
28:36a single word.
28:37He thought I knew nothing.
28:39In reality,
28:39I saw through everything.
28:41Claire,
28:42I didn't...
28:42His voice suddenly turned dry,
28:44the anger in his eyes
28:46replaced by a tress of panic.
28:47Keep it that way.
28:48Go back to New York, Lucas.
28:50Don't ruin California for me.
28:51Let's go.
28:52I brushed past him
28:53without another glance.
28:54Lucas just stood there,
28:55staring after me
28:56as I walked away.
28:57In that moment,
28:58the truth finally sank in.
28:59My eyes held no bitterness,
29:01no anger,
29:01and no regret,
29:02only pure,
29:03unadulterated indifference.
29:04I was truly,
29:06completely done with him.
29:08News of Lucas's miserable failure
29:09in California
29:10made its way back to New York,
29:12but my family
29:13barely had time to process it.
29:15A much bigger disaster
29:16had just exploded
29:17right on their doorstep.
29:18Chloe had been caught
29:19flagantly plaitorizing
29:20her final portfolio
29:21for the pre-college program.
29:23She hadn't just stolen
29:24a classmate's design blueprints.
29:26She'd outsourced
29:26her entire physical model
29:28to a paid freelancer.
29:29Instead of apologizing,
29:31Chloe threw a fit
29:31in the dean's office
29:32and physically assaulted
29:33a pregnant professor.
29:35She was arrested on the spot.
29:37Columbia kicked her
29:38out of the program instantly,
29:39and the entire meltdown
29:41was posted on Sidechat,
29:42making her a campus-wide
29:43laughing-stoat.
29:44She was now facing
29:45a felony trial.
29:46My family's golden child
29:48was officially a criminal.
29:49My parents and Ethan
29:50were in a complete panic.
29:52They pulled every string
29:53and sought every connection
29:54they could,
29:55only to hit dead ends everywhere.
29:57Desperate and out of options,
29:59they finally remembered
30:00my existence.
30:01Their disposable biological daughter
30:03was suddenly valuable
30:04now that I was the star student
30:06of a top-tier program
30:07in California.
30:08Two days later,
30:09my parents and Ethan
30:10showed up at a diner
30:11across from my campus,
30:12looking hammy and exhausted
30:14after a panicked
30:15cross-country flight.
30:17Having not seen them
30:18for three months,
30:19I noticed they looked
30:19ten years older.
30:21Mom's hair was a mess,
30:22her eyes red and swollen.
30:23Ethan had lost every ounce
30:25of his usual arrogant swagger,
30:27looking utterly defeated.
30:28Claire, you have to save Chloe.
30:30She's just a child.
30:31She didn't mean it.
30:32You're the top student here.
30:34You must have connections.
30:35Pull some strings, please.
30:37I coldly pulled my hand back,
30:39pulled out a tissue,
30:40and wiped the spot
30:41she had touched.
30:42I'm just a student.
30:43I don't have that kind
30:44of ability.
30:45Ethan grew anxious
30:46and slammed his hand
30:47onto the table.
30:48Stop playing dumb, Claire.
30:50The assistant dean she pushed,
30:51she was your lead professor
30:52during the Columbia
30:53Summer Studio, right?
30:55She adored you.
30:56Go apologize to her
30:57and take the fall for Chloe.
30:58Looking at Ethan's
30:59self-righteous face,
31:00I couldn't help
31:00but laugh out loud.
31:02Take the fall for her?
31:03Ethan, are you out of your mind?
31:04She's an academic fraud
31:06and a criminal.
31:06She broke the law,
31:08she committed academic misconduct,
31:09and you want me
31:10to take the blame?
31:12Claire, we're family.
31:13If Chloe is ruined,
31:14our whole family is finished.
31:16You've always been
31:16the responsible one, Claire.
31:18I am begging you
31:19as your father,
31:19just make this one sacrifice
31:22for the family.
31:23Suffer a little?
31:23The smile completely faded
31:25from my face.
31:26I pulled out my phone
31:26and hit play
31:27on an audio file.
31:28One I'd recorded
31:29outside their bedroom
31:30the day college decisions dropped.
31:31Mom's voice cut through the cafe.
31:33Crystal clear.
31:34Since Claire got a full
31:35Ivy League ride,
31:36she'll survive just fine.
31:38Poor Chloe is so far behind,
31:40only getting into
31:40the prep program.
31:42Once they're in New York,
31:43we'll make Claire look after her
31:44and hand over her
31:45scholarship money to Chloe.
31:46Claire's tough anyway.
31:48It won't hurt her
31:48to struggle a little.
31:50The recording finished playing
31:51and a dead silence
31:52fell over the cafe.
31:53The exact second
31:54you booked those flights
31:55to New York
31:56and left me behind,
31:56you ceased to be my family.
31:58Chloe is a monster
31:59of your own making.
32:00You brewed this poison.
32:02Now choke on it.
32:03Never look for me again.
32:03I turned on my heel
32:04and walked out.
32:05Behind me,
32:06Mom disrupted
32:07into hysterical sobs
32:08while Ethan screamed profanities,
32:10but I didn't look back once.
32:12With steady,
32:13unyearling steps,
32:14I walked out
32:15into the bright
32:16California sun.
32:17The Sinclair family
32:19completely fell into chaos.
32:20The professor refused
32:22to drop the civil suit.
32:24Facing catastrophic damages
32:26and astronomical legal fees,
32:28my parents had no choice
32:30but to short sale
32:31their suburban home
32:32for pennies on the dollar.
32:33just to stay out of bankruptcy.
32:35Unable to breathe
32:36in the suffocating ruins
32:37of their home,
32:38Ethan had an explosive blowout
32:40with our parents.
32:41He dropped out of college
32:42and fled out of state,
32:43working dead-end jobs
32:45just to survive.
32:46As for Lucas,
32:47he completely broke down.
32:48He returned to New York
32:50only to find he could
32:51no longer focus on anything.
32:53He went back
32:54to our old neighborhood,
32:55trying to find some trace
32:56of the past
32:57in my old room.
32:59But he found the room
33:00completely empty.
33:01Except for a bed
33:03and a desk,
33:03there was nothing left.
33:05A few days later,
33:06he received a large FedEx box.
33:08The sender was Claire
33:09from California.
33:10With trembling hands,
33:11he opened the box.
33:12Inside was everything
33:13he had given me
33:14over the years.
33:15Cheap hair clips,
33:16plush toys he had bought
33:17on a whim,
33:18and that old drawing tablet
33:19he had used
33:19to brush me off.
33:20At the very bottom
33:21of the box
33:22lay an envelope.
33:23Lucas opened it,
33:24and a pile of shredded
33:26paper pieces fell out.
33:27It was a note
33:28he had written to me
33:29in high school.
33:30When you get into Columbia,
33:31we'll get married.
33:32Lucas dropped to his knees,
33:34staring at the remnants
33:35of his own empty promises.
33:37He covered his face
33:38and broke down
33:39into violent,
33:40shaking sobs.
33:41He finally understood.
33:42What he had lost
33:43was a girl
33:44who would never look back.
33:46The heaviest rainstorm
33:47of the year
33:48was battering California.
33:49Inside the studio,
33:50I had just put
33:51the finishing touches
33:52on my final design blueprints.
33:54My phone rang.
33:55It was the RA on duty
33:56at the front desk.
33:58Claire,
33:59there's a guy
33:59outside the main entrance,
34:01standing dead
34:02in the pouring rain
34:03demanding to see you.
34:04Honestly,
34:04he looks like
34:05he's about to collapse.
34:06Do you want to come down?
34:07I sighed,
34:08grabbed a black umbrella,
34:10and went downstairs.
34:12I stepped outside
34:14to find Lucas
34:15soaked to the bone.
34:16Rain water streamed
34:17down his face
34:17and into his eyes,
34:18but he didn't even blink.
34:20His gaze
34:21entirely fixed on me.
34:22The moment
34:23he caught sight of me,
34:24he lunged forward.
34:26Claire,
34:27you're finally
34:28willing to see me.
34:29His eyes were red,
34:31his voice sounding
34:32utterly broken
34:33in the rainstorm.
34:34I was wrong, Claire.
34:35God,
34:35I was so wrong.
34:36I should have
34:37protect you.
34:39I'll cut Chloe
34:40out of my life
34:40permanently.
34:41I'll do whatever
34:42it takes
34:43to treat you right.
34:44Please,
34:46just come home with me.
34:47He tried to reach out
34:48and grab the hem
34:49of my clothes.
34:50I stood under the umbrella,
34:52not a single drop
34:53of rain touching me.
34:55Looking at his
34:56wretched state,
34:57I didn't even feel
34:58a trace of pleasure
34:59from revenge.
35:00I only felt
35:01a sense of pity.
35:02Lucas,
35:03you're too little,
35:04too late.
35:05Your regret means
35:06less than nothing
35:07to me now.
35:08I handed him
35:08an umbrella,
35:09dropping it
35:10at his feet.
35:10Save the tears
35:11for someone
35:12who cares.
35:13Because right now,
35:14you just disgust me.
35:17With that,
35:17I turned around
35:18to go back,
35:19without a shred
35:20of hesitation.
35:21Lucas stared
35:22at the black umbrella
35:23on the pavement
35:24before collapsing
35:25into the mud,
35:26utterly broken.
35:27The terrestrial rain
35:28poured down,
35:29drowning out
35:30his desperate sobs.
35:32With that,
35:33I closed the door,
35:34permanently shutting him
35:35and his rotting world
35:36out of my life.
35:38Three years later,
35:39early summer in California
35:40brought a gentle breeze.
35:41Wearing a well-tailored
35:43business suit,
35:44I stood in front
35:44of the city's
35:45largest landmark building.
35:46This was the first
35:48completed project
35:48I had helped design.
35:50As the youngest lead designer
35:51at a premier architectural firm,
35:53I had just bagged
35:54the industry's
35:55most prestigious
35:55Rising Star Award.
35:57Next month,
35:58I'd be heading to Europe
35:59on a highly coveted
36:00research fellowship.
36:02Before leaving,
36:03I returned to my hometown
36:04one last time
36:05to finalize
36:06the financial severance
36:07and sign the legal documents
36:09that would permanently
36:10untangle me
36:11from them.
36:13The streets of my hometown
36:14were still run down.
36:16I walked out of City Hall,
36:18holding the notarized
36:19independent legal documents
36:20in my hand.
36:22From now on,
36:23I had absolutely
36:24no legal connection
36:25to that family anymore.
36:27As I walked to the corner
36:28of the street,
36:29I stopped in my tracks.
36:31Near the entrance
36:32of a budget dollar store,
36:33I spotted three people
36:34who were at once
36:35intensely familiar
36:36and entirely unrecognizable.
36:38My parents' hair
36:40was gray,
36:41their backs hunched,
36:42arguing with the shop owner
36:44over a difference
36:45of a few cents.
36:46Chloe was blowed
36:47and unrecognizable
36:48in cheap,
36:49ragged clothes.
36:50She dragged
36:51a dirty toddler along,
36:52her expression
36:53completely vadent,
36:54as she watched
36:55the cars pass.
36:55I heard that she later
36:56hooked up with a street thug,
36:58got pregnant
36:59out of wedlock,
37:00and the man ran off,
37:01leaving her to be supported
37:02by her parents.
37:03And on the other side
37:04of the street,
37:06a man in a yellowed,
37:07white shirt
37:08was leaning against
37:09a wetility pole,
37:10smoking.
37:11It was Lucas.
37:13He didn't graduate.
37:15Due to chronic treancy
37:16and failing grades,
37:17he was expelled
37:18by Columbia University.
37:20The former golden boy
37:21now had nothing
37:22left his eyes
37:23but a hollow,
37:24lifeless void.
37:25He seemed to sense something
37:27and turned his head
37:28in my direction.
37:29The moment our eyes met,
37:31the hand Lucas held
37:32his cigarette with
37:32shook violently.
37:33The cigarette slipped
37:35from his trembling fingers,
37:36burning right through
37:37his worn-out shoe.
37:38He didn't even flinch.
37:39He wanted to look away
37:41in a panic,
37:42yet couldn't help
37:43but stare at me.
37:45My parents and Chloe
37:47followed his gaze
37:48and looked over.
37:49They saw me.
37:50They saw my exquisite makeup,
37:52my expensive watch,
37:53and the confidence
37:54and composure
37:55radiating from me.
37:56It was the very brilliance
37:58they had exhaust themselves
37:58trying to give Chloe,
38:00yet had personally
38:01stolen from me.
38:02Mom's cracked lips
38:03moved,
38:03as if she wanted
38:04to call my name.
38:06Chloe instinctively
38:07hid her hands
38:07behind her back,
38:08trying to cover
38:09her rough skin.
38:10Lucas took a step forward
38:12but stopped dead
38:13in his tracks,
38:14his eyes instantly
38:15turning red.
38:16Regret,
38:17despair,
38:18and pain
38:18intertwined into
38:19a comical picture
38:20on their faces.
38:21I looked at them.
38:22There was not a single
38:23ripple in my heart
38:24if I were looking
38:25at underrated strangers.
38:26I didn't gloat
38:28and I didn't say
38:28a single word.
38:29I simply turned away,
38:31stepping into the car
38:31waiting for me
38:32at the curb.
38:33As the car door
38:33closed,
38:34I heard a deeply
38:35earth-pressed sob
38:36from behind,
38:36but I didn't look back.
38:38As the car pulled
38:38away smoothly,
38:40the run-down scenery
38:41of my old hometown
38:42flashed the window,
38:43fading into irrelevance.
38:45My phone vibrated.
38:47It was a message from Ryan.
38:49Claire, the celebration
38:50dinner for tonight
38:51is ready.
38:52Everyone is waiting
38:52for you.
38:53Staring at the message,
38:54I couldn't help
38:55but smile.
38:56Sunlight poured
38:56through the window,
38:57spilling over the back
38:58of my hand,
38:59pleasantly warm.
39:00I replied with a
39:01smiley face.
39:04On my way.
39:06Ahead was a vast,
39:07clear sky that belonged
39:08entirely to me.
39:10The restaurant downtown
39:12was warm and lively.
39:13The firm's partners
39:14raised their glasses,
39:15celebrating my upcoming
39:16European fellowship.
39:18Sitting among people
39:19who genuinely valued
39:20my work,
39:20I finally felt like
39:22I belonged.
39:22To our newest design
39:24partner and fellowship
39:25recipient.
39:26Cheers, Claire.
39:27You earned this.
39:28Thanks, Ryan.
39:30Honestly, it still
39:31feels a bit surreal.
39:33I took a sip of my wine.
39:34For the first time,
39:36a celebration felt
39:37entirely real.
39:38There was no hidden agenda,
39:40no guilt trips,
39:41and no family drama
39:42hanging over my head.
39:43Here, my hard work
39:45was met with respect,
39:46not resentment.
39:49Ryan slid a small,
39:50heavy box across
39:51the white tablecloth.
39:52A little parting gift
39:54for your travels.
39:55Open it.
39:56Inside was a sleek,
39:58matte black fountain pen
40:00with my initials
40:01neatly grecked
40:02near the cliff.
40:03To sketch your masterpieces
40:04with while you're over there.
40:06Just don't forget about us
40:07back in California
40:08when you make it big.
40:11Never.
40:11You're stuck with me
40:12as a partner, remember?
40:15We laughed,
40:16the sound easy and light.
40:18Later that night,
40:19I took a break
40:20from finishing my packing
40:21and stepped out
40:22onto the balcony.
40:24My luggage didn't feel
40:25like an afterthought anymore.
40:27It was packed
40:28with blueprints,
40:29tools,
40:29and a future
40:30I had built myself.
40:31I looked out
40:32at the dark horizon.
40:34The girl who used to cry
40:35over a shattered
40:36Columbia mud
40:37was gone.
40:38I had built
40:39my own foundation
40:40and this time
40:41it was rock solid.
40:44Six months later,
40:46London was cool
40:46and overcast.
40:47My fellowship
40:48at the Royal Institute
40:49was demanding,
40:50but every hour spent
40:51at the draft table
40:51felt incredibly fulfilling.
40:53The professors treated me
40:54with professional respect,
40:55taking an interest
40:56in my concepts
40:57for urban housing.
40:58One evening,
40:58my laptop buzzed
40:59with an e-drift
41:00unknown address.
41:00I clicked it open.
41:01It was from Ethan.
41:02He must have made
41:03a new account
41:03to get past my block.
41:04Claire,
41:05please don't delete this.
41:06Mom is sick
41:07and the medical bills
41:08are getting out hand.
41:10Chloe's baby needs
41:10basic supplies
41:11we can't dream of affording.
41:13I'm pulling 12-hour shifts
41:14at Warehouse
41:14and my back is completely shot.
41:16Just send whatever cash
41:17you can spare, Claire.
41:18We're still family.
41:19I stared at the screen,
41:21waiting to feel
41:22that old, familiar wave
41:23of panic or guilt,
41:24but nothing happened.
41:25I felt completely detached.
41:28I didn't fire off
41:29a furious reply,
41:30nor did I waste
41:31an ounce of energy
41:32feeling angry.
41:32I simply right-clicked,
41:35hit block sender,
41:37and purged
41:38the message permanently.
41:42Right after my phone
41:43buzzed with a text
41:44from Ryan,
41:45showing the latest updates
41:46on our project
41:46in California.
41:47The foundation is poured,
41:48Claire.
41:49It looks fantastic.
41:50When you heading back?
41:51I smiled,
41:52typing a quick response.
41:54Next month,
41:55get the coffee ready.
41:55I closed my laptop
41:57and looked out the window
41:58at the city.
42:00They wanted me
42:01to fix the mess
42:02they made,
42:02but I was focused
42:04on my own life now.
42:07Back across the ocean,
42:09a cold rain
42:10beat against the windows
42:12of a cramped
42:13two-bedroom apartment.
42:14My mother sat
42:15at the kitchen table,
42:17her hands worn
42:18from her shifts
42:19at the local grocery store.
42:21My father sat opposite her,
42:23staring at an architecture journal
42:24a neighbor had passed along.
42:26On the center spread
42:27was a feature article
42:28about my work,
42:29titled,
42:30Claire Sinclair,
42:31Redefining Urban Design.
42:33Mom's voice trembled
42:34as she stared
42:35at the photos.
42:36Look how elegant
42:37she is, Arthur.
42:37She looks so genuinely happy.
42:40We exiled
42:40our only successful child,
42:43all to cater
42:44to a giant mistake.
42:46Right then,
42:46the bedroom door
42:47flew open.
42:49Mom!
42:52The baby won't stop crying
42:54and we're out of formula.
42:56Why haven't you
42:57gone to the store yet?
42:58And why is it
42:59so cold in here?
43:00Turn the heat up!
43:01Mom looked up.
43:02Her expression
43:03completely exhausted.
43:06Because we don't
43:07have the money
43:08for it, Chloe.
43:13Then get a hold
43:14of Claire!
43:14She's swimming
43:15in cash now!
43:17Force her to give us
43:18a handout!
43:20Dad slammed
43:21his palm onto the table,
43:22sending the magazine
43:23fluttering to the floor.
43:26Shut the hell up,
43:27Chloe!
43:30She is never going
43:31to help us,
43:32and she is never
43:33coming back.
43:35The apartment
43:36fell completely silent,
43:37heavy with the realization
43:39of the choices
43:40they had made.
43:41On the other side
43:43of town,
43:43the neon sign
43:44of a quiet dive bar
43:45flickered against
43:46the wet pavement.
43:47Lucas sat at the counter,
43:49staring into his glass.
43:50He looked haggard,
43:52a far cry from the confident,
43:54sharp Ivy League
43:55golden boy
43:55he used to be.
43:57The door opened,
43:58and Ethan walked in,
43:59looking worn out
44:00after a long day
44:01at the warehouse.
44:02He sat down
44:03on the stool
44:03next to Lucas.
44:04You look exhausted, man.
44:06Lucas let out
44:06a quiet sigh,
44:08taking a drink.
44:11I saw her, Ethan,
44:13a few months ago,
44:14right before she left
44:15for Europe.
44:16She looked right
44:17through me.
44:18It was like
44:18I didn't even exist.
44:20Ethan stared at his hands,
44:22his voice dropping.
44:23I emailed her last week,
44:25begged her to help
44:25mom out with the bills.
44:27She blocked
44:28the new account
44:28within minutes.
44:30Lucas swirled
44:30his drink slowly.
44:33Remember when
44:34we left her behind
44:34for New York?
44:36We told her
44:37she was strong enough
44:38to handle it
44:38on her own?
44:40Ethan rubbed
44:41his face.
44:43Don't do this now,
44:44Lucas.
44:45She took us
44:46literally, Ethan.
44:47She became so independent
44:48that she completely
44:49outgrow us.
44:50We built the armor
44:50she's using
44:51to shut us out.
44:52He pulled a faded
44:53photo from his wallet,
44:54a picture of them
44:55from high school,
44:55back before everything
44:57fell apart.
44:58She's really gone,
44:59Ethan.
45:00Ethan remained silent.
45:02He just stared
45:03at the photo,
45:04finally accepting
45:05that the sister
45:06they had cast aside
45:07had built a life
45:08light years out
45:08of their miserable reach.
45:11The next two years
45:12passed in a rewarding
45:13routine of hard work
45:14and monumental growth.
45:16I finally returned
45:17to California,
45:18stepping off the plane
45:19into the warm sunshine.
45:20our firm
45:21had expanded
45:22significantly
45:23and my name
45:24was now etched
45:25on the glass doors
45:26of our office.
45:27Ryan met me
45:28in the lobby
45:28holding two iced coffees
45:30and a set
45:31of finalized prints.
45:32Welcome back,
45:33partner.
45:34Ready to see
45:34the finished project?
45:38Let's go.
45:41We drove down
45:42to the coast
45:43where the new
45:43cultural center stood.
45:45It was exactly
45:46what I had envisioned,
45:48a clean,
45:49modern structure
45:50of steel and glass
45:51looking out
45:52over the Pacific.
45:54I stood in the main
45:56atrium,
45:57looking up at the skylight
45:58as the afternoon sun
45:59poured through.
46:01Ryan walked up
46:02beside me,
46:03handing me my coffee.
46:05The city is thrilled
46:06with the result, Claire.
46:07You did an incredible job
46:08on this design.
46:10We did it together.
46:13I smiled,
46:14taking a sip.
46:15There was no anxiety
46:16left in my chest,
46:17no lingering bitterness
46:18about the past.
46:19My life was stable
46:20and fulfilling.
46:21I had built a career
46:23through my own effort,
46:24surrounded by people
46:25who respected me.
46:26The family drama
46:27that once consumed me
46:28now felt like a story
46:29about a complete stranger.
46:30I had left their
46:31broken choices
46:32in the dust,
46:33finally free to live
46:34the beautiful,
46:34real life
46:35I had built for myself.
46:37The grand opening
46:38of the cultural center
46:39was an absolute triumph.
46:41The room was filled
46:42with clients,
46:43city representatives
46:43and colleagues
46:44all raising their glasses
46:45to toast the completion
46:46of the project.
46:47I stood at the microphone
46:49keeping my remarks brief.
46:51Good architecture
46:52is about building spaces
46:53that last.
46:55Thank you all
46:56for trusting the design
46:57and making this project possible.
46:59The room applauded
47:01as I stepped down.
47:03After speaking
47:03with a few clients,
47:05I walked out
47:05onto the quiet terrace
47:07to look at the city light.
47:08lights.
47:10Ryan joined me.
47:12Excellent turnout tonight.
47:15You're going to be very busy
47:17with new projects after this.
47:19That's exactly
47:20what I'm hoping for.
47:21I pulled out my phone
47:22to check the time,
47:22my eyes briefly catching
47:23a glimpse of an old
47:24archived folder
47:25in my cloud storage.
47:26I realized I hadn't thought
47:27about Lucas, Chloe
47:28or my parents in months.
47:29Their choices no longer
47:30had any impact on my life.
47:31They were stuck living out
47:32the consequences
47:33of their broken choices.
47:34While my eyes were fixed
47:35firmly on the horizon,
47:36Ryan raised his glass to me
47:38under the clear night sky.
47:39To the next project, Claire.
47:42I clinked my glass to his,
47:43a profound sense of peace
47:45settling over me.
47:46To the next project.
47:48The path ahead
47:49was wide open
47:50and it belonged
47:51entirely to me.
47:52To the next project,
47:52the next project,
47:52you will be a big savy
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