Chapter 3

After Dad left, I felt empty inside and wanted to get some fresh air in the courtyard.

As soon as I stepped outside, I saw Connor and Vivian playing chess under the parasol tree.

Connor was frowning, looking completely focused.

I stood at the doorway, not daring to go over.

Connor hated being disturbed while playing chess. Once when I brought him tea and accidentally bumped the board, he snapped at me: "Little fool, stop making trouble!"

"Checkmate." Vivian smiled as she placed her piece.

Connor shook his head and laughed. "Vivian is still the best."

Neither of them noticed me.

I looked down at my shoes, thinking how amazing Vivian was. She could play chess and embroider. No wonder Connor liked spending time with her.

Me... I couldn't even recognize all the chess pieces.

"Thea?" Eleanor's voice came from behind me. "Why are you standing here spacing out?"

Before I could answer, Eleanor was already pulling me toward the tree. "Come, come. I just washed some fruit."

When Connor looked up and saw me, his smile faded considerably.

Vivian was kind though. "Thea's here! Do you want to learn chess?"

"She could never learn something like that." Connor smiled and turned to collect the chess pieces.

My heart ached. I tugged on Eleanor's sleeve and whispered, "Mom, Dad just came by and said he found me a pack... I might be mating with someone new."

Clatter. The chess piece in Connor's hand dropped onto the board and rolled to the ground.

"What?" Eleanor was shocked, dropping fruit all over the ground. "When did this happen? Which pack?"

I shook my head. "Dad didn't say clearly..."

Connor suddenly laughed coldly. "You'd mate with someone without even knowing who they are? Aren't you afraid of being sold and still helping them count the money?"

My face turned bright red. "Dad said they're good people. He wouldn't hurt me!"

Eleanor quickly tried to smooth things over. "Your father means well..."

"What good pack would want a fool like you?" Connor laughed again. "Stop dreaming."

"Dad said they don't mind that I'm slow..." I mumbled, feeling wronged.

"Only a fool would believe that."

"Connor!" Eleanor scolded, then took my hand gently. "Thea, are you unhappy living here? Mom knows it's hard being a widow... With Connor gone, Mom will treat you even better..."

I secretly glanced at Connor. He was staring hard at the chess board, his knuckles white, but still looking cold and distant.

"No, Mom treats me very well..." I twisted my clothes. "It's just... Dad said a girl should have somewhere to belong..."

Connor suddenly stood up, scattering chess pieces everywhere.

"If she wants to leave, let her leave! When she hits a wall out there, she'll realize that fools like her are unwelcome everywhere!"

Vivian gently tugged his sleeve, but he shook her off and walked away without looking back.

She looked at me, then at Eleanor, sighed softly, and followed him.

Eleanor hugged me, tears streaming down her face. "Silly child... Your brother speaks harshly, but he's worried about you too... If you leave, Mom's heart will..."

I looked down, twisting my clothes, and noticed fine rain starting to fall from the sky.

"Mom, look... it's really raining."

Ants are so smart. They know to hide early when it's going to rain.

Not like me. I didn't know Connor found me annoying, yet I kept bothering him every day.

The fine rain dampened my eyelashes. I blinked.

If I left, Connor wouldn't have to pretend to be dead anymore.

He should... be happy about that, right?