Ch. Ch 9 Don’t come back Ch 9

It’s okay, it’s okay.

Soon I wouldn’t see them again, wouldn’t disturb their perfect little family with Willow anymore.

I returned to school, moved into the dormitory, and continued perfecting my herbal research notes.

The next day, while heading to the library with Derek, I ran into Axel and Ryker.

I pretended not to see them, found a seat, opened my notebook, and continued writing word by word.

Willow dragged them to sit not far from me.

I could hear the girl’s giggling voice from time to time.

Axel and Ryker patted her head: “Be good now. In a few days, we’ll be off to the Caribbean.”

Hearing their words made it hard for me to breathe, so I got up and went for a drink of water.

When I returned, my notebook was in Willow’s hands.

Axel and Ryker had gone to get books from the shelves.

Willow was alone, tearing pages from my notebook.

Alarm bells rang in my head as I rushed forward and snatched the notebook from her hands.

She immediately threw herself dramatically to the floor, hitting her forehead on a chair, and screamed out in pain.

Students in the library turned to look at us.

With trembling hands, I opened my notebook.

Five years of herbal research notes—all torn to shreds. Most pieces were wet, the writing blurred beyond recognition.

On the only page that remained intact, she had drawn a crude smiley face with a marker.

That face grinned at me with bared teeth, menacing and mocking.

My mind buzzed with white noise.

Then Axel rushed over, immediately demanding without investigating:

“Ember, why did you push Willow?!”

Ryker helped Willow to her feet, his face darkened with anger.

More and more people gathered around us.

Derek, who had been browsing bookshelves, hurried over.

He looked at my notebook screen, then at my expression, and quickly understood.

“Your notes were torn up?!”

Axel’s angry expression froze as he approached and looked at my notebook.

After a long moment, he frowned: “This can’t be possible. Willow wouldn’t…”

“Let’s go,” I said calmly to Derek, not waiting for Axel to finish.

How strange.

I should have been furious. I should have lost control like countless times before, screaming at Willow or even striking her.

Then I should have fought bitterly with Axel and Ryker as they defended and indulged her.

But in this moment, I only wanted to leave.

I had argued with them for four years.

Four years of countless arguments, always with the same result.

Now, I didn’t want to fight anymore.

In a few days, I’d be gone anyway.

I picked up my ruined notebook and walked out of the library.

Behind me, Axel followed.