Ch. They Forgot Me 99 Times, I Won’t Give Them a 100th Chance 14 They Forgot Me 99 Times, I Won’t Give Them a 100th Chance 14

I sat down and grabbed a slice of pizza. Every bite felt like swallowing needles. 

Mom and Dad exchanged a look. She opened her mouth, then closed it. 

“Elara, we bought a new house. Rooms have been assigned. You can come take a look when you have time.” 

I swallowed slowly. “How long ago?” 

“Six months. We never found the right time to tell you.” 

No time to tell me-or no intention? I could tell the difference. 

I hummed and asked, “What’s the code?” 

“971604.” 

971604. A combination of my brother’s and sister’s birthdays. 

I looked up at her. “Mom, what’s my birthday?” 

She froze, a little thrown. “What’s this about? Did you forget your own birthday?” 

Dad laughed, assuming I had. “You were born in winter. Actually came before your due date. Snowed that day. Your mom slipped, almost lost you. She went through a lot bringing you into this world. She always says you came to collect a debt.” 

Mom cleared her throat, her face stiff. She looked away. “Why bring that up?” 

I dropped my gaze. My hands wouldn’t stop shaking. 

A little while later, Lucas and Lily finished eating, pushed their plates into the sink, and disappeared into their 

rooms. Dad left. Mom got up too. 

“Elara, the slowest eater has to do the dishes.” 

She walked away. 

The table was littered with leftovers and dirty dishes. 

I was always the slowest. Because no one reminded me it was time to eat. Mom called Lucas. Dad called 

Lily. By the time I got there, the food was mostly gone. 

So I always did the dishes. 

While I was cleaning up, my grandparents started a mindlink with the whole family. 

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“I heard you’re taking Lily to Europe.” 

“Yes. Is there anything you want us to bring back?” 

Grandma laughed and said no. 

“Is Elara coming?” 

Mom answered without missing a beat. “No. She’s graduating this year. She wants to work, build experience.” 

Grandpa sighed. But he didn’t press further. 

Because for four years of college, that’s always how Mom and Dad answered. 

“Elara’s not coming on the hunt?” 

“She’s staying home. Homework.” 

“Elara’s not skiing with you?” 

“She’s not a fan of sports.” 

“Elara’s not taking photos?” 

“She’s breaking out. Doesn’t want pictures.” 

In their words, I was a boring bookworm. An outsider who didn’t fit in. A fool who only knew how to suffer. 

That way, no one could speak up for me-because that’s just who I was. 

The doorbell rang. 

I slid the last plate onto the rack, wiped my eyes, and walked over. 

“Package for you. Sign here.” 

My graduation certificate. 

Something lifted in my chest. It meant I could leave. 

“What came?” 

Lucas’s voice came from behind me. He had a coffee in hand, hands in his pockets, a faint smile on his face. 

“My diploma.” 

He shrugged and started to walk away. Then he paused. “What do you want for graduation? I promised you a 

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gift.” 

I blinked, surprised he remembered. 

I’d never expected anything. 

I thought for a moment. Then I looked up at him. 

“Come with me to get a vaccine tomorrow.” 

The company was sending me to South America. Mandatory vaccines, just in case. I wasn’t human-I was worried about allergic reactions. Even though the Wolf Management Bureau said there’d be none. 

He raised an eyebrow. “That’s it?” 

I nodded. “That’s it.” 

He gave a casual nod and said yes. 

But even that-he stood me up. 

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