Chapter 13
Christmas Eve, Mrs. Johnson and I made cookies and watched holiday movies.[]
When midnight struck, my phone went absolutely crazy buzzing.[]
Christmas greetings flooding in.[]
From roommates, classmates, even some of my Bittersweet readers.[]
And yeah, the Whitmores too-
Mom: [Merry Christmas sweetie, Mommy misses you]]
Dad: [Merry Christmas, Daddy’s waiting for you to come home]]]
Mason: [Merry Christmas]]]
I didn’t answer any of them.[]
Ms. Johnson glanced over: “Your family?“[]
“They’re not my family
I put away my phone and handed her one of the cookies I’d made myself.[]
“Ms. Johnson, try this.“[]
After Ms. Johnson went to bed, I randomly got a text from Savannah.]
“You won.”
“I
Just those two words.
I didn’t reply.[]
Actually, I didn’t win or lose anything.
Because this was never a competition to begin with.[]
Next day, the internet exploded with news:
#Former Whitmore Heiress Dies Alone in Rental Apartment[]
#Whitmores Cut Ties with Adopted Daughter Savannah Cross–Moral Misconduct and Family Deception]]
as.0
I read the news thinking how twisted it was.
Did they think with Savannah completely out of the picture, I’d come running back?
Dream on.
Sure enough, Mom called right after: “Raven, when are you coming home?“[]
“I’m not.“]
I hung up and kept writing.[]
New story called “Back Home“-about a girl looking for where she belongs.[]
Except at the end, she realizes home isn’t a place, it’s a feeling.]
Wherever there’s love, that’s home.
In March, my new story blew up online. Editor said several production companies were fighting over the film rights.[]
This time I didn’t say no. Sold to the highest bidder.[]
Eight–figure deal–enough for Ms. Johnson and me to live comfortably forever.]]
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M
Chapter 13
I was planning to bring Ms. Johnson to the city, find her a nice assisted living place where she could enjoy her golden years.[]
Mason was still stalking me around campus.[]
It was getting annoying, so I agreed to have dinner with him.[]
We went to a place near school.]
After ordering, he asked: “How are you… doing?“]
“Amazing when you’re not around.“[]
He gave a bitter laugh: “Still brutally honest.“[]
“Gotta be direct with you people.“[]
We ate in silence for a while.[]
“Raven,” he suddenly spoke up, “I’ve been thinking a lot these past few months.”
I stayed quiet, waiting.
“You were right. We never made you feel at home.“]
“From day one when you came back, we focused on the wrong thing.“[]
“What thing?”
“We were so busy protecting Savannah’s feelings, forgot YOU were the one who needed love.”
“You suffered for eighteen years, then came home and still had to deal with our attitudes.”
I was surprised he actually figured this out.[]
“Sorry.” He meant it.[]
I sipped my water: “Sorry doesn’t turn back time.“]
He looked crushed.]]
“Mason,” I met his eyes, “you know what’s really messed up?“]
“What?”
“Took you guys six months to figure out Savannah was acting. While I knew from day one.“[]
I smiled.]
“You guys are way too naive.“]
After dinner, Mason offered to drive me back to campus.[]
On the way, he asked: “Are you really never coming back to the family?“]
“Nope.”
“Mom and Dad miss you a lot.”
“They miss having an obedient daughter, not me.”
“What you guys want is someone to fill Savannah’s spot.[]
What I want is a real family.]
We want different things, so we’re never gonna work out.“[]
P
Before I got out the car, he stopped me:[]
“Raven, no matter what you think, you’re my sister.”
er.“0
1.looked back: “Biologically, yeah.”
Chapter 13
“Not just biologically.” He was serious. “Like, actually my sister.“]
I smiled a little, didn’t say anything, just walked into campus.[]
In April, I got unexpected news–Ms. Johnson was sick.]
