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Chapter 10
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2025-03-25 07:40:55Ethan sat at his desk, staring at a bird flying in circles around a tree outside.
The teacher’s voice droned on in the background, but he couldn’t focus.
His fingers tightened around his pen, his textbook open to the topic of the day.
He had barely slept last night.
Over the weekend he had gone to the hospital. He saw his mom. The doctor said she just needed rest, but Ethan had seen how pale she looked, and how weak her voice sounded compared to before.
But she seemed to be getting better.
She had said she was feeling better.
She even ate two plates of brown rice.
He didn’t tell her what he saw during the week, who his father had brought home. He didn’t know how to tell her or if he even should.
A nudge against his arm made him snap out of his thoughts.
Lily leaned in close, whispering, “You’re zoning out again.”
Ethan blinked, turning to face her. “Huh.”
Lily frowned, her eyes scanning his face. Ethan had been acting weird these past few days. Always staring off into space and he had been quieter than usual.
“Are you okay?” She asked softly, not wanting to attract the teacher’s attention.
He shook his head slightly, “I’m okay.”
Lily didn’t push. She nodded and turned her attention back to the class.
Ethan smiled bitterly, his gaze lingering on Lily.
She had been extra patient with him through everything. Always trying to make him happy, and staying with him even though he hadn’t been the best company.
The classroom door suddenly opened, and a staff member walked in. She whispered something to the teacher, who immediately turned to scan the students.
Her eyes landed on Ethan.
“Ethan Blackwell.”
“Lily Monroe.”
They both looked up.
“Please gather your things,” she said, her tone softer than usual, something was in her eyes–pity. “Someone is here to pick you up.”
Lily glanced at him. “What’s going on?”
Ethan shook his head. He didn’t know.
There were still three hours before the end of school.
They have never been pulled out of school early.
There was never any reason to.
Except– his mother–
A cold weight settled in his stomach.
He quickly grabbed his things, shoving his books into his bag. By the time he was done, Lily was too. As he stood, she suddenly grabbed his sleeve.
He turned to look at her, her expression was full of worry.
Together they followed the staff member out of the classroom, and down the hall.
The moment they stepped outside, they spotted Lily’s mother standing by her car, her eyes were red and filled with sorrow.
Ethan’s mind spun.
No.
No, no, no—
It couldn’t be. It couldn’t be.
Lily’s mom stepped forward, gently placing a hand on his head and stroking it.
“Ethan, sweetheart,” she said softly. “Let’s go home.”
He didn’t move.
He just stood there, tears welling in his eyes.
“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry.”
Everything stopped.
And then the tears started to roll down like waves.
Lily’s grip on his sleeve tightened.
“What happened to my mom?” He finally choked out.
“I’m sorry, Ethan.”
No.
His mom wasn’t gone.
She couldn’t be.
She was already getting better. He had seen her yesterday.
She had promised to take a walk with him this weekend.
Lily’s mom gently guided him forward and into the car.
*************************************************************************************************************
“We are gathered here to Celebrate the passing of our dearly beloved, Wendy Blackwell”
The preacher spoke but Ethan couldn’t hear a single word.
He stood in front of his mother’s grave, dressed in black, his hands clenched into fists.
The butler held an umbrella over his head as rain fell, water pooling around his shoes.
He didn’t feel anything.
Not the cold wind on his face. Not the pitying stares and murmurs.
Not even when they lowered the casket.
He was called up to shovel a few heaps of dirt, onto the casket before it was covered up completely.
The weight of the shovel felt heavier than it should have been. With every scoop of dirt, it felt like he was losing something.
She was gone.
He didn’t have a mom anymore.
Lily stood behind him, her finger slipped inside his pocket and she left something there.
“Chocolate,” she continued when he didn’t move. “You haven’t had breakfast.”
*************************************************************************************************************
A month later.
Ethan sat in the dining room, absent mindedly playing with the food on his plate.
The house was quiet.
Cold, and lonely.
Ethan hadn’t seen his father today, he was hardly home these days.
But even if he was, it wouldn’t matter.
During the past month, they had barely spoken.
Ethan didn’t want to talk to him.
Not after he had betrayed his mother.
Footsteps echoed from the hallway.
Ethan didn’t look up. He couldn’t be bothered.
“There’s someone I want you to meet.”
His father’s voice cut through the silence.
Ethan stiffened.
He looked up to see his father step aside to reveal a woman behind him.
A familiar woman.
“Are you sure he’s ready?” the woman said, she was holding the hand of a boy.
A boy who looked a lot like his father and seemed to be just a few years younger than him.
A boy that was obviously his father’s son.
Ethan’s chair fell to the ground as he abruptly stood up.
“You,” he said, his voice shaking with anger. “You bastard.”
His father sighed. “Ethan–”
“How could you do this to mom?”
His father took off his glasses, irritation flashing in his eyes. “You’re still young, there’s things you don’t understand.”
“I understand cheating is bad.”
His father’s gaze hardened.
“It’s all in the past now. This is Evelyn, your new mother, and your younger brother, Sam.”
New mom? His eyes met Evelyn’s which were watching him with a sickeningly sweet smile plastered on her face.
His mom was dead, she didn’t deserve the title.
Then he turned to look at the boy, clinging close to Evelyn.
He would never acknowledge him. His mother only gave birth to one child.
Him.
He let out a deep breath.
“She is not my mother,” he calmly said. “And he is not my brother.”
Evelyn’s smile faltered slightly, but she quickly recovered. She turned to his father, tugging at his sleeve with a pitiful look on her face.
“Sam is your biological younger brother!” His father shouted.
“He’s just shocked by the news. With time he’ll adjust.”
Adjust?
They expected him to adjust?
“This is not your place to speak.” Ethan snapped, turning to face Evelyn. “You are not welcome here.”
“Watch your tone young man.”
He glared at his father.
Then without another word stormed out of the room.
He didn’t want to be here.
He ran out of the house into the pouring rain.
*************************************************************************************************************
Ethan walked into the Monroe house.
“Miss Lily is in the living room,” a maid said as she closed the door.
Ethan nodded and continued on his way.
Lily lay on the floor, her legs flapping in the air as she drew the basket of fruit on the coffee table.
“Lily,” Ethan called softly as she stood behind her.
Lily turned to the sound of his voice, her pencil slipping from her hand and rolling across her drawing pad. She took in Ethan’s dripping appearance and red eyes.
“What happened to you?” She asked in concern.
“My dad. He brought another woman. He said she’s my new mom.”
Lily didn’t say anything.
She just enveloped him in a hug gently patting his back.
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Lily sprinted down the stairs, her school bag half open and her tie half knotted. She nearly tripped over her dog as Ivy ran to greet her, wagging her tail excitedly as she jumped.“Not now, Ivy, I’m late for school. We’ll play in the afternoon.” She said , crouching down to gave Ivy a quick rub on the head, she picked up her toy and threw it up the stairs, Ivy whined, but ran up after it. “Don’t forget your lunch!” her mom called from the dining table.“Yes, ma’am,” Lily yelled back, picking her phone from the table and zipping her bag.“And Ethan’s.” Lily groaned. “I know, Mom, I know.”She walked into the kitchen to pick up the already packed lunch boxes sitting on the counter.“What did you make?” she asked Mrs. Harper, who was cutting cookie dough.“Chicken Pitas,” She answered without looking up. “Hurry along now.” “Yay, you’re the best,” Lily said, rushing outside.When she got out, she spotted Ethan waiting by the gate, his hands in his pocket.“Your lunch.” She said as sh
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Lunch had never felt this long.Ethan sat, silently chewing his food as Lily and Miles continued talking opposite him. Every now and then, Lily would call his name, trying to include him in the conversation as she recounted stories from their childhood to Miles. He responded with one-word answers.He aggressively sipped his orange drink, but it was tasteless when it entered his mouth.His grip on the carton tightened slightly as Miles leaned in to brush something off Lily’s hair.The sound of the bell put their conversation to an end. Finally.They packed up their bags and headed to class.Ethan let out a breath of relief and fell into step behind Lily as they walked back to their class.But just as he entered the class someone bumped into him–Miles.Ethan’s hands clenched into fists beside him.Why was he here?He had assumed Miles was just another one of Lily’s art classmates— someone she’d only hang out with during class and sometimes during lunch. But now he was also here. In t
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Ethan and Lily sat on the floor playing scrabble. Sun streamed in through the window and wide balcony, casting a warm glow over the wooden floor.It was Saturday.After an entire week of Miles being almost everywhere Lily went, Ethan could finally spend time with Lily— just the two of them. No extra person. No interruptions.He leaned back against the bedpost, watching as Lily chewed her lips, deep in thought as her eyes drifted between her rack and the board, planning her next move. She looked really cute.Ethan smirked. “We should have played with a timer. In an official game, you’d have lost 10 points.” “I was strategizing my ultimate move.”Ethan raised a brow. Lily went to work and placed all seven tiles on the board. “Bingo.” She yelled with a treiumphant grin. “Fifty extra points for me.”She picked up the pen to record her score.His gaze drifted to the pen Lily was using.A sleek, pink fountain pen with a silver tip.Miles had given it to her.It was well in line with her t
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The morning was crisp as Ethan, Lily, Chloe, and Miles walked through the school gates together. They made their way through the morning crowd, rushing to class before the bell rang.Lily and Chloe were deep in conversation about a newly released edition of their favorite magazine, their voices animated as they flipped through the pages.“I still think the spring collection was better,” Chloe said, pointing at a page. “Red and green isn’t a summer color. It’s like going out as a Christmas tree. ”“Come on. It’s not that bad. If you pair it with yellow boots instead of brown, it would be better. ”Miles, walking beside them, glanced over at the magazine with mild interest. “Hmm, she really does look like a Christmas tree,” he mused.“You both don’t know style.” Lily pouted. “See,” Chloe smirked. “He gets it, truly the soul of an artist.”Ethan walked slightly behind them with his hands in his pockets, mostly listening, though he threw in an occasional remark whenever they asked his op
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The math teacher walked in after Ethan left, and class started, but Lily couldn’t focus.“Does anyone know how to solve the equation?” ” Ms. Peller asked, scanning the room.A minute passed. Then two.Lily’s gaze flickered towards Ethan’s empty seat.Finally, she made up her mind.She raised her hand. “Miss Monroe, would you like to try? ” Ms. Peller asked gently.“No, ma’am. I wanted to ask if I may I go to the bathroom?”The maths teacher let out a sigh as she waved a dismissive hand. “Be quick. Would anyone like to try?”Lily closed her notebook and slipped out of the class. But instead of heading to the restroom, she turned in the direction of the principal’s office, her pace increasing with each step.The hallway was quiet as she passed by. Classes were in full progress, leaving the hallways empty.Just as she turned the corner—Slap.The sharp sound echoed through the hallway.“...Do you feel better now?”Lily’s breath caught.It was Ethan’s voice.Lily’s heart pounded with wor
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The smell of flowers and green grass after the rain filled the air in Lily’s garden.SAT prep books lay open on on the table before them. Ethan, Lily, Chloe, and Miles sat on the wooden chairs around the table, answering the questions, the occasional rustle of paper breaking the silence.“Time up,” Ethan announced, tapping on the table. “Hand over your papers.”“Five more minutes?” Chloe asked hopefully.Ethan shot her a look.They passed their papers across the table, Ethan started to mark using the answer guide at the back. “Have you decided on the colleges you would be applying to?” Chloe asked, playing with a flower branch. “The Academy of Art University.” Lily looked up with a smile, a dreamy look in her eyes. “The campus is so beautiful.”Chloe grinned. “That’s why we’re best friends. We think alike.”“You also want to go there?” Miles asked, lifting his head up from his sketchpad.“Of course,” Chloe said. “Henry Asencio went there. He’s my idol.”“I know him,” Miles quipped
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Ethan’s fingers flew across the keyboard, his eyes focused on the computer scree as he wrote the last couple line of codes. Beside him his teammates worked frantically to write their programs before time went up.As the timer in the giant screen hit zero, a loud beep signaling the end of the competition echoed through the auditorium. Ethan’s hand stilled on the keyboard. He sighed in relief as he leaned back in his seat.“I didn’t finish writing the program,” one of his teammates groaned.“You did well,” their teacher said, patting the classmate’s shoulder. “You all did very well.”Ethan’s gaze shifted to the stage where the host stood, microphone in hand, to announce the final rankings.“After compiling the scores of all the teams…”Ethan’s fingers brushed over the blue hair tie on his wrist. He wondered how Lily was doing, She hadn’t replied to the message he had sent her this morning before the competition, which was unusual.As celebratory music began to play, the host’s voice ra
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The math teacher walked in after Ethan left, and class started, but Lily couldn’t focus.“Does anyone know how to solve the equation?” ” Ms. Peller asked, scanning the room.A minute passed. Then two.Lily’s gaze flickered towards Ethan’s empty seat.Finally, she made up her mind.She raised her hand. “Miss Monroe, would you like to try? ” Ms. Peller asked gently.“No, ma’am. I wanted to ask if I may I go to the bathroom?”The maths teacher let out a sigh as she waved a dismissive hand. “Be quick. Would anyone like to try?”Lily closed her notebook and slipped out of the class. But instead of heading to the restroom, she turned in the direction of the principal’s office, her pace increasing with each step.The hallway was quiet as she passed by. Classes were in full progress, leaving the hallways empty.Just as she turned the corner—Slap.The sharp sound echoed through the hallway.“...Do you feel better now?”Lily’s breath caught.It was Ethan’s voice.Lily’s heart pounded with wor
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Lily sprinted down the stairs, her school bag half open and her tie half knotted. She nearly tripped over her dog as Ivy ran to greet her, wagging her tail excitedly as she jumped.“Not now, Ivy, I’m late for school. We’ll play in the afternoon.” She said , crouching down to gave Ivy a quick rub on the head, she picked up her toy and threw it up the stairs, Ivy whined, but ran up after it. “Don’t forget your lunch!” her mom called from the dining table.“Yes, ma’am,” Lily yelled back, picking her phone from the table and zipping her bag.“And Ethan’s.” Lily groaned. “I know, Mom, I know.”She walked into the kitchen to pick up the already packed lunch boxes sitting on the counter.“What did you make?” she asked Mrs. Harper, who was cutting cookie dough.“Chicken Pitas,” She answered without looking up. “Hurry along now.” “Yay, you’re the best,” Lily said, rushing outside.When she got out, she spotted Ethan waiting by the gate, his hands in his pocket.“Your lunch.” She said as sh
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Ethan sat at his desk, staring at a bird flying in circles around a tree outside.The teacher’s voice droned on in the background, but he couldn’t focus.His fingers tightened around his pen, his textbook open to the topic of the day.He had barely slept last night.Over the weekend he had gone to the hospital. He saw his mom. The doctor said she just needed rest, but Ethan had seen how pale she looked, and how weak her voice sounded compared to before.But she seemed to be getting better.She had said she was feeling better.She even ate two plates of brown rice.He didn’t tell her what he saw during the week, who his father had brought home. He didn’t know how to tell her or if he even should.A nudge against his arm made him snap out of his thoughts.Lily leaned in close, whispering, “You’re zoning out again.”Ethan blinked, turning to face her. “Huh.”Lily frowned, her eyes scanning his face. Ethan had been acting weird these past few days. Always staring off into space and he had
