Chapter 5 The Welcome Party That Wasn't

It was only after Kaia's life had been ruined that Samuel finally bothered to ask which high school she'd attended. How cruel the irony was. For ten grueling years, she had studied relentlessly, desperate to carve out a better fate for herself. Just as her efforts were finally beginning to pay off, they were crushed beneath the weight of power. With just one careless sentence, the Larsons had dismissed her, condemning her to a living hell without hesitation. Kaia could have had such a bright future. From a young age, she'd known she lacked the status and connections that others took for granted. The only thing she could count on was her own extraordinary dedication to her studies. Her dream had been to attend Crystalia University, earn a master's degree, and then pursue a Ph.D. She had wanted to become a professor, to stand at the podium and use her own strength to change the fates of those who, like her, had nothing but their will to succeed. But reality had slapped her hard across the face, leaving her reeling. Instead of becoming the person she'd fought so hard to be, she was now a convict, despised by society. Her record was permanently stained, a mark that would last for three generations. At the thought, Kaia clenched her fists so tightly that her nails dug deep into her palms, yet she barely registered the pain. "Valoria High School," Kaia said. Her voice was quiet, almost gentle. Yet her words crashed down like a landslide, crushing Benedict, Amethyst, and Samuel under their weight until they could barely breathe. Valoria High School was the city's most academically prestigious school, attended by the brightest students. It was a world apart from Solaris High School, where money could buy admission. At Valoria High, grades mattered more than wealth. Kaia had consistently ranked first in her school, even among the top students. That meant she wasn't just smart—she was unmatched. With her grades, Crystalia University was practically guaranteed. "No way. You're lying." Samuel's voice cracked with disbelief. "Valoria High School is in the suburbs, over 18 miles from home. Back then, you were riding that rusty bicycle…" The realization hit him mid-sentence, and his words trailed off. As Samuel's face drained of color, Kaia's lips curled into a sneer. "I'd rather ride my bike than go to school with Wendy because we were never in the same school. I never had breakfast with you because Valoria High started classes at 6:00 am. "I had to wake up at 4:00 am and bike for two hours just to make it on time. I never came home for lunch because the break wasn't long enough to bike back. I couldn't afford food, so I drank water to stave off hunger until evening. "By the time I got home, you'd already eaten. All that was left were scraps, and even then, you'd call me 'trash-born' for not eating fresh meals, for devouring leftovers like a starved stray…" "Kaia, I'm sorry." Tears streamed down Amethyst's face, her sobs raw with grief. "I had no idea how much you suffered. This is all my fault." "You have nothing to apologize for." Kaia stared at her tear-streaked face calmly. "You didn't raise me. So why would you care? "I've long grown used to it. A little more pain won't break me. Isn't that right, Mrs. Larson?" Amethyst's breath hitched, her sobs strangling in her throat. "Kaia, I'm begging you. You're stronger than Wendy. You've handled worse. You survived an orphanage. Prison would be nothing compared to what you've survived. Please, take the blame for Wendy." The memory, buried for five years, slammed into Amethyst with vicious clarity. She clutched her chest under the weight of it like she was about to crumble. Kaia watched her coldly, contempt simmering within her. There had been surveillance footage of the spot where Wendy pushed Lily down the stairs. But as soon as it happened, Amethyst erased the evidence that would have cleared Kaia's name. Because of that, Kaia had stood in court with no defense. "Enough!" Samuel snapped. "Cut the act. Fine, we failed you. I'll admit that. But do you honestly take no responsibility at all? You resented Wendy for having a better life and took it out on her to get back at us. "You're the one with the bitter heart, pushing people away. Yet, instead of reflecting, you blame us for everything." "Don't talk to Kaia like that, Samuel," Amethyst choked out between sobs. "Mom, you're still defending her. She's been using our guilt to get away with everything. Otherwise, she never would've pushed Lily down the stairs, left her in a vegetative state, and then framed Wendy for it. "We sent her to prison for five years, and now she's holding a grudge. That's why she's making a scene in front of everyone." A pang of guilt shot through Amethyst. She glanced at Kaia, only to meet her mocking smile. Her chest tightened, and she quickly averted her eyes, ashamed. "That's enough." Benedict cut in, his voice firm, his brow furrowed in disapproval. "Kaia, why didn't you tell us you were coming home? If we'd known, your mom and I would've gotten you a proper gown." Kaia stiffened. "You didn't know I was getting out today?" "Of course not. If we had, I'd have sent a car for you. How did you even get here, Kaia?" Kaia turned to Samuel, her gaze cold and cutting. "I came in Mr. Larson's car. He told me you'd arranged a welcome party for me." "A welcome party? I thought this was Ms. Wendy's birthday party." "Exactly. My invitation said it was for Ms. Wendy's birthday. Since when did it turn into a welcome party for her?" "Are we really supposed to celebrate an ex-convict coming home? What a joke." Murmurs rippled through the crowd. A flush of embarrassment spread across Samuel's face. He parted his lips to speak, but words failed him. Kaia scoffed to herself. Of course, she had been the joke all along. Benedict and Amethyst had only remembered Wendy's birthday. It hadn't even crossed their minds that today was also the day Kaia was released from prison. And the welcome party Samuel had mentioned? Just a gesture of pity tacked onto Wendy's birthday party. A hollow ache settled in Kaia's chest. What had she expected? She couldn't stomach another second of their empty pleasantries. She spun on her heel and walked away. Suddenly, a white figure rushed toward her. Kaia tried to sidestep, but her injured leg made it impossible for her to do so. The figure crashed into Kaia with a heavy thud, sending her sprawling. Pain shot through her elbow and leg. Her face contorted in pain, her already pale skin turning ghostly white. Gritting her teeth against the pain, Kaia looked up to see Benedict, Amethyst, and Samuel huddled around a young woman in an elaborate white feathered gown, fussing over her. "Wendy, are you alright? Did it hurt? Are you hurt anywhere?" Wendy's eyes welled with tears, her nose and the corners of her eyes reddening in exaggerated distress. "Mom, Dad, Sam, it hurts so much…" She sobbed. Instantly, the Larsons stiffened, checking her over in panic. "Where does it hurt, Wendy? Did Kaia hurt you when she bumped into you just now?" Without thinking, Samuel yelled at Kaia, "Are you blind?"