Part 1This summer echoes

My stepbrother despised me.

But I always clung to him.

He’d pay me two thousand dollars to not walk home with him after school, and twenty thousand to transfer out of his class.

But every single time, I’d find a way back to him.

After senior year finals, he wired a huge sum of money to my account, his voice icy.

“That’s five million. Go study abroad. Just don’t ever show up at my house again.”

My eyes burned. I dropped my gaze and whispered, “Okay.”

Yes!

He finally fell for it.

I almost walked in on Mason kissing a poor student.

In the dimly lit private room.

He leaned back on the corner couch, looking worn out, his eyes closed. His sculpted features were obscured by shadows.

A girl in a white dress stood beside him, hands braced on either side of his head, leaning in tentatively, inching closer.

I suddenly pushed the door open. She jumped back, startled, and spun around to face me.

Her eyes were wide and wet, like a startled deer.

“Chloe, I…”

I walked past her, straight to Mason.

“The driver’s here to pick me up. My dad said I should bring you home too.”

He grabbed his jacket from beside him, throwing it on as he followed me out.

It was late, and the corridor was mostly empty.

He closed the door behind him but didn’t leave. He just leaned against it, casually.

“She almost kissed me.”

“…”

I kept quiet.

A hint of irritation flared in his voice.

“She’s really shy. It took her a lot of courage to even do that.”

I unlocked my phone, showing him the time and my stepfather’s message. I explained softly.

“My dad really did tell me to pick you up on my way.”

He glanced at it, giving a dismissive grunt.

“Oh.”

“I’m an adult now. I’ve finished finals. He can’t control me anymore. Your tattling won’t work.”

The flickering club lights shifted, illuminating his face.

His cheeks were flushed.

He was drunk.

I clutched my sleeve, my voice barely audible.

“But…”

He cut me off abruptly.

“Go home by yourself.”

“And—”

His fingers tapped a few times on his phone.

“Here’s five million. Go study abroad. Don’t ever appear at my house again.”

“Let’s just never see each other again.”

“Chloe, I really hate you.”

He never wanted to see me again.

My eyes instantly burned. I dropped my gaze, biting back a choked sob.

“Okay.”

Mason turned and walked back into the private room, slamming the door shut with a bang.

I checked the numbers on my mobile banking app.

I couldn’t hold it in anymore. I crouched down, clamped a hand over my mouth, and let out silent, joyful giggles.

Yes!

He finally fell for it.