Chapter 4
Jaxon gripped the disownment letter in one hand, the bill in the other.
Mom snatched the bill away.
After reading just a few lines, she broke down crying and threw it aside.
Dad quickly picked it up. The more he read, the more his hands shook.
Every line recorded what I’d cost the Mitchell family on which day.
Each amount was precise to the cent.
The final total read in large numbers-
SEVEN THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED SIXTY–TWO DOLLARS AND FORTY–ONE CENTS.
For Rayna, seven thousand wouldn’t cover one meal.
But it had supported me for five whole years.
“This can’t be possible… this CANT be possible…”
Mom cried until her eyes were swollen red.
Jaxon also trembled as he read the disownment letter, reading each word aloud:
“From this day forward… no connection to the Mitchell family whatsoever…”
“How DARE she say that!”
Only Rayna seemed panicked by the scene.
She steadied her breathing:
“Um… Dad, Mom, Jaxon, don’t freak out.”
“How could Harper leave all this stuff behind right before leaving? Maybe she WANTED you to see it–like she’s putting on a show?”
“Five years and only seven thousand dollars? Come on, that’s obviously fake accounting for drama.”
“Uh, can I say something?” The accountant raised his hand tentatively.
Seeing Dad’s frown allowing him to speak, he continued:
“The young miss asked me to pull this data herself. All the money you’ve given her over the years went through company accounts–it really IS just this much…”
Jaxon nearly lost his footing:
10:14
My Family Left Me for Dead Now My Vengeful Hushand le Their cro
Chapter 4
“You’re saying… my sister spent only seven thousand bucks in five years?”
The accountant pressed his lips together and stayed silent.
Mom collapsed crying into Dad’s arms.
Jaxon braced himself against the desk to stay upright.
But that movement made the old desk shake, and a drawer fell out.
The yellowed diary’s lock broke on impact.
He frantically picked it up.
Page after page of entries unfolded
April 16, 2014, Sunny
SPUES
I have a mom and dad now! They’re amazing people, and I have this super awesome big brother tool]
The little princess they raised is so sweet. I’m gonna be so happy!]
311
May 21, 2014, Cloudy
[Mom and Dad don’t seem to like me… Jaxon barely talks to me either.)
But my sister really DID fall by herself, why won’t anyone listen to me… The attic’s so dark, I’m scared and hungry. How much longer till they let me out…]
March 11, 2015, Cloudy
[Accepting that my family doesn’t love me isn’t that hard after all…]
July 1, 2018, Cloudy
My friend went to Harvard. He says breaking free from toxic family and being independent feels amazing. Should I apply 100…]
Actually, sometimes I still fantasize they might love me a little.]
July 1, 2019, Cloudy
So much has happened lately.]
I never expected Rayna to be messing around with so many guys. The smell in that room was really weird–I think there were drugs involved…]
101
My Famile Left Me for Dead Now My Venusbil they
Chapter 4
[But what does it matter? They think it was me anyway.)
I’m leaving. This family can stay like this forever)
Marper, you got this.)
After reading every page, Mom was sobbing uncontrollably.
“My daughter… my poor daughter… suffering so much and never telling Mommy…”
Dad and Jaxon could barely breathe.
They turned to stare at Rayna:
“When Harper first came back, you got hurt every other day. Were you really injured, or were you FRAMING your sister?”
“And that club room–what the hell REALLY happened!”
Kayna had never been treated like this before. She collapsed to the floor in terror:
“I don’t know… I don’t know why Harper would write stuff like that… Dad, Mom, you have to believe me!”
“Why would she conveniently leave a diary behind? What if Harper made it all up?”
“You’re saying Harper’s been planning today since 20147”
Jaxon’s single question left Rayna speechless.
“Since you won’t talk, then it’s the usual–solitary confinement.”
Dad turned away as the staff immediately understood, dragging Rayna toward the attic–the same place I’d gone hungry countless times.
The world tour was canceled,
Dad, Mom, and Jaxon frantically searched the entire city for me, but nobody knew where I’d gone.
They assumed I’d left for another city out of spite and mobilized their network to search neighboring states.
Still nothing.
Just when they were at their wit’s end, Rayna disappeared too.
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