Chapter 4

The Sterlings' abuse sliced Hayden open and left him bleeding from a thousand cuts, but he was used to it. He had grown accustomed to being framed, criticized, and shunned. More importantly, he was used to Morgan's pretenses. He had fallen victim to Morgan's schemes countless times in his past life. Hayden was unaffected as he snorted at the Sterlings' disparagement. Much to their surprise, he pointed at Morgan. "The Sterling family is too small for the both of us. So, if one of us must go, it should be the adopted son!" He gave Morgan a mocking look as if to say, "You wanted to leave, right? Go on, then." "W-What are you saying?" Morgan stammered, going still with surprise at Hayden's words. There was a lump in his throat. Previously, Hayden would have fallen to his knees, apologizing and begging to stay in the Sterling residence. But now, the tables had turned. The rest of the family were equally shocked. They couldn't believe what they had just heard. Where did Hayden get the nerve to say such bold things? "D-Do you think you're the head of the Sterling family?" Francis demanded through gritted teeth, his bloodshot eyes flashing with rage "Enough with that nonsense! Why should Morgan leave when he's done nothing wrong?" Lily interjected angrily, looping her arm through Morgan's as she glared viciously at Hayden. She didn't seem to care that Morgan was brushing his arm against her ample bosom and getting off on the feeling. Julia narrowed her eyes and looked down her nose at Hayden. She made her stance clear as she said, "We wanted you to stay and treated you like one of us, yet you chose to stab us in the back and even made up an entire story to frame Morgan for your crimes. "Morgan is innocent and naive, but that doesn't mean you can pick on him! I won't allow you to make him leave this family!" She grabbed Morgan's hand and clasped it tightly, her slender fingers wrapping around his palm. Her soft, gentle touch was a privilege that only he could experience. "No one can make you leave while I'm here, and I'd sooner die than have you cast out of the family home! Remember, your last name is Sterling. You will always be one of us," Charlotte said righteously, her tone firm with resolve. For a moment, everyone in the family made their stances clear. Morgan was moved to tears, and small sobs escaped him. However, he gave Hayden a pointed look as if to ask, "Why don't you try to get rid of me now?" Hayden chuckled humorlessly as his lips curled in disdain. He wasn't surprised that the Sterlings would speak up for Morgan; he had expected it right from the start. He only wanted to see if they would change their minds before he left for good. He had admittedly been holding out hope that things might change, but reality had proved him wrong. The Sterlings were the same heartless family as they had always been. Hayden would never have a place among them. "So, this is your choice, right? If Morgan won't leave, then I will. Not that it matters. I'll leave now and consider us even," Hayden declared plainly before turning to leave. "Don't you dare!" Francis thundered. "If you're keeping me, then you must know that Morgan has to go," Hayden warned, pointing at Morgan. "Bullshit! I never agreed to your nonsensical terms!" Francis growled. Hayden explained, "I've made myself clear. This house is too small for the both of us, so I'll leave now. Once I'm gone, we'll live our separate lives. "It's not as if we were ever close, so I'm sure you won't be too upset about me leaving the family." With that, he spun on his heels and headed to his room. No one stopped him from leaving, and the Sterlings merely exchanged looks with one another. They did not believe that Hayden would leave. They were certain that he was only throwing a tantrum, which was common for a young man his age, when impulses and angst won over reason. "Mom, Dad, Hayden won't really leave, will he? I feel bad for causing all this," Morgan said, pouting as if stewing in regret. "Don't feel bad. He can leave if he wants to. He'll crawl back after going a day or two without food," Francis said confidently. Everyone else nodded in agreement. Francis was right. Hayden's finances would be cut off once he left the family, and it was hard to live well when one was penniless. "Why did he go to his room? You don't think he's packing up and bringing his savings with him, do you?" Morgan asked. "He might be inclined to stay outside for longer if he has a lot of cash on him. "What if something were to happen to him while he's out there? What if he got robbed or worse? I'll never forgive myself for letting all this happen…" He turned to the Sterlings in panic. He sounded as if he was concerned for Hayden's safety, but he was deliberately implying that the latter had cash on him. He would never allow an outsider to take the Sterlings' money. Lily seethed. "Morgan has a point. Hayden has lived here long enough. Who knows if he has stolen money from right under our noses? "If he took a million dollars from us, then it would be enough money to last him a couple of years outside. I bet he's been planning to do this for ages, and leaving the family home is his final step!" Lily narrowed her eyes in thought. "We have been losing some of our stuff lately. Do you think he stole them and hid them in his room? Charlotte added anxiously, "I guess the punk has brought his kleptomaniac tendencies into our home too. A few pieces of my jewelry have gone missing. I bet he took them! "Those pieces of jewelry are worth more than a million dollars. If he has them, he could make enough of them to sustain himself for the rest of his life!" She wasn't worried that Hayden would never return to the Sterling residence, but that her jewelry had been stolen. Morgan sighed. "What do we do? If Hayden leaves, I won't see him for a long while!" He wiped his tears for good measure and kept his tone mournful. But there was no hiding the glee in his eyes. Everything had played out the way he wanted, and everyone had fallen for his schemes. He wouldn't let Hayden leave the Sterling residence so easily. It wasn't a place where he could just come and go without paying a price. Meanwhile, Hayden emerged from his room after packing his suitcase. As the door swung open with a creak, he paused. The Sterlings stood before him, and he dared to wonder if they were here to stop him. That would be a great surprise indeed. "Open your suitcase and backpack. I need to go through your stuff," Francis ordered. "Why?" Hayden's brows furrowed in displeasure. "Leave if you want, but don't you dare take my stuff with you!" Julia bit out arrogantly. Hayden snorted. "Oh, so that's why you're here." A bitter smile appeared on his face as he opened his suitcase, which was no better than a battered box. He had packed two shirts with him to change into and a pair of faded denim jeans. He then opened his backpack, which he had brought from his previous home, to reveal his school textbooks. Aside from those, he had brought nothing of value with him. "That's all the crap you've packed? What about the stuff you stole? Where's the jewelry?" Francis asked darkly. "Where did you hide the jewelry? Are you wearing it? Did you put it into your pockets?" Lily demanded as she rummaged through Hayden's suitcase and backpack and found nothing valuable. His suitcase and backpack were lightweight, and their contents were laid out in full view. "These are the things I brought with me when I moved out of the Caldwells' house," Hayden explained. "I've left everything else in my room, and I have no intention of taking them with me. "I certainly haven't seen the jewelry you speak of, much less taken them. If you insist on pinning the crime on me, I'll call the cops and have them investigate. I'd love a chance to clear my name!" With that, Hayden fished out his phone and impassively made the call.