Chapter 8

After finishing her work, Callie dragged her exhausted body back home. Spencer had gotten there before her and was sitting on the living room couch. When he saw her, he called out sharply, "Stop right there! Why are you working in places like that? Haven't I given you enough money?" Callie braced herself against the entryway while changing her shoes. She replied impassively, "I get bored at home. Just trying to experience the variety life has to offer." Spencer's anger subsided, but his voice was still cold. "Don't ever go to places like that again." Callie wouldn't need to anyway. She simply hummed in acknowledgment and went upstairs, keeping her head low. Over the next few days, Spencer was rarely home. But Talulah sent Callie photos every day, showing off her engagement ring, wedding dress, the venue, and bouquets—each one brimming with joy and the excitement of her upcoming wedding. Callie didn't respond. She was too busy packing. Three days before her departure, Callie bumped into Spencer at the staircase as he was about to leave the house. She called out to him. "Uncle Spencer, could you spare an hour to spend with me on my birthday in three days?" After all those years he'd taken care of her, Callie wanted to say a proper goodbye. However, to Spencer, her request felt like a provocation. Every birthday in recent years had ended with her confessing those unspeakable feelings to him. Without a second thought, he rejected her. "How many times have I told you, don't ask me for that!" Seeing his temper flare, Callie quickly explained, "This time, I won't do anything to upset you. I won't confess like I did in the past. I just want…" To say goodbye. They were standing a few feet apart. The last words she said were so soft that Spencer didn't catch them. When he heard her speak more rationally than usual, he relaxed and nodded. On her birthday, Callie waited from morning until night, but Spencer never showed up. When it was almost time for her flight, she finally picked up her phone and called him. After ten rings, it was Talulah's voice that answered. "Hello? Spencer's in the shower. He can't come to the phone right now." There was a teasing, suggestive tone in her voice that made Callie's heart skip a beat. She checked her watch, stubbornness creeping into her eyes. "How long will he be? I can wait until he's done." A mocking laugh echoed through the phone. "Callie, why are you doing this to yourself? Let me be frank. We're at a hotel right now. You're an adult, so you should know what happens after a shower, right? "Or do you want to watch the whole thing? He's your uncle, for god's sake. Liking him is bad enough, but now he's getting married, and you still won't move out? How can you be so shameless?" Talulah's cruel words hit Callie like a dagger straight to her heart. She bit her lip hard, forcing back the tears threatening to fall. After venting her disdain, Talulah hung up. Callie stared blankly at the screen, which now read "Call Ended." She didn't know how long she stood there before she finally pulled out some candles from a box. The cake's icing had softened slightly, and the "21" candles were crooked. After lighting them, she leaned over and silently made a wish. Callie's 21st birthday wish was no longer to be with Spencer forever. Instead, it was for him to live a long life, to be safe and sound, and from now on... for her to be gone from it. Once the candles were out, she quietly packed away everything that connected her to this house. In the place she had lived for over ten years, she left behind only three things. They were a bank card with a billion dollars on it as a repayment for all the years he had raised her, a wedding gift with a card wishing him a long and happy marriage, and a final farewell note. "Uncle Spencer, I've finally given up. I wish you happiness." Callie picked up her suitcase, took one last look at the house, then turned and walked out the door.