Chapter 119

Eighteen years later.

Astrid POV

“I am so sorry, Astrid,” said police officer Hana Montrey as she sat in front of me with concern in her eyes. “I really want to say something, but I have no words for your loss…”

I stared at the blank space in front of me because I had no words for my loss or my situation. If G d existed, then he was just being cruel to me. Wrapped in a blanket on this chilly October evening, I sat on the chair where mom used to sit, knitting a crochet shawl. This was her stress buster activity. Dad would come home and immediately shower kisses on her. But now-they are gone. Just like that. In a stup id accident.

“Their car skidded down a deep valley after the tire exploded,” the officer explained. “It was misfortunate… maybe you should… aunt and uncle… you’re seventeen…”

I blocked her words after that, because suddenly, I had this urge to cry. So a cry escaped my lips, Or was it a scream? And then I sobbed. Wailed.

State sent me a caretaker for the night to observe my condition. I was curled up in my bed over the photos of my mom and dad, under the crochet shawl she had knitted a month back. I didn’t know where my life would take me after this, but right now, all I wanted was to stay quiet and cry for as long as ! could.

The police called me to the hospital to identify their bodies and once again I broke down. Most of their bodies were charred because of the explosion that followed, after the car tumbled down.

The funeral took place two days later and by that time I had finished all my tears. Watching them go under the earth was distress i n g Y*h, God was cruel.

During the funeral repast that was mostly done with the help of my friend D**y and her parents, Hana said, “Your aunt and uncle have conteste d for your custody. I took the liberty of calling them and informing them of your situation.”

My aunt and uncle. Bree and Fred Lou. Fred was my mom’s younger brother. His home was in the quiet town of Cedar, situated beneath a vibrant green hill in Oregon. He had barely visited my mom and dad.

Hana exhaled softly, saying, “Fred requested I bring you to him.”

when I was only five?

have an option, love. If you choose not to go, you will be placed in

away my tears. “This house?” I asked, my voice

locked. No one can touch it. Even your stepbrother, Xander. Your parents

she had died, my stepbrother returned and demanded his share of the property, which was ridiculous. He was twenty-five

stay with your aunt and uncle. As soon

I wanted someone to be with me all

in front of me. “Hey, you must go to your aunt and uncle’s place. saw Xander lurking around. That b**d had come on the day of the funeral to ask for money. Mom was so p**d at him she gave him a hundred dol bill and asked him to

Chapter 119

be afraid of him!” I

aren’t afraid, but your stepbrother is a l**c. Just go away

my body shook. This was getting only worse and

streets.

could ask you to move into

“You’ve already done so much

me. “I expect

first time

suitcase and threw it in my Beetle. Daisy’s mother had sent me enough lunch to last for a week. “You better eat it, okay?” Daisy said as I strapped my seatbelt. Though I could’ve taken a flight to Portland, I decided to drive my Beetle, one that dad had bought for me last summer when I got my

my

and drive

to take a neat seven hours to reach Cedar town. Two hours later, I stopped at a gas station for a small break before resuming my journey. I hadn’t met my aunt and uncle in long,

open window and let the cool evening air rush over my skin. The smell of winter and oaks, aspens and cedars wafted into the car as the dark forest

“Hi!” I chirped.

Cedar Academy is amazing. I mean, their football team is first in state,”

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