Chapter 3

By the time we reached the BBQ restaurant, Davis was already complaining about how hungry he was.

Mira ordered the smoked ribs she'd been talking about all morning. Corbin checked with our server about his peanut allergy, then ordered a burger without the house sauce.

For once, I didn't have to remind him twice.

Lunch was almost over when the server brought the check.

"Together or separate?" she asked.

"Together," Davis answered, pointing at me. "She'll get it."

I didn't reach for my wallet.

The server hesitated, holding the check between us.

"Actually, separate checks would be great," I said.

Davis stared at me. "Seriously? We always just put it on your card and Venmo you later."

Except later usually meant never.

Concert tickets, weekend rentals, birthday dinners, even the deposit for our spring break trip. I'd covered so many expenses over the years that I'd stopped keeping track.

Or rather, I'd been afraid to.

"I think everyone can pay for their own lunch."

Davis leaned back. "It's forty bucks, Brenna. What's the big deal?"

Mira quickly reached for her purse. "I'll pay. I said this was my treat anyway."

Corbin stopped her. "You don't need to. You're still waiting on your scholarship money."

He handed the server his card, then turned toward me.

"Happy now?"

I looked down at my untouched water.

Apparently, asking four adults to pay for their own meals was enough to ruin everyone's afternoon.

On the drive back, Corbin barely spoke to me. Mira sat beside him, occasionally reminding him that I was probably just stressed about graduation.

"Everyone's stressed," he finally said, glancing at me in the rearview mirror. "But somehow Brenna always makes everything complicated. Every trip needs a spreadsheet. Every expense needs to be tracked."

Seth gave a quiet laugh. "That's why Mira's easier to hang out with. She actually knows how to relax."

Mira lowered her eyes. "I'm not nearly as organized as Brenna."

"You don't have to be," Corbin said. "Just enjoy yourself."

I turned toward the window.

On my twentieth birthday, Corbin had given me a ring and promised that one day we'd get married. He'd told me I wouldn't always have to be the responsible one because he'd take care of me.

Two years later, I was still the one remembering our anniversaries, arranging dinners, and checking in on his parents.

Mira only had to smile.

When we pulled into the Whitakers' driveway, I noticed balloons tied to the front porch.

"What's going on?" I asked.

Corbin looked surprised. "Mom's throwing a little graduation party. Didn't I tell you?"

He hadn't.

Inside, the dining room was decorated with blue and silver streamers. A large cake sat in the center of the table, surrounded by framed photos from our childhood.

Lenora Whitaker hurried out of the kitchen.

"There you are! I've been waiting for you four!" Then she noticed me. "Oh, Brenna. I didn't realize you were coming."

I looked past her at the cake.

Four names were written across the frosting.

Corbin. Davis. Seth. Mira.

Mine wasn't there.

Lenora followed my gaze and gave an awkward little laugh. "Well, nobody could tell me where you'd decided to go after graduation, sweetheart. I didn't want to assume."

"Of course," I said.

She immediately turned to Mira, taking both her hands. "Just think! All four of you starting your new lives in New York together. Mira, you must be so excited."

Mira smiled shyly. "I still can't believe it's happening."

"Well, you won't have to worry about a thing. Corbin will make sure you're taken care of."

Lenora led her toward the living room, where she opened a small velvet jewelry box.

Inside was a sapphire pendant on a delicate gold chain.

My breath caught.

I'd seen that necklace countless times growing up. It had belonged to Corbin's grandmother, and Lenora used to say she'd give it to me when Corbin and I got married.

She'd even let me try it on once.

Now she fastened it around Mira's neck.

"A little something for your new beginning," Lenora said warmly.

Mira touched the pendant. "Mrs. Whitaker, I can't accept this. It's too much."

"Nonsense. You're practically family." Her eyes flicked toward me. "Brenna won't mind. She's never been the jealous type."

Everyone looked at me.

Corbin stood beside his mother, watching Mira admire the necklace.

Not once did he object.

I touched the ring on my finger.

For years, I'd imagined wearing that sapphire on my wedding day.

Now I wondered why I'd ever believed the promise meant anything.

"Of course I don't mind," I said.

Lenora smiled with relief. "That's our Brenna. Always so understanding."

I looked at the cake again.

My phone vibrated in my pocket.

I glanced at the screen.

PROJECT AEGIS — URGENT SCHEDULE UPDATE

Due to an unexpected change in the program schedule, your reporting date has been moved forward. You must complete your in-person check-in by 5:00 p.m. tomorrow.

Tomorrow.

I'd thought I had six more days.

Now I had less than twenty-four hours.

I slipped my phone back into my pocket and looked around the room one last time.

That was fine.

Twenty-four hours was more than enough time to leave a life I no longer wanted.