What Bloomed After Goodbye

"You can't pull that again. A family like the Gormans? Plenty of girls want in."

"You're lucky Caleb's patient enough to put up with you. Anyone else would've dumped you."

"We're doing this for you. Don't act ungrateful."

I tuned them out, stood up. "I'm tired. I'm going to bed."

Neither of them moved.

Dad frowned. "Debt collectors are all over our place. We go back, we're getting beaten. We'll stay here tonight."

Brandon stretched out on the couch like he owned it. "Anyway, Caleb's picking you up tomorrow. Once the debts are paid, we'll go home. One night won't kill us."

I didn't argue.

It was my last night here anyway.

I turned and went into the bedroom, closing the door behind me.

Not long after, my phone buzzed. A text from an unknown number:

[Your flight details have been sent to your phone. I'll be waiting at Parisse Airport.]

My fingers paused for a second.

Then I typed back one word:

[Okay.]

Late that night, I packed a small suitcase—just my ID, bank cards, and a few changes of clothes.

In the safe sat the blue diamond Caleb bought when he made his first real money.

Under the warm light, it sparkled.

Back then, he said he'd buy me diamonds forever. I'd been happy for a long time.

Now it just felt flashy. Empty.

I left it behind.

Outside, Dad and Brandon snored.

I opened the door quietly, shut it just as soft—like slipping out of chains.

The plane lifted, cut through the clouds.

The city shrank beneath me until it blurred out.

I closed my eyes.

When I opened them again, all I felt was calm.

Relief.

***

More than ten hours later, the plane landed in Parisse, Francia.

I turned on my phone and pulled up the apartment feed.

Clear as day.

Caleb stood in my living room in a sharp suit, face blank.

Holly stood right next to him.

On the screen, Dad and Brandon hovered—pouring tea, waiting on him, practically groveling.

Caleb had never been this polite to my dad before. He took the cup and gave a small nod. "Thanks, Robert."

That one "thanks" had Dad smiling ear to ear, wrinkles deepening.

Caleb didn't waste time. "Yesterday was on me and Holly. I brought her to apologize to Mira—and take her home."

Dad nodded fast. "I told you, couples fight and make up. No one stays mad forever. Don't worry—I already scolded her. She won't pull something like that again."

He rubbed his hands, voice turning eager. "About what I mentioned... when do you think that'll go through? Not rushing—just... Brandon and I need to get home—"

Caleb cut him off, impatient. "Let me take Mira back first."

Dad let out an awkward laugh, turned to Brandon.

"What are you waiting for? Go get your sister."

Brandon nodded and rushed to my room, pushing the door open.

A few seconds later, he came running back, face pale, panic in his voice.

"Dad, this is bad! Mira—she's not in her room. She's gone!"