After I Was Gone

My words had barely formed when Bobby cut me off. "That's enough. I don't want to hear any of your excuses. Apologize to Audrey. Now."

My fingernails dug deep into my palms, the sharp sting of pain barely registering as blood stained the medals red.

"I didn't do anything wrong. I just wanted to take Mom and Dad's medals with me on this mission. It was Audrey who tried to take them from me."

Bobby's eyes flicked to the drops of blood hitting the floor, his brows tightening. For a moment, I thought he might finally be on my side.

But then Audrey spoke.

"Bobby, aren't we going to Cranburn? I just thought… since that's where Mom and Dad fell in love, I wanted to bring the medals to witness it too."

Her voice was soft, her words carefully chosen. And just like that, whatever flicker of doubt Bobby had was gone.

"Bella, I don't think Audrey's wrong here. Today marks thirty years since Mom and Dad got together. Let her have the medals."

I said nothing. The medals remained tight in my grasp. I knew the moment I let them go, I'd never see them again.

Marie, who had seen enough, stepped forward to speak on my behalf.

"Bobby, Bella's going far away on this assignment. Master Ross used to say that medals would protect Bella. Let her take them."

Her words didn't soothe anything. If anything, they poured oil onto the fire.

"Bella, just admit you're petty if you are. Don't hide behind this 'dangerous mission' excuse. You're a doctor. What kind of danger could you possibly face?"

He stormed over, prying my fingers open one by one, uncaring of the blood that flowed freely from the cuts on my palm.

"If you're packing your things, then do it properly. Get out of this house. Now. How did our family end up with a daughter as narrow-minded as you?"

The blood smeared across my suitcase as I dragged it out. I didn't look back. I didn't respond. I had no words left.

'Bobby, I've given up on your love. Let Audrey take my place. Let her walk beside you for the rest of your life,' I thought bitterly.

Just as I reached the front door, Adam ran up from his car, panting.

"Bella, what happened to you?"

Marie quickly filled him in, and the anger on his face was instant.

"That damn Audrey—what right does she have to carry Mr. Ross's medal?"

He handed me a folder. Just as I suspected, everything was in there.

I had barely closed the file when Adam grabbed my wrist, ready to storm back in.

"Bobby, do you even realize that Audrey is the last person who deserves to be in this family? All these years, you've been feeding a wolf, and now you're turning on your own sister!"

Bobby's fury exploded. Without hesitation, he raised his hand to strike Adam.

"Don't!" I rushed forward and took the hit in Adam's place.

My face stung, swelling instantly. The outline of five fingers was stark against my skin.

"Bella, are you okay?"

Bobby stood frozen. I gave Adam a small shake of the head, hinting to him not to say anything.

"Take me away," I said softly.

From behind Bobby, Audrey peeked out, holding the medals high like a trophy, basking in her victory.

I didn't get the medals.

I didn't win.

All I could do was run.

'Mom. Dad. Your little girl has no one left to protect her,' I thought miserably.

Bobby stood at the door, watching silently as I loaded my suitcase into the car.

His lips moved, forming words I couldn't quite hear.

"Bella, are you really doing this again? Running away every time something doesn't go your way? If you leave now, don't expect me to forgive you next time."

'But Bobby, there won't be a next time.'