Chapter 10 – Ghosts of the Past

I stood outside the old library, my fingers curled into fists at my sides.

The building hadn’t changed. The paint was still chipped, the windows slightly dusty, and the familiar scent of old books lingered in the air.

This place used to be my escape.

Now, it felt like a graveyard for old memories.

I should leave.

I shouldn’t be here.

But I had to know why Brandon wanted to meet me.

With a deep breath, I pushed open the side door and made my way up the narrow staircase. My heartbeat quickened with every step.

When I finally reached the rooftop, I saw him.

Brandon stood by the railing, his back to me, staring at the city below. He looked almost the same—tall, broad shoulders, perfectly styled hair.

But there was something different.

His posture was tense, as if he was carrying a weight too heavy to bear.

I crossed my arms. "I’m here. What do you want?"

He turned slowly, his eyes meeting mine. A flicker of something unreadable crossed his face.

"Clarisse," he murmured. "You actually came."

I scoffed. "You’re the one who asked me to."

Silence stretched between us.

Brandon exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "There’s something you need to know. Something I should’ve told you a long time ago."

I narrowed my eyes. "Then say it."

His jaw clenched. "It’s about Leila."

At the mention of my stepsister’s name, my stomach twisted.

I wasn’t sure if I was ready to hear whatever he had to say.

But it was too late to turn back now.

The name Leila felt like a slap to the face.

I had spent months trying to erase her from my mind, trying to forget how she had taken everything from me—my home, my parents' love, and Brandon.

And now, here he was, bringing her up like an open wound.

I crossed my arms, keeping my voice steady. "What about her?"

Brandon hesitated, his hands gripping the cold metal railing. "She’s gone, Clarisse."

I blinked. "Gone?"

He nodded, his face dark with something I couldn’t quite place. "She disappeared two weeks ago. No contact. No traces. It’s like she vanished into thin air."

A cold shiver ran down my spine.

Leila wasn’t the type to just disappear. She thrived on attention, on drama. If she was missing, there had to be a reason.

But why was Brandon telling me this?

I forced a scoff. "And why should I care?"

Brandon’s jaw tightened. "Because before she vanished, she was looking for you."

My breath caught in my throat.

"She kept asking about where you were," he continued. "She said she had something important to tell you. Something about your family."

A heavy silence fell between us.

I didn’t know what was worse—the fact that Leila had been looking for me, or the fact that now, she was missing.

For years, she had been my greatest enemy, my tormentor. I had no reason to help her.

And yet, something about this didn’t sit right.

I took a shaky breath. "What exactly did she say?"

Brandon met my gaze, his expression unreadable.

"She said… you were never supposed to be part of their family."

I felt my breath hitch.

“What the hell does that mean?” I asked, my voice sharp.

Brandon shook his head. “I don’t know. She was acting strange the last time I saw her—paranoid, scared. She kept saying your family was hiding something, that she had proof.”

My heart pounded in my chest. Proof?

My parents had always treated me like an outsider, as if I never truly belonged. I had ignored it for years, convincing myself that maybe I just wasn’t enough for them. But now, hearing this…

It felt like confirmation of something I had been too afraid to face.

I swallowed hard. “And then she disappeared?”

Brandon nodded. “A few days later. She was supposed to meet me, but she never showed up. Her phone’s off, and no one knows where she is.”

A heavy silence settled between us.

I wanted to tell myself this had nothing to do with me, that whatever trouble Leila had gotten herself into was her problem.

But I knew better.

If she had been looking for me before she vanished…

Then whatever secret she had uncovered—it was connected to me.

Brandon sighed, stepping closer. “I know you have every reason to hate her, Clarisse. But if she was right, if your family is hiding something… you deserve to know the truth.”

My hands clenched at my sides.

I had spent so long running from my past, trying to rebuild myself from the ashes of what my family had done to me.

But maybe it was time to stop running.

Maybe it was time to face the truth.

Even if it destroyed everything I thought I knew.

I took a step back, my mind racing.

For years, I had endured the cruelty of my so-called family. The way they looked at me with disgust, the way they favored Leila, the way they made me feel like I was nothing.

And now Brandon was telling me that Leila—of all people—had been trying to uncover some secret about me?

I swallowed hard. “Why are you telling me this, Brandon? Why do you care?”

His jaw tensed. “Because I owe you that much.”

I scoffed. “You don’t owe me anything. You made your choice.”

His face darkened with guilt. “I know. And I regret it every damn day.”

I turned away, gripping the cold railing of the rooftop. I wanted to walk away from this conversation. I wanted to pretend that none of this mattered.

But it did.

If Leila had been looking for me before she disappeared, then I couldn’t ignore it.

I took a deep breath. “What do you want me to do?”

Brandon hesitated. “Talk to them. Your family. See if they slip up.”

I let out a dry laugh. “And you think they’ll just tell me the truth? They barely acknowledge my existence.”

He sighed. “Then find another way. Go through their things. Look for anything suspicious.”

I bit my lip. The idea of sneaking around in their house sent chills down my spine. If they caught me…

But I needed answers.

Brandon placed a hand on my shoulder. “Clarisse, whatever Leila found out—it was big enough to make her disappear. You have to be careful.”

I met his gaze, searching for any sign that he was lying. But all I saw was worry.

And fear.

I exhaled shakily. “Fine. I’ll find out the truth.”