They Replaced Me... Until the Government Wanted Me

Chapter 4

I turned around to find Ethan Parker standing behind me, his eyes like ice as they landed on the packed suitcase by my feet.

Lucas Parker leaned casually against the doorway, arms crossed, his expression just as cold.

Lily Thompson had followed them in. Her gaze flicked toward my luggage, and for a moment—just a moment—her excitement slipped through. She was still too young to fully hide it.

I thought about telling the truth.

But then I remembered Ethan's voice—flat, dismissive: "We don't need to hear about these things."

Just like that, the words died in my throat.

Fine. If I didn't explain, I could at least pretend—pretend they didn't know, not that they didn't care.

I shoved my hands deep into my coat pockets, my knuckles going white from the pressure.

"I'm just moving some things into another room," I said lightly. "We agreed Lily would take the master bedroom."

Ethan's eyes softened—barely—before they turned hard again.

"She's not staying here," he said coldly. "You pushed her down the stairs days ago. You really think we'd let you live under the same roof?"

I flinched.

Then answered instinctively, "Then I'll move back to campus."

Ethan's entire face darkened.

I hadn't meant it as a threat. I just didn't want to be a problem anymore. I was already leaving, after all.

Lily blinked up at me, putting on her best innocent face. "This is your room, Paige. I don't want to take it from you."

I kept my voice even. "Don't worry. Once I'm gone, I won't be coming back."

Lily's lips twitched ever so slightly, the corners lifting before she caught herself and quickly lowered her head, pretending to feel guilty.

Ethan's voice cracked through the tension. "Who do you think you're threatening?"

Lucas gave a lazy smirk. "Leave if you want. No one's asking you to stay."

I didn't answer.

Just kept packing.

After two decades in this house, there was too much to take. I only brought what mattered—essentials, and the few things my parents left behind. Two suitcases, one last look around.

Then I rolled them toward the door.

Ethan's voice followed, sharp and furious.

"If you walk out that door—don't bother coming back!"

I didn't pause.

I dragged my bags downstairs, my steps loud against the wood floor.

The second I stepped outside, the storm hit me full force.

And still—his voice chased after me:

"After all these years of drama, we'll finally have some peace."

"Don't come crawling back in three days!"

I had meant to grab an umbrella.

But my throat was too tight, and I just kept walking—straight into the rain.

It soaked me instantly, chilling me to the bone. I kept going, barely able to see past the downpour.

By the time I reached the front gate, my clothes clung to me, water dripping from my hair, my vision a blur of tears and rain.

Then Ethan's voice, one final stab—shouted through the storm:

"From now on, anyone who opens the door for her can leave too!"