The Winner Takes it all

CHAPTER 9

Unraveled threads

“I heard midterm exams are coming up. Make sure you study well,” my dad said sternly as we sat at the dinner table.

My mom nodded quietly in agreement, her usual response to my dad’s advice. I forced a small smile and continued eating, even though I had no appetite.

“Oh, by the way, dear, I heard Everett’s back. Is that true?” my mom asked in her sweet voice—the one that masked something much sharper beneath her angelic tone and gentle appearance.

“Yes, Mom,” I replied, my voice cold and clipped.

My dad raised an eyebrow, glancing between us. “The youngest son of the Cromwell family?” he asked, making sure.

“Yes, darling,” my mom confirmed with a smile. “I heard it from Mara when we were at the spa the other day. You know how close Mara and I are with Helena—Everett's mother,” she chuckled, slicing her steak delicately.

I kept quiet, observing the exchange without much interest. I knew where this conversation would lead, and I had no desire to be part of it.

“Right,” my dad said with his usual poker face, taking another bite of his steak. “Now that he’s back, don’t let him outshine you. It would be embarrassing if you fall behind, especially since you’re at the top right now. Make sure you ace those exams, Calliope. Don’t disappoint me.” His gaze locked on mine, the warning clear.

I met his eyes and gave a small nod, the same neutral expression he wore mirrored on my face. The pressure was familiar by now. I was used to it.

“Oh, I should visit Helena soon,” my mom said, chuckling mischievously. “Maybe we’ll have tea together.”

I glanced at my dad again, noticing how his hard demeanor softened whenever my mom spoke. Despite how he acted like a villain in my world, it was clear he still had a soft spot for her. I envied their love, though it was something I had never experienced myself—not from them, at least.

They never made me feel like I was truly loved. I had always felt more like a tool, a means to an end, rather than their daughter. Even though my mom and I weren’t close, the distance between us felt like more than just emotional detachment. It hinted at something deeper, something off. But I kept those thoughts to myself. I didn’t want to stir up trouble.

With a sigh, I stood up from the table, leaving them to continue their conversation. My dad barely acknowledged me, while my mom rambled on about her upcoming visit to Everett’s mother.

I couldn’t help but wonder how Everett’s family was. Were they pressuring him in the same way? Did they demand perfection as relentlessly as mine did? Yesterday, I had won an award, but my parents hadn’t even acknowledged it.

I groaned inwardly at the thought, closing my eyes in frustration. When would they ever be proud of me? It felt like they treated me more like a machine than a human being. I couldn’t even remember the last time I felt any genuine emotion from them. It was draining, but somehow, I had survived it all these years.

I remembered how disappointed my dad was whenever I ranked second or third in school. He’d always compare me to the students who ranked above me—Everett among them. I was just a child then, listening to his constant rants and complaints about my performance, and it built something in me. I had never known a normal childhood.

Now, even if I wanted to cry, I didn’t know how. I felt nothing.

I glanced down at my phone as a notification popped up. It was a message from Everett.

I rolled my eyes. Speaking of the devil.

Everett Clyde: Can I call you?

I furrowed my brow. What the...?

Before I could reply, my phone rang, startling me. Panicking, I accidentally answered the call.

“Damn it,” I muttered under my breath, shutting my eyes in frustration.

“You curse?” Everett’s voice came through, amused.

“No... I mean, never mind,” I sighed, feeling a little embarrassed.

I heard him chuckle on the other end. “Why’d you call?” I asked, trying to regain my composure.

“I just wanted to see if you have any plans for the upcoming exam,” he replied casually.

The mention of the exam made my stomach churn. It was the last thing I wanted to talk about.

“I don’t know,” I said flatly.

He smirked. I could hear it in his voice. “If you want, we could study together at the library again.”

I blinked in surprise. I hadn’t expected that.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” I said, trying to sound indifferent, though something inside me wasn’t entirely against it.

“Why not? We studied together last time, and it worked out, didn’t it? Seems like a good enough reason to do it again,” he said, a hint of something unspoken in his tone.

As much as I wanted to reject his offer, it wasn’t a terrible idea. The thought of us studying together actually brought the faintest hint of a smile to my lips.

“What do you think?” he pressed.

I cleared my throat, snapping out of my thoughts. “I usually study with Trina,” I lied. Trina and I never studied together; she was more of a lone wolf when it came to academics.

“Then bring Trina along,” he suggested smoothly.

The mental image of Trina sitting with us made me cringe.

“I’ll think about it,” I said flatly.

He let out a mock cough. “Alright, but think quickly. The exam is next week, after all.”

I groaned, pressing my palm to my forehead. “I don’t need the reminder. Can we end this call?” I glanced at the clock. It was already 10:00 p.m.

“I just want to talk a little longer,” he said, sounding unexpectedly serious.

“I need to rest,” I replied, though I had no intention of doing so. I was planning to start studying.

“Okay,” he said softly.

I stared at my phone, waiting for him to end the call, but 20 seconds passed in silence before he spoke again.

“You end it,” he demanded, his voice quiet but firm.

Confused, I simply tapped the end button without saying a word.

Shrugging off the odd conversation, I pushed it from my mind and focused on studying, determined not to dwell on it any longer.