Chapter 4: Calling Out the Carters

When the recording finished, the previously aggressive Matthew lost all momentum.

He stared at the device, lips pressed in a hard line, eyes shifting between me and his parents as if hoping for a rescue that wasn’t coming. But I wasn't about to let him off the hook. I looked him straight in the eye.

I'm already sixteen. Since Rachel was switched with me, her birthday should be within a few days of mine.

The words came out steadier than I felt, but I made sure my gaze didn’t flicker. "At sixteen, if you have income, you're already considered a capable person under the law."

Before I moved in, I confirmed with her again and again that it was her own wish.

"Only after she repeatedly said yes did I move in. I don't think I did anything wrong."

Matthew still tried to argue: "Can't you see Rachel wasn't really willing? She just—"

His voice faltered when he saw the looks his parents gave him—half warning, half defeat. "She just wanted to get attention from the family, or ease her own guilt, or maybe show off under the pressure of her real identity."

I cut him off. "But whatever the reason, people have to be responsible for what they say."

My words were measured, but my heart was pounding. I looked at Rachel. "Don't you agree, little sister?"

Her face was streaked with tears. She nodded, but so slightly you had to be looking for it. "And you, my brother." I turned back to Matthew.

I don't know if you've learned about me, but I've certainly learned about you.

You've always had stellar grades, and even though you haven't graduated, you're already involved in the Carter Group's core projects.

"So I don't believe you're too dense to see the whole picture and tell right from wrong."

I couldn't help glancing at Jason, who looked like his brain was about to overheat.

He stared at the voice recorder, mouth half-open, looking like he wished he could just disappear. Whether your accusation just now was because you care too much and lost your head, or because you deliberately sided with Rachel and made things hard for me, I think you owe me an apology.

"Because no matter how much you look down on me, the fact is you wrongly accused me of taking Rachel's room, with no proof."

My words made Matthew's face turn ugly.

His cheeks flushed, his jaw working, but he didn’t answer. "Emily, your brother just misunderstood, there's no need for him to apologize, right?" Mrs. Carter tried to smooth things over.

Her voice was tight, desperate, but I just looked quietly at Matthew.

The room was silent except for the hum of the air conditioning. Until Mr. Carter slammed the table in frustration.

The sound made everyone jump. Silverware rattled, water sloshed in the glasses. My fork clattered against my plate. For a second, I wanted to disappear into the wallpaper. "Enough! Just got home and already can't have peace? Do you have to make the house so tense?"

The Carter family immediately fell silent, and Jason shrank in fear.

He huddled in his chair, staring at the tablecloth like it held all the answers. I just closed my eyes and sighed, full of regret.

The disappointment ached in my chest. I put away the recorder, stood up, went upstairs, grabbed my suitcase, and walked out of the Carter family's two-story house.

The suitcase wheels thumped behind me on the driveway. The sky was turning violet, stars just barely visible above the carefully clipped hedges. I didn’t slam the door—I didn’t need to. My leaving was loud enough.