Chapter 5: Chains Broken, Sky Open

After the exam, I waited for the results. As expected, I was first in the school and top ten in the state. I could choose any university I wanted.

The day the results came in, I danced around my tiny balcony, tears streaming down my face.

I’d done it—I’d finally broken free.

Madison’s score was a disaster—980, more than 150 points lower than usual. She’d be lucky to get into a mid-tier state school, which she’d never settle for.

It was satisfying.

I allowed myself a moment of petty satisfaction.

She’d reaped what she’d sown.

My grades gave my parents plenty of bragging rights, but they still refused to pay my tuition. “You’re an adult now. Summer’s long enough to earn your own tuition, and there are loans…” My dad rambled, but the message was clear—they wouldn’t pay.

I smiled, already prepared for this. I’d lined up a summer job at the local grocery store, stocking shelves and saving every penny.

I was used to fending for myself.

I agreed to find a job. I’d already decided to move on after college and gradually cut ties with my family.

The thought of leaving them behind filled me with relief.

I owed them nothing.

Madison repeated senior year. I heard she was so nervous at the next exam that she almost couldn’t hold her pen, and even fainted during the last test. Her parents took her to a psychologist.

I felt a pang of pity, but it was quickly replaced by resolve.

She’d made her choices—now she had to live with them.

In my junior year of college, Silver Heights High invited me back to give a speech. Afterward, I saw Madison at the school gate. She gave me a sinister smile. “You’re doing well now, giving speeches and basking in admiration. Proud of yourself?”

Her voice was bitter, but I refused to let her drag me down.

I stood tall, meeting her gaze head-on.

I stayed calm. “Madison, I don’t know why you’re so jealous of me. But you probably don’t know—I used to envy you.”

She looked shocked. “Envy me? How could you? You’re pretty, smart—”

“You always thought I had it easy, but you’re wrong. I worked just as hard as you—probably harder. I read more, did more practice tests, and spent more time studying. But I had it much tougher. My parents favored my brother. From elementary school, I had to do chores before I could study. I slept on the balcony, sweating in summer, freezing in winter, but still finished my homework. You were an only child, pampered by your parents, with your own room and a study. Both times you took the exam, your mom was there with you. I dreamed of having your life. Do you know how much I envied you?”

She stared at me, her mouth opening and closing like a fish. For the first time, I saw her as she really was—lost, confused, and deeply unhappy.

Madison turned pale, shaking her head. “No way. You’re the lucky one.”

“Stop staring at what others have. Look at what you have, and you’ll see how lucky you are.”

I walked away, leaving her to wrestle with her own demons.

She’d lost her mind, muttering, “I don’t believe you… You’re lying…”

I took a deep breath and walked away.

At the train station, I spotted Mason in the crowd, dragging a big bag, running for the waiting room. A few men caught up and grabbed him. “Trying to run off without paying your debts? Dream on! Come with us—you’re not going anywhere until you pay up!”

“I’m not paying! It’s loan shark money!” Mason shouted, but they dragged him away.

I watched from a distance, feeling nothing but relief.

His story was over—at least as far as I was concerned.

Even without me, he’d still ended up deep in debt. I’d heard rumors he’d gotten involved with a gangster’s girlfriend, gotten caught, and been lured into gambling, repeating the same mistakes as before.

But it had nothing to do with me anymore.

I thought, this time, our paths would never cross again.

On the train, watching my hometown fade away, I thought of my younger self, always wishing to grow up and leave behind the pain of my family and hometown, to embrace a bigger world. Now, through my own efforts, I’d made it. From now on, I was free, with the sky as my limit.

I pressed my forehead to the window, watching the fields and highways blur by.

I was finally moving forward—no more ghosts, no more chains.

The world was wide open, and for the first time in my life, I was ready to claim it.