Chapter 2: Birthday Wishes and Broken Ties

At Principal Carter’s request, I went to see my mom, Elaine, after all.

Upscale restaurant. Elaine and her current husband, Richard Montgomery, claimed to be celebrating my birthday.

“Richard, where’s Tyler?”

Richard checked his phone, frowning. “Supposed to be here at 11:30. The kid’s not answering his phone. Who knows where he’s gone off to.”

Elaine smiled, all gentle and caring. “Boys this age, it’s normal. Maybe something came up—let’s wait a bit.”

Annoyed, I just looked down at my phone.

Principal Carter had posted a new TikTok. I clicked in—another student exercise video, same casual angle as before, but now the tall guys in the back were much more coordinated.

The video, posted that morning, was already blowing up, with over half a million likes. The comments were still as enthusiastic as ever.

“Damn! The slacker pretty boy improved so fast. Did the principal really make the girl teach him? Where’s the hands-on teaching footage?!”

“I got a shot of her face! She’s gorgeous—if she’d gone to my high school, I’d have had a three-year crush for sure…”

“Check this out! If you haven’t seen it, you’re missing out. Girls, look at the details—when they turn left, he’s looking right, at her! I’m dying from shipping them!”

“Sorry I’m late, but here’s my contribution! Got this from a friend at Maple Heights High—turns out the ‘principal’ is actually a handsome uncle! Apparently super chill, except for a few principles. My mom says she’s ready to apply to be the cafeteria lady there, haha!”

“LOL, did no one notice how much the tall guys in the back improved? Group training? (PS: Caught a glimpse, they’re cute too—who doesn’t love a clean-cut high school boy!)”

“What kind of magical school is this? Is it too late to transfer?!”

I scrolled a bit more, then heard Elaine’s voice.

“Autumn, your Uncle Richard is talking to you.”

I put down my phone and looked up.

Richard’s eyes flashed with displeasure.

“I hear you go to Maple Heights High, good grades?”

I nodded coolly. “Not bad.”

Elaine smiled, voice full of pride. “She’s just being modest—Autumn’s always in the top three, wins all kinds of competitions…”

Even with the praise, I frowned.

Richard nodded, softening a bit. “My son, Tyler, doesn’t care about school, grades are terrible. When we move to the U.S., you’ll be in charge of tutoring him.”

Tyler, his son from a previous marriage, is a classic spoiled rich kid, hates school, in ninth grade.

My face darkened, and I looked at Elaine, demanding an explanation.

What’s this about moving to America?

Richard stood up, checked his watch. “Tyler probably won’t show up. I have business, so I’ll leave you two to catch up.”

After he left, I confronted Elaine coldly.

“What’s this about the States? Why did you really want to see me?”

She hurried to explain. “I wanted to celebrate your birthday, and to tell you that in two months, I’ll be moving to the U.S. with your uncle’s family. I want you to come with us.”

I sneered. “So I can be his personal tutor? You’re a better stepmom than a real mom.”

She looked hurt. “Autumn, how can you think that? I know I owe you, but if you come with me, I’ll make it up to you, okay?”

She pulled out a velvet box with a diamond necklace inside—beautiful and obviously expensive.

“Look, this is your uncle’s birthday present for you. If you come with us, you’ll have better opportunities, things your dad can’t provide. I’m doing this for your own good…”

“That’s enough!”

I could barely control my anger and disappointment.

“Don’t compare your cheap ‘motherly love’ to his.”

“Are you really thinking of me, or just using me as a bargaining chip to please the Montgomery family? You know the answer better than anyone.”

“If this is all you wanted to say, let me be clear—I’m not going to America with you.”

“And don’t contact me again. Principal Carter may be too soft to refuse you, but I’m not. I don’t care about you.”

I looked coldly at her stunned face and walked out without a backward glance.

—

When I was five, Elaine and Principal Carter had the biggest fight I can remember.

It started when Dad donated most of his salary to help a student with leukemia.

Teachers’ pay is low, and Elaine lost it, smashing everything at home.

“So what if that kid has leukemia? Is he your child? Even if he dies, that’s his fate—what’s it got to do with you?”

“Why are you such a bleeding heart? Can’t you see how hard my life is?”

Of course, that was just the spark. Elaine’s resentment had been simmering for a long time.

She was beautiful, well-educated, had plenty of rich suitors in college, but chose the gentle, handsome, not-so-rich Mr. Carter because he adored her.

She was happy—at first. Then she married, had me, and started to regret it.

Why was her husband just a low-paid teacher?

Why couldn’t she have luxury like other women?

Why did she have to be a mother and wife, stuck at home?

So she regretted it, and didn’t bother to hide it. She grew cold toward Dad, and even toward me.

But Mom, our family might not have had money, but we were happy. Dad loved you, did his best to give you everything.

I held her hand so many times, begging her not to leave us, but it was useless.

I remember chasing after her, Lucky barking like crazy.

She left. Richard picked her up in a luxury car. I chased after her with our dog, Lucky. Lucky bit Richard’s pants to buy me time. I grabbed her hand and begged one last time.

I still remember her face, full of disgust, as she shook me off.

Richard coldly kicked Lucky several feet away. I rushed to check on Lucky—he was old, and the injury was fatal.

When I looked back, Elaine and Richard were already in the car, laughing and talking about another child.

“Richard, we need to buy new clothes for Tyler when we get back.”

…

That night, Lucky died, and my mother became someone else’s mom.

—

Suddenly, my phone rang, pulling me from my thoughts.

It was a familiar voice.

“It’s me.”

Logan.

“How did you get my number?”

He sounded lazy, a little smug. “Dreamed it last night—you’re my future wife, right? Figured I’d try my luck.”

Me: “….”

I was in a bad mood, but talking might help.

“Why’d you call?”

“I know today’s your birthday.”

“Yeah, so?”

He cleared his throat, and for once, his voice was soft.

“Autumn Carter, happy birthday.”

The first sincere birthday wish I heard at eighteen.

I felt a little better.

“Thanks.”

“What are you doing now?”

I squatted by the road, watching people go by. “Sitting in a fancy restaurant, about to cut the cake.”

He snorted. “Yeah, right. Liar.”

“I just heard some kids singing ‘We Are the Champions’ as they passed. You’re obviously outside.”

Me: “….”

“Why are you out by yourself?”

I thought about my fight with Elaine and Dad’s complicated look when I left. He must know Elaine wants to take me to the States.

“Logan, what do you think of Principal Carter?”

He paused for a second.

“Feels familiar. First time I saw him, I wanted to call him Dad.”

Me: “….”

I blinked, surprised by the honesty.

He laughed, then answered seriously, “Gentle, selfless, a great teacher.”

I muttered, “He’s not that great. He’s just a pushover, always putting others first. Sometimes I get annoyed by it.”

I thought of how he raised me after Mom left, and smiled.

“But he really is a great dad.”

Logan just listened quietly.

After venting, I felt a lot better.

“Thanks, Logan. I enjoy talking with you.”

He laughed, back to his usual self.

“Saying thanks is boring—how about you show your gratitude with your body—”

I cut him off, suppressing a laugh.

“Just a reminder, my dad’s the principal. He cracks down on dating.”

—