Five Years of Fiction — The Four Day Countdown

raised her glass, happiness plain on her face. Tonight, we should celebrate. Elena is about to Mom, this wine tastes a little harsh. Maybe it wasn't decanted long enough. Really? I asked the butler to open it early. I'll get another one. I was already standing with the bottle in my hand.

The second the kitchen door closed, I lowered my voice. Mom, please don't tell Luca about me leaving yet. Why? He's always cared about you the most. If you're leaving, he should know. I'm afraid he'll worry. I'm also afraid he won't agree. I'll tell him after I get to

All right. I'll keep it from him. But when you get there, message me every day. I barely ate that night. After returning to my room, I dragged my suitcase out from the back of the walk-in closet and hid my important documents, bank cards, and admission papers in the At midnight, just as the antique clock finished striking twelve, the balcony door opened from the I wasn't asleep, but I kept my eyes closed and pretended not to know.

It's my period. Fine. I won't touch you tonight. Sleep. He said it as if that was the greatest mercy in the world, but I couldn't sleep at all. At 12, I came to the estate.

At 14, I called him brother. At 18, he found my diary and kissed me for the first time. Now, the dream had to end. I picked up my phone and looked at the countdown.

Four days. Slowly, I moved his hand away from my waist.