---- Chapter 3 My legs finally gave out, so I hailed a cab home. However, when I tried to unlock the front door, I realized the passcode had been changed. I keyed in Nicholas' birthday-nothing. So, I tried Madison's, but it was still wrong. Frustrated and exhausted, I fought off my drowsiness and called Nicholas, who took a long time to answer. "What's the passcode for the front door?" Nicholas replied flatly, You can't go in right now. Brandon and I prepared a surprise for Maddy-we've completely redecorated the entire house inside and out." I froze, my eyes widening in disbelief. I immediately thought about Mom's journal, worried if they had thrown it out during the cleanup. Panicked, I quickly said, "I couldn't care less about you redecorating the house, but can you at least let me in to pack my own things?" ---- Nicholas couldn't help but question me. "Why do you need to pack anything? There's still a place for you in this house. Just wait at the door until we get back; we'll open it then." I wanted to ask more questions, but he immediately hung up. The exhaustion I'd felt was gone now, and I had no choice but to crouch by the door and wait anxiously. Mom was a researcher and barely home. We never even took a single photo together. However, before her last assignment, she left behind a journal filled with stories from her youth, her hopes and dreams, and her expectations for me and Brandon. Unable to resist my curiosity, I read it like a storybook. Then, I'd carefully put it back in its place, waiting for Mom to come home and add more entries. Unfortunately, she never did. Mom was kidnapped, and Dad, being a police officer, went to rescue her. Yet, by the time they realized the criminals had deliberately lured people there, it was ---- too late, and they both perished in the explosion. The police were worried that the criminals might target Brandon and me, so they made us move overnight-the only thing I could take with me was that journal. It was the only proof I had left of the life I'd shared with my parents. At 3:30 am, I finally saw Brandon's car appear, and I immediately stood up. After Nicholas got out of the car, he carefully carried the sleeping Madison from the passenger seat. I staggered to my feet, leaning against the door as I watched Brandon's every move intently. The moment he opened the door, I tried to rush inside, but he blocked me. He said, "Let Maddy go in first." Nicholas slowly crouched down, gently shaking her awake. "Maddy, we're home. Time to wake up." Ihad never seen Nicholas acting this way before. After a long while, Madison finally opened her eyes