Chapter 2

The next morning, I woke up with a pounding headache.

The freezing floodwaters from yesterday had given me a high fever. Every bone in my body felt like it had been crushed and put back together. It was excruciating.

Just as I struggled to sit up and pack my bags, the door pushed open.

Ethan walked in, wearing a sleek windbreaker, holding two pairs of sand goggles.

"Summer, get up and pack. We're going off-roading in the sand dunes today."

I leaned weakly against the headboard, my voice raspy. "I have a fever, Ethan. I can't go. I want to go home."

Ethan walked over and touched my forehead. His frown deepened.

"You do feel a bit warm. But Chloe has been looking forward to this off-road trip for months. She’s too scared to go alone. Just push through it. The SUV has air conditioning. It won't be that bad."

I looked at his dismissive face, a cold laugh bubbling in my chest.

"Ethan, I almost died in that flood yesterday. I am sick."

"Stop talking about dying all the time. Aren't you standing here perfectly fine?" His tone carried a hint of impatience. "Yesterday was my bad, I admit it. But like I said, Chloe’s situation was special. We finally got some time off. Can't you just be a little more mature and stop ruining the mood for everyone?"

"Mature?" I whispered.

So, when it came to choosing between my actual life and Chloe’s entertainment, choosing to survive made me "immature."

From outside, Chloe’s cheerful voice called out, "Ethan! Is Summer ready? The guide said the sandstorm will pick up if we wait any longer!"

Ethan shoved the goggles into my hands and practically dragged me out of bed.

"Alright, stop throwing a tantrum. I'll get you some ibuprofen after lunch."

The SUV sped over the rolling sand dunes.

Chloe sat in the passenger seat, squealing with excitement. Ethan kept one hand on the steering wheel, occasionally looking over to gently remind her to hold on tight.

Meanwhile, I was tossed around like a ragdoll in the bumpy backseat.

The window wasn't fully closed. Dust swirled in through the gap, making me cough violently. Every bump made my stomach churn and my head throb.

"Ethan, look at that dune! It's so high!" Chloe pointed ahead.

Ethan stepped on the gas. The car flew into the air and slammed heavily back down.

I couldn't hold it in anymore. I covered my mouth and dry-heaved.

Ethan glanced at me through the rearview mirror, his voice filled with annoyance. "Summer, if you really didn't want to come, you could have just stayed. There's no need to show your attitude in front of Chloe. She was traumatized yesterday, and she’s finally having some fun today."

I closed my eyes, too exhausted to even argue.

At noon, the car stopped in front of a roadside diner in the middle of the desert.

Chloe took the menu and ordered a table full of greasy, heavy diner food, including a plate of spicy buffalo wings dripping with hot sauce.

"Summer, their wings are famous. Have some," she said with a sweet smile, placing a spicy wing onto my plate.

Looking at the red hot sauce, my stomach clenched.

I had a high fever and a severe stomach ulcer. Ethan knew this. Back when we were happy, he never allowed a single drop of hot sauce on the table if I was around.

"I can't eat spicy food," I said, pushing the plate away. "Can I just get a plain oatmeal or some toast?"

Before Ethan could speak, Chloe lowered her head, looking incredibly hurt.

"I'm so sorry, Summer. I forgot your stomach is sensitive. But... this diner only serves these fast foods. They don't have oatmeal. If you really hate it, maybe Ethan can drive you to another place?"

The nearest town was thirty miles away.

Ethan’s face darkened completely. He slammed his fork onto the table.

"Summer, enough! You’ve been acting passive-aggressive since yesterday. Chloe was just trying to be nice, and you're throwing a fit? We're in the desert. Stop being so high-maintenance!"

I looked up, staring straight into his eyes.

"Ethan, I have a stomach ulcer and a fever. You're forcing me to eat spicy food. Do you want me to end up in the emergency room?"

"Don't exaggerate!" He stood up abruptly, grabbing Chloe's hand. "Since you're so miserable here, stay by yourself. Chloe, let's go eat some energy bars in the car. We don't want to ruin her appetite."

Chloe let him drag her out, turning back to look at me with a face full of innocent triumph.

"Ethan, is it really okay to leave Summer here alone...?"

"Don't worry about her. I’ve spoiled her too much. She needs to cool down and get a grip!"

With a loud slam of the car door, the SUV kicked up a cloud of dust and sped away.

I stared at the plate of greasy wings, and suddenly, I laughed.

I laughed until tears streamed down my face.

Since he had abandoned me again and again, I didn't need to treat him as my home anymore.