It turned out that Wanda was not the only one who stabbed me with betrayal.
I raised my head and looked at the framed photo on the wall.
The photo on the wall was taken during last year’s spring festival.
In the picture, Wanda was not smiling even for the slightest. Also, the others wore smiles that felt forced, almost mechanical.
I was the only one seated in the center, grinning like a fool.
Now that I could see it clearly, it was painfully obvious how ironic and absurd the whole scene was.
Unable to hold back, I picked up my phone and dialed Lucas.
The call connected quickly, but I could not hear any traces of any guilt from Lucas at all. Instead, his voice brimmed with excitement. "Dad, you really should come to Estoria to visit!"
"The winter here is truly beautiful. Snow blankets everything as far as the eye can see like the world has been covered in silver."
"Mr. Collins took us to visit so many scenic spots and Xavion and Xavier are having the time of their lives."
"I can’t talk much longer, Dad. We’re about to go dog sledding and Mr. Collins is already calling for us."
Then came the beep of the disconnected line as bitterness welled up inside me.