TAKE EVERYTHING ELSE

Emerson's pov

I woke to the soft light of early morning filtering through the curtains, the kind that made everything look deceptively peaceful. My body ached from the scramble of the previous day, muscles protesting as I stretched and rubbed my face. I let out a heavy sigh as I glanced over at the other bed on the far side of the room. Pristine. Not a wrinkle on the sheets.

Adam Pierce hadn't even slept here.

Not that I was complaining. It was likely for the best, anyway. I didn't like him. And if he wasn't here, I didn't have to endure his presence, with his holier than thou attitude, and his nose so high up in the air, I hoped he broke his neck.

I shoved a hand through my hair, exhaling a harsh breath before dragging myself out of bed. I did my morning routine— quick shower, dragging on a black hoodie and ripped jeans, grabbing my bag. The mirror reflected my tired eyes, the faint shadows beneath them a reminder that sleep was a luxury I also couldn't afford.

Despite everything that was going on in my life, school was the one thing I could manage. I wasn't just smart— I was the kind of student who got an A+ on a test and made people wonder if I had cheated. But I hadn't, I never did. I worked my butt off for it. Knowledge was power, and if I had nothing else, then at least I had that.

The auditorium was packed with students by the time I arrived. I climbed into my usual seat in the back, tuning out the chatter surrounding me. The professor's monotone voice droned on, but I soaked up every word, writing notes with the enthusiasm of someone who lived for this. School was a distraction, a way of keeping my mind off everything else crumbling around me. If I played my cards right, I'd have my degree, and nothing else was important.

Hours melted together in a haze of lectures, assignments, and fighting through the crowded campus. As I walked out of my last class of the day, I heard a familiar voice scream my name. "Emerson!"

I turned to see Sam waving at me. She was a third-year student, one of the few people I actually tolerated. She was quick-witted, had a relaxed attitude, and someone I tutored when she needed it.

"Hi, Sam," I said, heading in her direction. "How's it going?"

She melodramatically moaned. "Absolutely appalling. I need a study session at the soonest possible moment. My exam's a week away, and if I fail, my mother will disown me and send me off to law school. Can you imagine me, a barrister?"

I gave her a smirk. "Terrifying thought, they'd all go to jail."

"Exactly! So, do me a solid?"

"Sure thing. Same place?"

She nodded, appearing relived. "You're the best, Emerson.

I waved her off, watching her get engulfed in the crowd. I was about to head back to my dorm when something— or rather, someone, I suppose—caught my eye.

A familiar person lingered by the entrance of the campus. My heart skipped a beat until I remembered who it was. "Ivy?"

She turned around, a wide smile on her face. "Hey, big bro."

Before I knew it, I'd swept her into a bear hug, lifting her off the ground and spinning her around. She laughed, arms around my shoulders. "God, I missed you," I said, setting her down.

She smiled up at me. "Missed you too. It's been a while."

I stepped back, checking her out. She'd grown taller, but the most striking change was the green-dyed roots of her hair. “You went green?" I raised an eyebrow, as my chest warmed. I know Dad would have hated that.

She grinned. "Wanted to be like you, bro."

I exhaled a laugh. "Bad idea."

She gave me a smirk, one I had gone months without seeing. She shoved my shoulder lightly. “You don't look half bad, glad to see to see your head is still as big as ever.”

I laughed and shoved her back. She giggled but a moment later the smile bled off her face and her expression grew somber. "We need to talk."

My stomach sank. Ivy was never gloomy around me, when we could find time to see each other. "About what?"

"Mom."

My body tensed at the word. Had something happened to her? I may still hold a little resentment toward her but it dwindled every time Ivy told me about how she always got angry at Dad over me. I loved that woman more than life itself. "What about Mom?"

Ivy paused, glancing down before meeting my eyes. "She's sick, Emerson. Stage three cancer. She started chemo already.”

The world reeled for a second. Everything spun, the shapes and colour mixing around to create a moving image so jarring it gave me a headache. Cancer? I dragged my hand down my face, attempting to refocus my mind. My chest tightened as I fought to hear the words that followed such devastating news. "What?"

She bit her lip, talking more softly now, her voice choked up. "It's bad, but they caught it early enough that there's hope."

I swallowed hard, running a hand through my hair. "Why didn't anybody tell me?"

She went quiet and a peal of anger stirred in my throat. "You know why," Ivy said gently.

I did, naturally. Dad wouldn't have wanted me to know. I took a deep breath, trying to relax. "And Dad?"

Ivy's expression turned dreary. "He's… well, he's still Dad. And he's doing something you're really not gonna like."

I stared at her, a ball of apprehension heavy in my stomach. What more could this man possibly do? "What now?"

"He's giving your trust fund to charity."

There was a heavy silence between us, as Ivy stared at me wringing her hands together. My stomach twisted, anger bubbling under my skin. "That wasn't the fucking deal, Ivy. I'm entitled to that money when I graduate. By law."

She nodded. “I know. And he knows. But he’s doing it anyway. He won’t give it to me either, because he knows I’d just give it to you.”

I clenched my teeth, my fists tightening. I'd spent the last two years working just to pay tuition, taking out student loans because I knew I had a trust fund in my name. And now, when I was so near the finish line, my father was taking it away from me. It would take me years to pay those loans back without that fucking trust fund.

Ivy shifted, looking uneasy. "I know it's a stretch, and I shouldn't even ask, but… he's giving you a chance because of Mom."

I exhaled sharply. "Ivy—"

"If you just—"

"Fuck him," I cut in, my voice dry. "Just fuck him."

Her shoulders sagged, and we stood there for a while in silence. After a while, she reached out, squeezing my arm. "I’m sorry, I had to try."

I could just manage a small, tired smile. I wasn’t mad at her. "I know."

She sighed. "Come on. Let's go get some coffee or something before I leave."

I nodded, following her as we walked to the nearest café. My mind was a storm of emotions, but for now, I had my sister. And for a moment, for a fleeting, beautiful moment, that was enough.