Chapter 6: Letting Go of the Prize

The Fall Festival grand prize could only be won after beating every rigged game. I’d tried to buy it, waving around cash, but the vendor chased me off. "This ain’t Nordstrom, princess!"

I’d stomped my feet, furious. Luke just watched me, silent, then asked, "Do you think everything can be bought with money?"

He’d lost every game—until suddenly, he didn’t. That night, he won them all, then handed me the prize under the neon lights.

I’d thought it meant he cared.

But now I realized he’d only done it to keep me from making a scene, or hurting someone else. To keep things calm.

He never wanted to win for me.

I pressed my lips together, ready to tell Sarah she could have the prize. I didn’t want it anymore.

But Luke stepped between us, just like that night years ago. He blocked me from the world—protective, but more like a wall than a shield.

He spoke gently: "Mr. Chen made the prize this year. Didn’t you always want something from him? Do you still like it?"

His hand shook as he held it out, veins standing out. He looked so tense, I almost felt sorry for him.

I pasted on a smile. "Of course I like it."

But I gave it to Sarah anyway. "This was meant for you. I’m giving it back."

I didn’t want the prize, or Luke, anymore. I just wanted my dad—and the Morgans—to be okay.

I walked away, missing the way Luke’s body tensed, his face going icy. Sarah stared at me like I’d grown a second head, then accused, "What are you scheming now?"

I shoved the prize into her hands and called for Ethan, planning to escape for a walk.

But Luke’s voice stopped me cold. "Don’t you want the medallion either?" In his eyes, something flickered—fear, or maybe hope.