章節 4: Chapter 4. Leaving the House Soon

As the much-anticipated K-pop audition in Los Angeles got closer, Rachel and her best friend Harper talked all the time, making plans for the entirety of their trip. They spent hours on the phone when they were not at school or with their families.

Rachel's longtime dream had been to become a singer. She had been passionate about it since she was a little girl. Rachel was determined to follow her singing path, even though her family failed to comprehend her deep passion and tried to discourage her. The K-pop audition, where top agencies from Seoul were present, was her one and only chance to show what she could do and make her dreams come true.

Harper made the bold choice to accompany Rachel to Los Angeles and remain by her side until the audition process was complete. She had thoroughly researched every aspect of the event and was ready to step in and assist Rachel should any challenges arise. Harper had already made the necessary arrangements, sending everything she needed to the address her sister had provided in Heidelberg, Germany.

After seeing Rachel off, Harper would embark on her own journey, heading straight to Heidelberg to begin her studies at the prestigious Brandenburg-Prussia University. Brandenburg-Prussia, the oldest university in Germany, dating back to 1395, is renowned for its excellence in research and the arts. The UNESCO Creative Cities Network has given the city the title of 'City of Literature', enhancing its standing as a center for intellectual and cultural pursuits.

Harper's decision to attend Brandenburg-Prussia's Faculty of Behavioral and Cultural Studies, specifically the Institute of Psychology, reflected her own aspirations. Her sister, who lived in Berlin, would assist her in settling into her new home in Heidelberg before Harper returned to support her sibling.

"So, when will you come to Berlin?" Harper's older sister, Dylan, asked her over the phone.

Harper replied calmly, "The class starts in October, and I have plenty of time to prepare. I only need about a month or so. I want to help my friend Rachel first."

"Alright, I would appreciate it if you could inform me at least two days in advance of your plans to visit Berlin. Then, we can prepare to travel to Heidelberg afterwards, understand?"

"Okay, I understand," Harper acknowledged.

A moment of hesitation passed before Dylan asked, "How is Mother?"

Harper's response was tinged with weariness. "Dramatic, like usual."

Dylan's voice trembled as she whispered, "Father?"

Harper took a deep breath before revealing the painful truth. "Don't worry; you don't have to be concerned. I was the only one he abused, while our brother and sister were spared from his violence. After I move out, he will only live with his favourite kids."

Dylan didn't know about Harper's scary and dark secret that had been haunting her for years. Dylan was the oldest child and helped his parents raise their three younger siblings in a significant manner. The younger siblings always looked endearing and well-behaved from the outside. But things were much more complicated than that. Because of Harper's beauty, their own father had been abusing her while she suffered in silence. The rest of Harper's family had bright red hair, but hers was a beautiful shade of dark golden brown that went perfectly with her emerald green eyes.

Their father even tried to test Harper's DNA, but his own wife stopped him. However, his anger grew even stronger when he realised that Harper had a magnetic charisma that drew people to her more than his favourite daughter, the youngest. Despite not being the brightest among her peers, Harper's friendly demeanour and consistent academic success made his irrational anger worse.

The father was very angry with Harper because he thought she always looked down on him. Harper looked a lot like the sister-in-law he hated so much, the one who's always looked down on him, whether it's her career, salary, or everything. His anger got worse, and he started abusing her all the time.

In the midst of this nightmarish situation, Dylan gradually started to piece together what was really happening. The abuse was making their other siblings very scared, so they turned to Dylan for help. They told each other how worried they were about Harper and how they thought her pain would finally break her. Because Harper had been through so much pain, they were afraid that she would one day turn violent against their father.

"It's either dad or Harper who's going to die! If Daddy didn't kill her, she will! Dylan! Please!" Was what Dylan's younger brother pleaded with her. Dylan's heart sank as she listened to her siblings' anguished pleas. She realised the gravity of the situation and knew she needed to intervene.

"It might be a good idea to get out of the house right now," Dylan said to Harper in the present, her voice tinged with urgency.

Harper and Dylan had a ten-year age difference, which made Dylan the sibling the younger ones would turn to with their problems. Especially with the youngest, there was a nineteen-year gap, and Dylan, now 28 years old, was already a manager at one of the oil and gas companies in Berlin.

Harper chuckled dryly. "There's no need to hurry. I won't be returning to his house anytime soon; I'll savour the moment."

"Harper!" Dylan exclaimed, her concern palpable. "You can't stay there. It's not safe."

Harper took a deep breath, her voice resolute. "If anything happens, I'll flee as quickly as possible. I swear."

Dylan's brow furrowed with worry. She knew all too well the depths of their father's cruelty, and the thought of Harper enduring more abuse was unbearable. "Please, Harper, you have to leave. Just come quickly to Germany; buy the ticket to Berlin; I already sent you the money, aren't I? I can't stand the thought of you being there a moment longer."

Harper paused, considering her sister's plea. She had been dreaming of escaping this toxic environment for years. "I will; don't worry. I just need to help my friend first; Rachel needs me. After going with her, I'll fly to Berlin, not going back home."

"Okay, let's talk about this, Rachel, later. But, are you sure, Harper?"

"Yeah, I'm sure. And I just hope Father didn't touch our little brother and sister. I just hope they'll remain his favourites once I leave this house." Harper finally said, her voice trembling.

"I'll make sure they're taken care of," Dylan assured her. "You need to focus on your own safety right now. And your future Harper, you have so many talents."

Harper felt a twinge of sadness when she thought about her little sister and little brother. They have been trying all they can to save her all these years. And leaving the house would mean severing ties with her family for the foreseeable future, but the promise of a peaceful life in Germany was tempting. And Brandenburg-Prussia University already accepted her registration, and the cost of university in Germany is cheaper than in the USA.

All students must pay a standard fee of about 171 euros to the student union for common facilities, administration, and Studentenrat. There is no difference in this fee between German, EU, and non-EU students. International students from non-EU/EEA countries have to pay tuition fees of 1,500 euros per semester. Her sister Dylan already told her that she would be responsible for her university fee.

"Okay," Harper finally said, her voice trembling. "I'll come soon; don't worry, Dylan. But let's make sure our brother and sister will be fine once I leave this house."

Dylan's heart swelled with relief and determination. "I promise, Harper. You'll be fine after this. It's time to start a new chapter in your life."