chapter 3

Mom looked at Stella with doting eyes, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear.

Not once did she glance my way or ask if I was okay.

I took the pink bracelet Mom had given me earlier and tossed it into the trash can at the back. I didn't want anything Stella had picked out.

Mom and Dad took the stage as parent representatives, and every word that left their mouths was praise for Stella.

Talented in every way, sensible, obedient…

Studying hard, getting fifth place in class this term.

Not a single mention of me, even though I'd clearly taken first place in the entire grade.

I thought if I didn't care, my heart wouldn't hurt.

But the bitterness in my chest refused to fade.

When we got home, I wanted nothing more than to retreat to my room and study.

But my silence annoyed Derek.

"Eleanor, what's with the long face? Stella's in poor health. It's only natural that Mom and Dad pay extra attention to her."

I paused, so even my silence was apparently a fault.

And my parents sided with him, looking at me with obvious displeasure.

Stella suddenly burst into tears.

"Eleanor, I'm sorry. Don't blame Mom and Dad… they're just too worried about me, that's why they… "

Then she started coughing violently, her face paling.

Mom rushed to soothe her.

"Baby, you did nothing wrong. Don't apologize."

Dad added softly, "Yes, Eleanor won't blame you."

Then he turned to me, pointing a finger, snapping, "You're so unreasonable! As the older sister, you don't even care about Stella, and you're picking fights with her. Apologize right now!"

Under everyone's angry stares, I turned and went upstairs.

I understood: in this life, no matter what I did—or didn't do—I would still be hated.

In my past life, Mom and Dad hovered over her at every important moment, leaving me alone like some unsightly mistake.

I'd clashed with Stella constantly, losing myself entirely in a fight for love.

This time, I wouldn't waste my energy chasing such cheap family affection.

Soon came my first birthday at the Parker house.

But the pink crown, the white princess dress, the five-tier cake… all of it belonged to Stella.

In my past life, I'd made a scene at my birthday party.

Stella had gotten so upset she'd had an attack and been hospitalized.

I'd been labeled ill-mannered, hated by everyone, and my relationship with the family had completely collapsed.

I was snapped back to the present when I saw Sarah Hunt walking over with Landon.

Mom and Sarah had been college classmates and had always gotten along.

Stella had been betrothed to the Thornton family's son since they were very young.

After I returned, Sarah saw an opportunity and urged Landon to pursue me—and, surprisingly, he actually did.

Landon had been gentle, caring… a warm light in a heart burned by family neglect.

I had thrown myself into him, giving my devotion completely.

But Landon wasn't a good man. The moment Stella flirted with him, he latched onto her without hesitation.

Sarah called out, "Go play with Eleanor."

Stella's eyes lit up. She grabbed my arm.

"Eleanor, let's go together!"

She tugged me along, eager. Behind us, Sarah's voice carried clearly.

"The more I look at them, the more I think Eleanor and Landon would make a good match. Why not unite the families through marriage?"

She didn't lower her voice, and every word reached us loud and clear.

Stella froze for a split second, jealousy flashing in her eyes.

I knew her game. Just like in my past life, she had set her sights on Landon.

She had been engaged to the Thornton family's son since childhood, but the family had fallen on hard times. She had been wanting out of that engagement for a long time.

After all, there was a wealthy second-generation heir right in front of her—someone she could claim, use to break off her old engagement, and one-up me all at once.

Of course, she would fight for him.

Sure enough, once we were outside, she found an excuse to send me away.

By the time I returned, both she and Landon were gone.

I entered high school with the top score in the city.

I chose to live on campus to avoid watching the four of them flaunting their "perfect family love" every day.

One day, my teacher recommended me for a radio poetry contest.

I needed a parent's signature on the consent form, so I went home during the New Year's holiday.