chapter 4

I walked in just as the four of them were packing for a trip.

The moment they saw me, it was as if they'd remembered they had another daughter.

"What are you doing back?"

I laid the consent form in front of Mom and Dad.

"Sign it."

Mom read through it and looked at me with genuine approval.

"Eleanor, that's wonderful."

Stella chimed in, her voice dripping with false sweetness.

"Yes, Eleanor, you're amazing! You have to win that contest!"

If I hadn't caught the fleeting flash of jealousy in her eyes, I might have believed her act.

Dad was just about to sign when Stella suddenly toppled off the couch.

"Mom… I… I feel terrible."

Chaos erupted. Mom and Dad rushed over.

"Stella! You're bleeding! Dad's taking you to the hospital!"

Dad scooped her up and sprinted out. Mom clung to her hand like a lifeline.

The cut on Stella's hand wasn't serious—it would have healed on its own.

And in the end, only I was left, surrounded by the mess they'd abandoned.

I had known this would happen, yet I had still held out hope that maybe, this time, things would be different.

In my past life, targeting Stella at every turn had earned me nothing but hatred. By middle school, my family despised me and sent me to boarding school early.

But this time, I had fought for nothing, competed with no one, and excelled academically—and still, I was cast aside.

Mom and Dad didn't return until the next day.

Mom looked at me guiltily.

"Stella's weak. She needs to stay in the hospital for observation…"

"No need to explain." I picked up my bag and headed for the door.

"Eleanor, wait—you still need the signature!" Mom blocked my way.

"The deadline was last night at ten," I said flatly.

Mom's expression turned flustered, and she looked to Dad for backup.

I didn't care to listen to any of their excuses.

Later, I heard Stella wanted to learn to paint. Mom and Dad spent a fortune hiring a famous tutor to instruct her.

And who told me that? Stella, of course.

She came to the school to "apologize," each word dripping with how much Mom and Dad doted on her.

On my 18th birthday, Mom and Dad rented a five-star hotel to "celebrate for both of us."

But it was really for Stella, their precious gem.

She wore a stunning dress and went on stage to perform, the Mercury necklace around her neck glaringly bright.

That necklace had been my gift.

When Mom had given it to me, Stella had looked at it with envy.

"Wow, Eleanor, that's such a beautiful gift. Mom and Dad are so nice to you. Can I borrow it later?"

I glanced at the heirloom jade bracelet in her hand—her 18th birthday gift—put the necklace away, and said coldly, "No."

Her eyes reddened instantly, but she forced a smile. "It's fine."

"Eleanor, you're being so petty," Derek said, appearing behind me.

He glared at me, his eyes burning with anger. "You made Stella cry. Apologize to her!"

"It's not Eleanor's fault. I was being unreasonable… !"

Stella suddenly clutched her chest and began coughing violently, looking utterly miserable.

Mom rushed to get her water.

"It's all Mom's fault. I should've bought two."

Dad snatched the necklace from my hand.

"Let Stella have it first. I'll get you another later."

Just like that, my 18th birthday gift ended up around Stella's neck.

No one asked me if I agreed. No one cared about how I felt.

Her piano piece wowed the entire room. She was surrounded by praise, basking in attention without a second thought.

And I? I stood on the edge like a clown, watching them perform their perfect little family act.

I turned and left, heading to an arcade alone.

In my past life, I had never allowed myself such carefree fun.

This was my gift to myself for finally becoming an adult.

It wasn't until five in the afternoon that my phone rang.

"Eleanor," Mom said, her voice anxious. "Where are you?"

"What are you running around for!" Dad snapped.

"Really, so irresponsible!"

They took turns scolding me.