Chapter 3

Ginger was just a day older than I was.

That was the last straw. I snapped, "I don't have a sister."

Camilla looked flustered. "Evelyn, come on, don't be like that. Your dad picked out a bunch of gifts just to bring you home. We really mean it, we want you back with us—"

"If you're so sincere, then why is she still here?" I shot back, pointing at Ginger.

That question left them all speechless.

Camilla and Earl exchanged glances, and Earl spoke first. "Ginger grew up with us. The kind of parents she had were never really fit to raise kids..."

Halfway through his words, he caught himself, and that guilt and helplessness on his face only got worse.

I just shot them a mocking smile and kept my mouth shut.

"Dad, if she doesn't want to come home, then don't force her. Everyone deserves to make their own choices," Henry chimed in.

But before he could get the whole sentence out, Earl shot him a glare. "Shut up."

Suddenly, I felt like stirring things up a bit.

"I'll come back, but only if she leaves," I said, my gaze locked on Ginger.

"Why do you have to go after Ginger just because you don't want to come home?" Henry snapped, voice rising.

I looked up at Earl. "What do you think?"

Earl hesitated, clearly torn, and before he could say anything, Camilla jumped in. "Fine."

"Mom!" Ginger shrieked, her voice sharp and desperate.

Earl looked genuinely shocked.

"Ginger, you're moving out today," Camilla said, her tone cold and unyielding.

Ginger bit her lip hard, putting on a show of righteous anger. "Fine! I know when I'm not wanted. I'll go."

She tossed her luxury shopping bags to the floor and stormed off by herself.

Henry shot me a venomous glare, then hurried off after Ginger.

Camilla and Earl lingered in place, clearly uncomfortable as their eyes tracked Ginger's departure. With me still standing there, though, neither of them dared to say a word.

This time, it really was different. Ginger left the Larson family for real, instead of hanging around just to sabotage me behind the scenes, getting all chummy with my family, making me feel small, and forcing me to be the outcast at home.

Turns out, not letting her get her way was downright satisfying.

*****

This summer, I was actually enjoying myself.

When the college entrance exam results came out, my score was high enough to get into any elite college I wanted. Without hesitation, I went to a top university out of state.

Camilla and Earl probably thought I'd at least talk it over with them, but instead, they just got the news that I'd already applied and been accepted to a university far away.

They grumbled a bit, saying it was too far for them to look after me, but in the end, they still bought an apartment near my school and put it in my name.

As for Ginger, after all the money they'd poured into her, I heard she tried the art track for college, but didn't cut. In the end, she could only get into an overpriced private university thanks to her family's wallet.

Camilla and Earl didn't say anything about it, but of course, they still picked up the tab for her expensive college.

This summer, I dedicated my time to learning piano, dancing, painting... really diving into everything I'd missed out on before.

Back in my previous life, I didn't touch the piano until my sophomore year, and I turned out to be a prodigy, breezing through the exams all the way to Level 10. My teacher was even ready to send me abroad.

But just one week before my flight, someone swapped my skincare lotion with a bottle of strong acid. I had no clue, and ended up pouring it onto my palm without a second thought.

My hand was destroyed. Of course, that meant saying goodbye to any dream of going overseas to study.

Afterward, the Larson family swore up and down they had nothing to do with it. And as always, everyone just let it slide and moved on like nothing ever happened.

This time, though, I was determined to learn everything I could to rebuild myself and seize every chance I've got.

*****

It was a week before school started.

At dinner, Camilla and Earl were tiptoeing around the topic.

They asked if Ginger could come back and stay for a few days. Since we were both about to head off to college, they said they wanted to throw a send-off bash so the house would be lively.

I was enjoying my meal, but when I heard that, it was as if I'd just swallowed a fly.

"Whatever you want," I said, pushing my plate away. "I'm done. I'm heading to my room."

After I got up from the table, the three of them began talking quietly among themselves.

Camilla sighed, "Why does Evelyn act like she's a stranger to us?"

Earl let out a weary breath, his voice now tinged with both guilt and a hint of pride. "We failed her, honestly. After going through all that, she still managed to get into a top university. Some of my friends' kids also took the college entrance exam this year, but none of them came close. Her score blew theirs out of the water."

Camilla lowered her gaze. "So, should we still ask Ginger to come back? Watching Evelyn just now... It's pretty clear she doesn't want Ginger here."

Earl pressed his lips into a thin line. "We'll talk about it later."

Even though they said they'd think it over, Camilla and Earl ended up inviting Ginger back anyway.

I was packing my suitcase when Ginger showed up at my door. She'd lost most of her swagger compared to last time.

She held out a gift with a big fake smile. "Evelyn, here's a little something for your freshman year."

I didn't want it.

But before I knew it, she'd already stuffed it into my hands.