Chapter 1

My adopted sister always took what was mine.

Everything I loved, she'd find a way to take.

Dad, Mom, and my brother, they always took her side.

When we were kids, she took my favorite dress.

When we grew up, she took my university spot and even the guy I loved most.

In the end, she even took my identity.

But my adopted sister didn't know that I let her take those things on purpose.

Olivia Parker was the girl my parents brought home from the orphanage.

No matter what I had, Olivia would find a way to take it from me.

"Natalie, Olivia just wanted to ask for a piece of your clothing. Why are you being so petty?" My brother snatched the dress from my hands and handed it to Olivia. "If you keep bullying Olivia like this, you're no longer my sister."

Seeing my brother's fierce look made me incredibly heartbroken. He should have known this dress was a gift he gave me himself, my favorite.

But this was my life, almost every single day. No matter what I said, my parents and my brother always favored Olivia, always telling me to give up what was mine.

This time, Olivia even wanted to steal my place at university.

"Natalie, there's something I want to discuss with you," my dad said.

For once, Dad addressed me directly at the dinner table. Normally, all their attention was on Olivia, and I just felt like an outsider in my home.

"I heard you got accepted to Kainbor University. Let Olivia have your spot," Dad said.

I stared at Dad in shock, but he just looked completely unfazed. I glanced at my brother, Noah, and Mom. They didn't even bat an eye, like nothing was wrong at all.

"Dad, do you even know what you're saying? That's Kainbor University, the best school in the country. Do you even know how hard I worked for this?" I blurted out.

All those endless days and nights, I buried myself in my books, just so I could get into Kainbor University and finally leave this loveless home.

"Natalie, just listen to your dad and give Olivia your spot. You're a girl. Sooner or later, you'll get married anyway. What's the use of all that education?" Mom said.

"Mom, isn't Olivia a girl, too? Why is it okay for her to go to college, but not me?" I shot back.

"Natalie, Olivia's not like you. She's an orphan. She grew up without parents. How can you be so selfish? Don't you have any empathy at all?" Dad snapped.

I'd lost count of how many times this had happened. Every time I tried to stand up for myself and refused to give Olivia what she wanted, my family would gang up on me like this, forcing me to give in.

"Dad, Mom, Noah, I know you all want the best for me. You hope I can go to a good university and have a great future. But if Natalie really cares about this, I can't make her give it up," Olivia said.

Olivia stuck out her lower lip, looking so wronged. Mom and Dad instantly went soft, their hearts aching for her.

"Natalie, I never thought I'd have a daughter as selfish as you. Don't expect a dime from us when you're at college. You can just survive on your own for all I care," Dad snapped.

I'd already made up my mind to leave home as soon as I got into college, so their threats didn't bother me at all. "Fine, I don't need your money anyway."

Seeing I wouldn't back down, Mom got all worked up. "What's the point of you going to college? You're just a girl. Sooner or later, you'll get married and have kids. Why not just start working now and help support the family?"

I didn't even bother listening to them. I just stood there, chin held high. Suddenly, Noah shot up from his seat and asked coldly, "Are you really not going to give Olivia your spot at college?"

I didn't say a word, but my attitude was clear. Suddenly, Noah lunged at me, yanked me by the hair, and threw me straight into the storage closet.

"If you don't give Olivia your spot, you'll never leave this room for the rest of your life," he shouted.

I stared at Noah, utterly stunned. I couldn't believe he'd actually lock me up just to help Olivia take my spot at Kainbor University.

"Noah, I'm your real sister. How could you steal my chance at college and lock me away just for her?" I shouted.

"Shut up. Olivia's the only sister I care about. I'd never claim someone as selfish as you as my sister," Noah spat.

With that, Noah kicked me hard, sending me crashing to the floor.

Mom stood behind me and let out a long sigh. "Honestly, why do you have to make things so difficult for yourself? If you'd just let Olivia take your acceptance letter and go to college, you wouldn't be stuck in this mess."

After saying that, they locked the door behind them, making sure I couldn't get out.