Chapter 1

When I came back, I somehow got linked to a bizarre system, and suddenly, I realized I'd become the unwanted daughter in a melodramatic story.

The rule was simple. Every time I got mistreated, I'd get money.

One day, my parents brought a colleague's daughter home, claiming they wanted to adopt her. Just as they were about to lay down the "rules", I cut them off.

I said, "I got the room ready for her. Mrs. Sloan's son went abroad, leaving her all alone, so I plan to move in and keep her company.

"All the stuff in my room? They're cheap gifts you bought me for my birthday. I figured Vivian wouldn't want them, so I sold them at a consignment store and got 177 dollars in total. I already transferred them to your account.

"Oh, and I guess you won't have time to attend my school events next week, so Mrs. Sloan will go on your behalf.

"Mrs. Sloan has treated me well since I was little. I'll just consider her and her husband my parents from now on. Besides, you still have another daughter, don't you?"

My parents' faces darkened further.

Even the System got annoyed at my rebellious streak.

Then my phone buzzed, and 30 thousand dollars magically appeared in my account.

Well, it turned out making money wasn't so hard after all. There were always loopholes in the rules, right?

My dad frowned. "Why did you sell everything in your room? Is this your way of acting out just because we brought Vivian home and you're unhappy about it?

"How can you be so twisted?"

I was still buzzing from the sudden 30 thousand dollars that showed up in my account, and it took me a while to come to my senses.

After getting a second chance and realizing I was basically an unwanted daughter in some tragic story, I planned to give up entirely.

I didn't want to suffer, and I certainly didn't want to make money through suffering.

I just wanted to live a happy, stress-free life.

What I never expected was that even tormenting my parents could trigger rewards.

That was wonderful news. After everything they put me through in my previous life, it felt right to get it all back,

I just sat there and let my dad finish his rant, then I spoke up, calm as ever. "Dad, wasn't it you who told me yesterday to clear out all that stuff?"

The room went dead silent.

I went on. "I told you yesterday those were birthday gifts I'd kept since I was little, my happiest memories, and that I couldn't bear to throw them away. Do you remember what you said?"

I paused, then mimicked his tone from the day before. "They're already moldy. Why are you treating them like treasure? Toss them out. They're just clutter.

"Well, I did what you said. I didn't toss them. I sold them instead and made 177 dollars. Guess my good memories were worth some money.

"It's a good thing, isn't it? Why are you mad at me?"

My dad was stunned for a moment. It looked like he finally remembered where all that "junk" really came from.

They were gifts he had bought for me on every birthday and every important holiday.

Back when I was a kid, he actually cared about me, but after Vivian Bridges showed up, everything changed.

Still, he refused to back down. "What do you mean? Stop right here. I'll show you the consequences."

"Enough." My mom cut in with a frown. "Your dad didn't mean it. Why are you making a big deal out of it?

"You don't have to move out. Just sleep on the cot in the living room for now. Once the storage room is cleaned up, it will be okay."

I pretended to be shocked. "The storage room is so dark and damp. You can barely turn around in there. Are you seriously going to have Vivian sleep there?"

My dad snatched up the ashtray and smashed it on the floor. "Don't play dumb. That's where you're supposed to sleep. Since when did you get so picky and sensitive?"

Seeing him lose his temper, my mom quickly stepped in to change the subject. "Let's not talk about this. Julie, didn't you want to go camping in the southern suburbs?

"I took time off just for this. We'll go this weekend and take Vivian with us."

I couldn't help but find it ridiculous. "Mom, you've been talking about that camping trip in the southern suburbs to me for three years.

"Every time, you were 'too busy'. Funny how now that Vivian's here, you suddenly managed to get time off."

My mom froze for a second, then shot me a glare and snapped, "Why are you keeping score over everything?

"Things changed, okay? Vivian just lost her father. What's wrong with me taking a few days off to be with her?"

I shook my head with a regretful sigh. "Well, what a shame. I already made plans with Mrs. Sloan this weekend.

"Have fun with Vivian, and don't forget to take selfies. If you feel like it looks odd to post without me, just edit me in. I don't mind."

My dad frowned. "You don't care about your own family and keep running around for outsiders. What the hell are you thinking?"

I got all serious. "Dad, don't be so selfish. Mrs. Sloan tells everyone how well you treated me. I'm building your reputation for you. You should be proud."

He was stunned into silence, just standing there with his mouth twitching, totally thrown off by my words.

He said, "You're unbelievable. Her son goes abroad, and you rush over to play the devoted child. Who do you think you are to lecture me? Am I not nice enough to you?"

He started pacing furiously around the living room, then suddenly spun around and jabbed a finger at me. "Fine. Go ahead. Go to Mrs. Sloan's place right now.

"And don't you ever call me Dad again. Go ahead and live with her. Let's see how long you'll last."

When Vivian noticed the tension easing off her, she pressed a hand to her forehead and collapsed onto the couch. "Mr. and Mrs. Dudley, please don't fight over me.

"If my father were here, he wouldn't want to see you unhappy because of me."

At the mention of her late father, my parents' expressions melted in a heartbeat. They turned to her at once, showering her with gentle words and affection.

With no one left to block me, I snatched up my suitcase and headed straight out the door.