Chapter 2

My parents' faces crumpled with regret, tears streaming down their cheeks.

"Sophie, we're so sorry," my parents said together, voices trembling.

After I finished speaking, I tugged at the rope to make sure it was tight enough.

I got up and started dragging the stone over.

Just like I'd seen on TV, I planned to climb up, kick the stone away, and end it all.

Mom looked helpless and quietly scolded Charlotte, "Seriously, why did you have to pick a fight with her? She just got back.

"Didn't I tell you before? Sophie had it rough growing up. You need to treat her better," Mom added.

Charlotte let out a cold snort, but couldn't argue.

Dad gripped the stone tightly, refusing to let go. He said, "Sophie, we shouldn't have said those things. We were wrong. Please forgive us, okay?

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Whatever you want, just say the word and I'll get it for you."

I gave him a frosty glare and didn't bother to respond.

My heart was shattered, and nothing they could buy would ever make it whole again.

When the stone didn't work, I went off to find something else I could use as a step.

Just then, Mom suddenly came up with an idea and said in a panic, "Sophie, Charlotte wasn't actually rolling her eyes at you. Her eyes were just feeling uncomfortable."

With that, Mom elbowed Charlotte to play along.

Charlotte quickly rubbed her red, tear-stained eyes and stammered, "Y-yeah, I was just, uh, doing some eye exercises. My eyes felt weird."

As she spoke, her eyes flicked up and down, rolling all over the place.

Just like when she rolled her eyes a moment ago.

I asked hesitantly, "Really? You didn't dislike me?"

The whole family turned to me and all nodded at once.

I paused to think and then said, "Alright, I'll stick around a bit longer."

My parents let out a huge sigh of relief.

I went over and took the rope down from the tree.

My parents exchanged a glance, and Mom rushed over. She said, "Sophie, you know, it's not really great to be carrying that rope everywhere you go, is it?

"What if you lose it? Let me keep it safe for you," she said.

I looked up at her and asked, "So you think I'm careless? Fine, maybe I should just use it now; then I won't have to worry about losing it."

As soon as I finished speaking, Mom's face fell.

She looked like she could kick herself.

Then she forced a bitter smile and answered, "No, no, don't overthink it. Just keep the rope yourself."

By dinner time, my brother Andrew Lane was back.

He gave me a cold look, his eyes guarded.

I had just sat down, ready to eat.

Andrew noticed the salt and pepper shrimp, Charlotte's favorite, sitting right in front of me, and his brows knitted together, clearly annoyed.

"Why did you put Charlotte's favorite shrimp so far from her?" Andrew asked.

The maid Lana Lewis glanced at me reluctantly and said, "Your parents instructed it to be placed like this."

Andrew's expression soured even more.

Now that she had backup, Charlotte pouted and looked at Andrew with big, sad eyes.

Charlotte said, "Andrew, Sophie likes shrimp too, so they put it closer to her. It's fine, I don't mind.

"After all, Sophie's your real sister, the actual heiress of the Lane family."

Mom jumped in, trying to keep the peace. She said, "Charlotte, cut it out. Sophie's had it rough; she deserves to eat more, okay?"

Dad jumped in, too. He said, "Lana, next time make two plates of shrimp. Both girls like them. For now, let's eat."

Lana shot me a meaningful look and nodded.

But Andrew's brows were already twisted into a knot.

He said, "Mom, Dad, I can't believe you're showing such obvious favoritism. Sophie just got back, and you're already putting her first. So what's going to happen to Charlotte?

"Just because Charlotte's always the considerate one, does that mean you get to treat her like she's invisible?"

With that, Andrew suddenly stood up.

He snatched the plate of shrimp from in front of me and set it down hard in front of Charlotte.

Andrew gave me a frosty glare. He said, "Shrimp always goes in front of Charlotte. That's how it's always been, and it's not changing."

Charlotte's eyes lit up with glee and triumph.

So my own brother, Andrew, hated me, and this family didn't welcome me at all.

I didn't cry or throw a tantrum.

Instead, I stood up in silence, went upstairs, and threaded my rope through the railing.

My parents shot Andrew a furious look.

Mom rushed over to comfort me, while Dad pulled Andrew in front of me, making him apologize.

Dad yelled, "This is all because of you. Your own sister is about to hang herself."

Andrew stared at me, disbelief all over his face. He said, "I did nothing wrong. I'm not apologizing.

"Come on, it's not the dark ages. Who actually tries to hang themselves anymore? Are you guys for real?"

I tied the rope, a tear of pure hopelessness slipping down my face.

"If Andrew hates me this much, then I'll just die. From now on, Charlotte can be your real sister," I said, my voice hollow and bitter.

I glanced at Charlotte, finally letting go. I said, "The shrimp's all yours from now on."

Then I turned to my parents, my words heavy with heartbreak. I said, "Mom, Dad, try not to lose your kid if there's another chance."

Andrew snapped impatiently, "Sophie, are you done making a scene yet?"

My brother really didn't like me; this family didn't welcome me.

I couldn't take it anymore.

I closed my eyes and kicked the stool out from under me.