Chapter 3

It was Ethan.

He glared at me, his eyes blazing with fury.

"Rachel, that's enough. Emily is not feeling well today, and we're all worried about how she's doing. But you're just shamelessly seeking the spotlight. You have less compassion than a stray dog."

I slowly looked up and saw Emily, protected by my parents.

She was wearing a light, strappy dress, looking like a fairy who'd fallen to earth.

When our eyes met, she gave me a victorious smile.

Just like she'd done so many times before, she took away the people I cared about without even trying.

She was not sick at all.

She was totally faking it on purpose.

I wiped the dirty water off my face, gritting my teeth against the stabbing pain in my lower back as I slowly stood up.

I shot back, "Sick? Yet she can strut around in a skimpy dress, hang out in the cold, and set off fireworks at night?

"Isn't it amazing how she catches a cold that only appears when it's useful?"

The next second, I kicked off my other high heel and chucked it right at Ethan's face.

"Ouch! Rachel, are you freaking crazy?" Ethan shouted in anger, clutching his face in pain.

I stared at him, coldly. "You were the one who shoved me into the pool first."

"Rachel, it's all my fault. I shouldn't have gotten sick today. Because of me, no one could go to your concert. You must be really upset..." Emily said, her eyes red and watery.

She nervously held out a bracelet. "I put a lot of thought into making this for you. I hope you like it."

I just gave it a quick look.

It was a bracelet woven from grass.

And it still had mud all over it.

It was so "thoughtful".

I took the bracelet with barely a glance and then just tossed it into the bushes without a second thought.

"Rachel, you..." Emily began, her voice shaky.

Her face crumpled in heartbreak as she suddenly buried herself in my mom's arms, sobbing quietly.

"Rachel, that's enough!" my father snapped, his eyes blazing. "Emily went out of her way to get you a gift, and this is how you treat her?"

"Maybe Rachel just thinks my gift is too lame. It's probably not good enough for her," Emily whimpered, her voice trembling.

She looked all innocent, but she was just pouring fuel on the fire.

Sure enough, my dad's face turned ashen with rage. "You're so vain at such a young age. We really raised an ungrateful brat. Rachel, apologize to Emily right now."

I stared at him, my face blank. "Last month, for your birthday, I gave you a scarf I made with my own hands. But when Emily said it was poorly made, you just threw it away without a second thought.

"I'm just treating her the same way you treated me. What's wrong with that?"

My dad was stunned for a moment.

I started working on that gift six months in advance.

My fingers were covered in cuts and blood, and I ruined it over and over before I finally got it right.

He didn't even bother to try it on and just tossed it straight into the trash.

Watching my dad's face twist through a dozen emotions, I let out a cold, mocking laugh.

"See? You only know how much it hurts when it's your turn to bleed," I sneered.

"Rachel, I'm your dad," my dad barked, his face clouded with anger. "What's with that attitude?"

I nodded. "Yeah, you're my dad. I'm just doing what you taught me. Is that so wrong?"

My dad was stunned, his mouth opening and closing, but for once, he couldn't say a word.

I didn't bother to argue anymore and just turned away, heading straight for my room.

Ever since Emily hogged the big south-facing room, I'd been stuck living in the north-facing storage room.

It was always dark and damp, never getting a single ray of sunlight.

But it was the only place where I could catch my breath.

Standing in front of the mirror, I looked at myself, dripping wet, a wreck. I couldn't help it. The tears just spilled out, no matter how hard I tried to hold them back.

I always thought that if I became good enough, if I made them proud, maybe my parents would finally notice me for once.

I even tried acting just like Emily, copying her every little gesture and smile. Yet, they called me pathetic and said I was just a cheap imitation, but I didn't care. I just wanted a scrap of their love.

But I was wrong.

They all thought I was just some vain drama queen, fighting for their love, acting jealous and dramatic over Emily.

But all that favoritism was supposed to be mine from the start.

I was just reclaiming what was mine. Was that really a crime?

My phone vibrated on the table.

I glanced down and saw a message from my orchestra teacher, Donna Randall.

[Rachel, congratulations on your first performance as the lead pianist. You absolutely nailed it. I wish I could've been there to give you flowers and cheer you on, but I'm out of town. You're truly the best and always the pride of our orchestra.]

[The orchestra is going on a world tour starting next week. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to learn and grow. Don't miss out.]

I wiped the tears from my face and replied right away: [Thank you, Ms. Randall. I'll sign up right now.]

Not long after, Donna sent me the registration link and reminded me. [This tour could last two or three years, so make sure you let your family know.]

I replied to her message quickly, but honestly, I had no intention of telling anyone.

I was eighteen now. I could make my own choices.

There was nothing left for me here. No one was worth staying for.

Trying to find proof that anyone loved me hurt like hell.

This time, I was finally going to put myself first and love myself for real.