Chapter 2

I became the family's disgrace.

My mom wished I were dead, just so I could pay for what Ashley did.

My dad, desperate to climb the social ladder, sold me off to an old leader who was twenty years older than me and whose three wives had all died.

In the previous timeline, I worked myself to the bone on the farm and wrecked my health, so I couldn't have kids. That man beat me and treated me like dirt.

In the end, I just couldn't take it anymore. I bought a pack of rat poison, determined to take him down with me.

In this timeline, Ashley actually thought going to the farm with our parents was some kind of luxury retreat. Then so be it. I would let her enjoy it.

I told my parents I'd marry into the Gordon family in Ellie's place.

But I made it clear. "She can't take all the family's money and belongings with her to the farm. I'm taking half."

As soon as I said that, my parents' expressions instantly soured.

My mom shot me a disapproving look.

She said, "See? Girls always end up caring more about their husband's family. You haven't even married into the Gordon family yet, and you're already trying to snatch things for them?

"Your dad and I were counting on you to look out for your sister and help our family once you're with the Gordons. Guess we really can't rely on you for anything!"

My dad's face was stern, his voice full of anger as he snapped at me, "Don't be so greedy! Ashley gave up her fiancé so you could have an easy life in the city, and now you're still trying to snatch stuff from her?"

Hearing my parents scold me without mercy, Ashley's lips curled into a faint smile, but she put on her sweet, obedient act.

She said, "Dad, Mom, if Ellie wants it, just give it to her. As long as I have Mom and Dad, I don't care about anything else."

My parents hugged Ashley, overwhelmed with emotion, but when they turned to me, they shot me a look of pure loathing.

Mom said coldly, "Ashley already gave up her fiancé for you, and you get to enjoy the good life in the city. What more do you want?"

She continued, "Fine. I will give you five hundred dollars. That's all you get for your dowry. The rest of the money and stuff in the house are for Ashley, to make up for what she's lost."

Five hundred dollars?

I lowered my head, unable to stop myself from sneering inside.

My dad had always been a big shot, and my mom was born with a silver spoon in her mouth. When she married him, her dowry alone was worth a fortune, with gold, silver, jewels, and antiques.

Now, all of that was going straight to Ashley.

And me? Just five hundred bucks to my name?

I'd known since I was little that my parents were always extra partial to Ashley.

But hearing their blatant favoritism and open disdain with my own ears, it was like my heart was being ripped apart by invisible hands. The pain was so suffocating I could barely breathe.

My tears fell before I could stop them, but I told myself that this would be the last time in my life I'd ever shed tears for Mom and Dad.

I didn't even bother to argue.

I knew it was useless. No matter how hard I tried, I could never compete with the way they doted on Ashley.

Besides, I was honestly curious to see how Ashley was going to hold on to all that loot with those vultures circling around this time.

Maybe it was my quiet obedience, not fighting or competing, that finally made my mom feel a tiny bit guilty toward me.

The next day, after my dad left, my mom called me into her room.

She slipped me two thick envelopes, making sure no one else saw.

She said, "Ellie, there are two thousand dollars in here, plus some food stamps, cloth coupons, and sugar coupons."

She continued, "Don't blame your dad and me. The only reason you get to enjoy the good life in the city is that Ashley gave up everything for you.

"Your dad and I are leaving everything in the house to her to atone for your supposed sins."

Pay for my sins?

Ashley ended up malnourished before she was even born, all because my mom was so scared of gaining weight that she basically starved herself during pregnancy.

Ashley only "generously" handed over the Gordon family engagement because, in the last timeline, the Gordons were about to get shipped off to an even tougher border farm anyway.

She just wanted me to step in for her and marry into the Gordon family.

She was clearly trying to throw me to the wolves. So, who was the one who really deserved to pay for their sins?

But I kept my mouth shut and played the obedient daughter, just taking the two envelopes from Mom.

Was there no way out on the most remote farm in the country? I didn't think so.

This time, I was going to live for myself.

I wasn't going to carry anyone else's baggage anymore, and I sure as hell wasn't going to bust my ass just to protect Mom and Dad.

This time, I was going to carve out my own path.

Mom, Dad, and Ashley were all busy running around.

I knew Ashley must've already spilled the beans to them about the previous timeline.

So Dad was scrambling to pull strings, trying to get out of being sent to the farm.

Mom and Ashley were busy hiding valuables all over the place, making sure no one would find them.

I grabbed my letter of introduction and went to the Gordon family's house all by myself.

Today was the day both families had agreed to register the marriage.

Ironically, my parents were running themselves ragged, doing everything they could to rewrite Ashley's destiny.

On the day I was supposed to get married, I was all by myself, lugging a pitiful little bag, not a soul to see me off.

I trekked over to the Gordon family's house on foot.

When I finally showed up at the military compound, I looked completely disheveled. I didn't even have a single new dress for the big day.