Chapter 2

Just as expected, Mom's face turned cold. "Why bother sending someone as selfish as her to study abroad? She'll probably come back with an even darker heart!"

Maisie replied gently, "Don't be angry, Mom. Carmen must have her own reasons."

Mom's expression softened. "Maisie, you're just too kind. That's why your sister keeps bullying you."

Maisie was always the one who knew exactly how to win Mom and Dad's favor.

I knew that even if I stood right in front of them and told them about all the awful things Maisie had done to me growing up, they wouldn't hesitate to slap me and accuse me of making things up out of jealousy of Maisie.

Over the years, I've gotten used to it.

Just then, my brother, Howell, came storming in, worry written all over his face as he hurried to check on Maisie.

As soon as he heard about Maisie's accident, he caught the first flight home from another city, barely pausing for breath.

Just like Mom and Dad, Howell only cared about Maisie.

Once he was sure Maisie was okay, he finally relaxed, but his face twisted with rage. "I've been saying it for years—Carmen is our family's jinx. God knows how many times she's hurt Maisie since she was born."

Maisie seized the moment to play the victim, acting all cute. "Don't be mad, Howell. Even if Carmen did push me into the street, I'm sure she didn't do it on purpose."

As soon as she said that, the whole family went ballistic.

Dad slammed his hand on the table. "What? She really pushed you into the street?"

Mom gritted her teeth in anger. "That little witch! I'm not letting her get away with this."

And Howell, the look in his eyes was pure poison, like he'd love nothing more than to tear me apart.

Maisie's heart skipped a beat, afraid she'd stirred up too much trouble and might get caught. She hurried to play innocent, "Mom, Dad, Howell, please don't be angry with Carmen, okay? Maybe I remembered it wrong. After all, she's my sister; she wouldn't do something like that."

Howell reached out and tapped her forehead with a doting smile. "You really are too pure, Maisie. You have no clue how cruel people can be."

"We must be truly blessed to have a daughter like you," Mom said, her voice overflowing with pride. "Alright, Maisie, I'll do as you say. Forget about that rotten one; let's just focus on helping you recover."

The warm golden light of the sunset spilled across Maisie's hospital bed. Watching the four of them laughing together, I felt a sour ache I couldn't even put into words.

In that moment, my soul felt completely out of place.

It was like I wasn't even family but just a stray dog on the street, unwanted and ignored.

I wanted to run, but my soul was chained to Mom's side, voiceless, powerless to escape their humiliation.

A few days later, after the whole family fussed over her, Carmen was finally discharged from the hospital.

Mom was running around, making sure everything was packed. Dad had the car waiting right at the hospital entrance, terrified Carmen might have to walk even a single step. And Howell was so attentive that he wouldn't even let her put on her own shoes.

On the way home, Mom complained, "Carmen is just awful. She didn't even show up once when Maisie was discharged, let alone apologize. Just wait till we get home. I'll teach her a lesson!"

Dad glanced at Mom and muttered, "See? I told you keeping her in the house was a disaster waiting to happen. It was only a matter of time before something blew up."

When I heard Mom say she was going to "teach me a lesson," I couldn't help but feel a complicated mix of emotions.

A flood of memories came rushing back.

Ever since I was a kid, Mom always favored Maisie. She always made me put her first, no matter what.

Just because on the day Maisie was born, I accidentally spilled some water, Mom slipped and had to deliver early.

Maisie ended up in an incubator, and everyone was worried sick about her.

Dad was so furious that he slapped me so hard my eardrum ruptured. "You're nothing but bad luck. You almost got your sister killed right after she was born."

Mom just lay there in her hospital bed, weak and tired, and when she looked at me, all I saw was disappointment in her eyes.

Back in elementary school, just because I got into a fight with Maisie over a Barbie doll, Dad beat me so badly I couldn't get out of bed for three days.

That Barbie was my all-time favorite toy.

Even though Dad only tossed it to me as an afterthought when he brought back a gift for Maisie from his business trip, it was still the one thing I cherished most.

But Maisie, who already had so many stuffed animals she couldn't even fit them all into several boxes, still insisted on fighting me for that Barbie.

As we fought over the Barbie, Maisie suddenly let out a shrill scream and started bawling her eyes out.

Mom rushed over, scooping Maisie into her arms, crying as she shouted at me, "Carmen, your sister's been through so much because of you! How much more do you want to hurt her?"

"It wasn't me..." I whispered, barely able to get the words out.