Chapter 2

As soon as I finished speaking, Claire's body suddenly shook. Her face drained of all color, and she collapsed right then and there.

Charles's face darkened. He picked Claire up in his arms, and before heading out, he gave me a harsh warning.

"If anything happens to Claire, I swear I won't let you get away with it!"

Charles carried Claire in his arms and rushed her to the hospital, with my parents hurrying after them.

The party wrapped up abruptly, and everyone gave me a complicated look.

After the Young family left, I rushed straight to the manager to get the surveillance footage, but I was still a step too late. Someone had already destroyed it.

*****

The Young family returned early the next morning.

Charles kept Claire close, shielding her, while my parents walked on either side of them.

Their smiles disappeared the second they saw me.

Charles instantly stepped in front of Claire and gave me a deadly glare.

"How can you even show your face here?

"Claire's health has always been fragile. If it weren't for you, she wouldn't have been pushed so hard that she passed out and had to be rushed to the hospital!"

"Is that so?

"Or maybe she fainted because she couldn't handle her own guilt?" I let out a soft, sarcastic laugh.

"What the hell are you talking about?" Charles yelled.

His fists clenched, knuckles popping. My parents looked furious, their faces twisted with anger.

Claire pressed a hand to her chest and slumped weakly into Mom's arms, looking like she was about to burst into tears.

"I know Evelyn doesn't like me. Maybe I should get out of here," Claire whispered.

"No way!" Mom, Dad, and Charles all spoke up at once, Mom's face full of heartache.

"You're the precious daughter I raised, so how could you leave?" Mom said.

"That's right! If anyone should be leaving, it should be someone else," Charles said.

He glanced at me and made it obvious who he was referring to.

Dad finally spoke up.

"Evelyn, the doctor said Claire can't take any more stress. For now, just move out and don't come back unless you absolutely have to."

Then he told the staff to start packing my stuff right away.

All my meager belongings had been stuffed into a small suitcase in my room.

Claire had appeared in the doorway at some point, wearing a triumphant smile, her eyes fixed on me with a venomous glare.

"Think you got away yesterday? Big deal. Mom, Dad, and Charles love me best. If I want you out, you're out no matter what," Claire taunted.

I pulled my suitcase along and, as I passed her, gave her a firm nod.

"You're right about that. So why not let your family's affection become mine instead?"

As I spoke, I triggered the system, claiming the affection that once belonged to Claire.

Claire looked at me like I'd just told the world's funniest joke, her eyes full of contempt.

"What kind of delusion are you living in? I've been with the Young family, by Mom and Dad's side, for eighteen years. You really think a bumpkin like you can compete with me?" Claire said.

I stood at the top of the stairs, pulling my suitcase, with Claire right behind me. Suddenly, her expression turned vicious.

"Evelyn, after everything you put me through last night, you really think you can just leave here, and that's the end of it? Today, I'm going to show you how things really are!" Claire snapped.

With that, she yanked my hand and, in one sudden move, pulled me along as she tumbled down the stairs.

She lay at the bottom of the stairs, her finger trembling as she pointed at me.

"Evelyn, I know you're upset that Mom and Dad made you move out because of my illness. If you wanted me to leave, you could've said it plainly. And I would have left. But why did you have to do this to me?" Claire said.

Mom and Dad rushed over when they heard the commotion, but they didn't help her up.

Instead, they ignored her completely, hurrying up to check on me, making sure I was alright.

"Evelyn, are you okay? Did you get hurt anywhere?" Mom asked, worry written all over her face.