Chapter 2

No matter how many lifetimes I went through, I'd still hate Waverly. To stay away from her, I skipped grades and went straight to middle school.

I was bright in both lives. These school subjects were too easy for me to bother with.

As for Waverly, all her talent seemed to be in pleasing people. Her grades were awful. When our classmates started praising me, she got jealous. She studied day and night, desperate to catch up.

And in the end, she just barely passed.

That evening, my dad beamed because I'd topped the class again. "What a clever girl you are, Madison."

I tried to smile but couldn't, especially with Waverly next to me, pale and holding her chest like she'd pass out.

Right away, my parents panicked. "Waverly, are you okay? Don't scare us like this. Come on, we need to get you to the hospital."

In an instant, the once-lively house went silent. Only the housekeeper stayed behind, watching me with pity.

"Ms. Langford, why not eat a little first? They'll be back soon," she said gently.

I picked at the lavish spread before me, eating mechanically, without a trace of sorrow.

The next morning was Saturday, so there was no school. Marcus found me reading on the couch, totally unbothered. Frowning, he stormed over. "Madison, Waverly's in the hospital. Aren't you even a little worried?"

I curled my lip. "She's not dying. Why should I care?"

In my previous life, she had at least fifty heart episodes. Meanwhile, I was cast out overseas. And as I was struggling alone in a foreign land, she was marrying my fiancé.

Marcus glared at me. "When did you get so cold? After everything we've been through, you really don't care? You're coming with me. She's your sister, too."

I looked at his grip on my arm, firm and unrelenting. I gotta learn some self-defense. Next time, I'd break free from his grip.

The hospital smelled like disinfectant, sharp and sickening. When we arrived, Waverly was already awake.

The doctor explained, "It's not serious. She's just overworked and emotionally stressed. With rest, she'll recover fine."

Waverly whimpered, "Sorry, Mom. I'm just not smart enough... I keep trying, but I can't catch up. I'll keep working hard... I promise."

She'd barely started studying, and already she landed in the hospital. My mom was beside herself with worry. "Waverly, don't scare me like that again. You must take care of yourself. You're more than your grades, sweetie. I love you no matter what."

"But Mom..." Waverly clung to her sleeve. "I'll never be like Madison. What if you stop loving me? I'm scared."

Serena Langford's eyes narrowed. "Did Madison say something to you?"

I had had enough of their theatrics and interrupted them, "I'd like to know that, too. What did I supposedly say?"

Waverly shrank back, her voice barely audible. "N-Nothing."

Serena looked at me with disappointment. "Madison, don't scare Waverly. You know how fragile she is."

Here we go again. Every time, because she was sick, I was told to watch my tone and be gentle.

In my previous life, sometimes I wondered why I wasn't born with a weak heart, too. If I were the sick one, maybe they'd finally treat me like I mattered. I'd rather be stuck in a hospital bed, swallowing pills, than suffer their constant neglect.

*****

I met my mom's eyes and said coldly, "So you really think I'm bullying her?"

She fell silent. Marcus cut in, frustrated. "We've known you since you were a kid. You've always been bossy and selfish."

But didn't they raise me to be like this? Before Waverly, I could do no wrong in their eyes. Now with Waverly around, I'm just the lesser daughter.

But I was not a doll to compare. I was human.

"I didn't drive her away when she first came, and I won't now. She'll always be the Langford family's princess," I said.

I turned and walked off. My mom stood there, frozen. She sensed it, too. Ever since Waverly came, I stopped running into her arms.

Once, she could read my moods in a heartbeat. Now it took her forever to even notice something was wrong.

"Madison..." she whispered.

She took my hand, about to speak. But Waverly interrupted, "Mom."

And just like that, her hand slipped away. I turned and walked out.