Chapter 1

My parents had spent their whole lives favoring my sister.

When I opened my eyes again, I no longer wanted to fight.

She wanted my spot in university? I gave it to her.

She wanted my research project? I let her have it.

She even wanted my boyfriend, and I handed him over without a second thought.

In this life, all I wanted was to live quietly and love myself, fully and freely.

I was given a second chance, and I didn't owe anyone anything.

*****

"Ninette, you know Xandra's not in the best health. She can't stay up studying all night like you. She'd never get into a good university on her own. So, about your direct admission spot..." Dad's voice faltered a bit.

With Mom glaring at me, he finally said it. "Could you give that spot to Xandra?"

He said it like a question, but it wasn't. It was an order, plain and simple, without the slightest guilt.

I stared at Dad in disbelief, still dazed. But in my mind, the image of falling off that tall building flashed again.

That was when it hit me.

I was 17 again, right at the turning point of my life.

I was lost in my thoughts and didn't answer, so Mom's expression grew even colder.

She snapped, "Ninette, you're smart, you're capable—unlike Xandra. Whether you want to or not, you have to give up that spot."

In my previous life, Mom had said the exact same words.

Back then, I'd been furious, swearing I'd never give up the spot that I earned.

But in the end, Mom and Dad pulled strings behind my back and gave it to my older sister, Xandra Jones.

They didn't even bother telling me it was already done. I wasted months slacking off, thinking everything was settled. In the end, I didn't even bother with the SATs. I lost my shot at the school of my dreams.

When it all came out, I confronted them. I demanded to know why.

And all they said was, "So you'll take the exam next time. What's the big deal?"

That casual remark forced me to grind through months of studying.

I finally got into university, only to deal with the mess of Xandra failing every class and nearly getting kicked out.

So then, Mom and Dad asked me to give up one of my research projects to help Xandra graduate.

I said no. But again, they pulled strings and threw money around to make it happen.

I cried and threw tantrums, but in the end, I was the one kicked out for not having enough credits.

It took me too long to realize that anything they could take from me was never really mine to begin with.

My spot at university and the research project were never truly mine.

But what truly belonged to me, like my grades and my knowledge, those couldn't be taken.

I looked my parents in the eye and said, calm and steady, "Fine. I'll give it up."

Mom's eyes widened. She was clearly not expecting me to give in so easily.

Dad let out a long sigh, like a weight had finally lifted.

"Ninette, you're so sensible. It really helps us sleep at night," he said, and Mom nodded in agreement.

Then Dad handed me a gift.

It was that Lego battleship set I'd wanted forever.

Once fully built, it could take up my entire room.

But in my previous life, that Lego set had ended up in Xandra's room, not mine.

Each day felt like I was just going through the motions—school, home, and rereading the same things I'd already memorized.

Whenever I felt burned out, I'd lie on the floor and work on the Lego set.

Sometimes, I'd spend whole weekends lost in those tiny pieces.

After six months, I finally completed the battleship.

But I barely had time to admire it before Xandra smashed it.

She found it in my room and invited classmates over to show it off.

Trying to carry the massive thing herself, she dropped it in the living room. The entire model shattered. She even cut her forehead in the process.

Through tears, she apologized and promised to help rebuild it.

I nodded and said, "Okay."

She started gathering the pieces. Some scratched her feet. Others were buried deep under furniture, and she got dust all over herself while searching for them.

Mom came in, saw her a mess, and immediately turned on me. "It's just a Lego model! Do you really have your sister crawling around on the floor? Ninette, can't you think of her health for once?"

She'd forgotten it was Xandra who insisted on helping, forgotten that I'd spent six months hunched over, piecing it together.

But I didn't care anymore. I'd stopped expecting anything from Mom a long time ago.

No expectations meant no disappointment.

I looked at Xandra, who was still crying, and said, "I know you're fragile. Just stop looking."

Xandra shook her head, guilt etched across her face. "I broke it. I need to fix it."

I couldn't help but laugh bitterly. "But you're hurt. Mom and Dad will only feel sorry for you and say I'm being cruel. Are you really trying to help, or are you just trying to get me scolded again?"

Xandra froze.

Even Mom looked shocked.

My voice stayed calm. "This model was never mine, was it? I must've stolen your toy. That's why you thought you could take it out of my room without asking."

I smiled coldly. "Guess I was out of line. Dad was just being kind, and I had the nerve to take what wasn't mine. Don't worry; it won't happen again. I'll make sure I know my place."

Mom and Xandra just stood there, speechless.

Their mouths hung open, like they wanted to say something, but no words came.

I didn't want to waste energy arguing.

I went back to my desk and put on my headphones.

The sound drowned out everything else.

All that remained in me was the determination to study.

As for Lego sets, I'd just buy my own in the future.