Chapter 2 · Too Late to Want Me

When I got home, my family had returned from the amusement park.

When Mom saw me, her expression faltered for a moment.

Then she handed me an amusement park plushie.

Mom said, "Chloe, this is your birthday present.

"Sorry, we were going to celebrate your birthday, but your sister ranked in the top ten in her class this time. We promised her a trip to the amusement park if she did well.

"So we ended up changing plans halfway.

"You've always been so thoughtful, Chloe. You will understand, right?"

I looked up at the woman who used to hold me when I was little, calling me "Honey" and saying she couldn't bear to be apart from me.

Back then, I adored her.

I loved her.

I was obsessed with being by her side, like I was losing my mind without her.

But when I returned from the countryside to my home, I found a new girl had already taken my place.

Mom started calling her "Honey" instead of me.

Mom's hugs were reserved for her alone.

Back then, I couldn't help but feel left out.

I used to feel jealous and hurt.

But now, all I felt was relief.

It turned out that, like my adopted sister, Isabel Smith, I was also adopted.

It made sense that they didn't love me.

I nodded and said calmly, "I'm not mad at you."

After that, I didn't take the plushie. I saw from Isabel's Instagram post that she had thrown it on the ground and stepped on it.

I walked straight to my room.

Behind me, Mom's voice was full of annoyance.

Mom grumbled, "We gave her a gift, and she's still so cold.

"She never even tries to be close to anyone. No wonder I can't stand her."

Isabel's voice trembled with tears. "It's all my fault. I had to make a fuss about going to the amusement park.

"Chloe must be mad at me now. If I'd known, I never would've asked for a reward."

as I was about to leave, something slammed into me from the side, stopping me in my tracks.

My brother went crazy and shoved me hard to the ground.

My forehead slammed into the corner of the wall, sending a jolt of sharp pain through my skull.

He yelled, "Chloe, apologize to Isabel right now.

"We did miss your birthday today, but do you have to ruin the whole family's mood over it?"

He sneered at me, his words cold and merciless, "You're a baby we found in a dumpster. Why would someone like you ever be worth our time and effort for a birthday?"

Chapter 2

When I got home, my family had returned from the amusement park.

When Mom saw me, her expression faltered for a moment.

Then she handed me an amusement park plushie.

Mom said, "Chloe, this is your birthday present.

"Sorry, we were going to celebrate your birthday, but your sister ranked in the top ten in her class this time. We promised her a trip to the amusement park if she did well.

"So we ended up changing plans halfway.

"You've always been so thoughtful, Chloe. You will understand, right?"

I looked up at the woman who used to hold me when I was little, calling me "Honey" and saying she couldn't bear to be apart from me.

Back then, I adored her.

I loved her.

I was obsessed with being by her side, like I was losing my mind without her.

But when I returned from the countryside to my home, I found a new girl had already taken my place.

Mom started calling her "Honey" instead of me.

Mom's hugs were reserved for her alone.

Back then, I couldn't help but feel left out.

I used to feel jealous and hurt.

But now, all I felt was relief.

It turned out that, like my adopted sister, Isabel Smith, I was also adopted.

It made sense that they didn't love me.

I nodded and said calmly, "I'm not mad at you."

After that, I didn't take the plushie. I saw from Isabel's Instagram post that she had thrown it on the ground and stepped on it.

I walked straight to my room.

Behind me, Mom's voice was full of annoyance.

Mom grumbled, "We gave her a gift, and she's still so cold.

"She never even tries to be close to anyone. No wonder I can't stand her."

Isabel's voice trembled with tears. "It's all my fault. I had to make a fuss about going to the amusement park.

"Chloe must be mad at me now. If I'd known, I never would've asked for a reward."

as I was about to leave, something slammed into me from the side, stopping me in my tracks.

My brother went crazy and shoved me hard to the ground.

My forehead slammed into the corner of the wall, sending a jolt of sharp pain through my skull.

He yelled, "Chloe, apologize to Isabel right now.

"We did miss your birthday today, but do you have to ruin the whole family's mood over it?"

He sneered at me, his words cold and merciless, "You're a baby we found in a dumpster. Why would someone like you ever be worth our time and effort for a birthday?"