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An Outsider in My Own Family
An Outsider in My Own Family
Penulis: Lil Rock

Chapter 1

Penulis: Lil Rock
Having just finished off a big project, I had some time off. And since it was my birthday, our family decided to go skiing at the Isle of Loui.

I started planning for the trip and picking out ski gear a month in advance.

I had to manage everything myself since my parents and younger brother were not interested in handling the details.

However, this was my first family trip since I got lost over 20 years ago and returned. Although exhausted, I found it worthwhile.

The Isle of Loui was known for its four mountain slopes, stunning scenery, and state-of-the-art facilities.

Their seven-star-ranked accommodations were often fully booked, with reservations hard to come by. As such, I made sure to book rooms for my entire family in advance.

My brother, Fable Lewis, mentioned that his classmates would stay in the top-floor suites, where they could see the snow-capped mountains at first glance.

I ended up using some of my savings to upgrade our rooms.

The night before our departure, I happily shared my travel plans when Mom suddenly said, "Madie heard that we're going skiing and wanted to come along. Since there are only three rooms in the suite, you should stay somewhere else. I've already paid for it."

She then sent me an electronic receipt.

Momentarily stunned, I asked, "What did you say, Mom? You're bringing Madeline along?"

"That's right." She nodded, as if it was obvious. "It's a family trip, of course we're bringing her."

I clenched my fists. "My adoptive mother wanted to come along too when she heard about our skiing trip, yet you refused to let her. You said that you wanted our family to be together and didn't want anyone else there. So why is it okay now that Madeline wanted to join us?"

"How can she compare to Madie?" Mom pursed her lips. "Although you're my biological daughter, Madie has been with us for 23 years. She'll always be family, and will forever be my daughter."

"Since you cherished her so much, why do you still want me back?" I asked.

"What's with your attitude?" Mom frowned and scolded me, displeased with my questioning. "There are no available rooms left on the island, so I had to give yours to Madie. Do you expect her to stay in the storage room?"

I was surprised to hear about the storage room. Then, I realized that what she sent wasn't a proper receipt but a handwritten note.

After receiving the money, an employee on the island agreed to put a bed in the storage room, which housed the ski gear. They allowed me to stay for a few nights there.

I asked, "So you're letting your biological daughter stay in a storage room just so your adoptive daughter can be comfortable?"

"Why are you being picky when you've been wandering outside for years? Sleeping in a storage room is better than sleeping under a bridge!" Mom replied.

I chuckled coldly, turning to look at Dad and Fable, who were sitting on the couch.

Fable looked away and mumbled unhappily, "Madie has been with us all the while. It's only natural for a family to stay together."

Dad adjusted his glasses and coaxed, "We've been providing the best for Madie all these years, she wouldn't be comfortable staying in a storage room.

"You've always been understanding, Heidi, surely you'd get it, right? I know it's unfair to you, but we'll celebrate your birthday properly once we get to the estate."

Why should I be the one backing off when Madeline was clearly the one stealing my identity? Must I suffer just because I was understanding?

I smiled mockingly. "I wonder who here is your actual family? People might've thought Madeline is your biological daughter and sister instead. I shouldn't have returned if I knew this was happening."

"I knew it—a child who wasn't raised by us would never see us as family." Mom started pointing fingers and scolding me as if she finally found a way to attack me.

She continued, "We're just asking for a room change, it's not like we're not bringing you along. And yet, you're saying such things—you really disappoint me, Heidi.

"Back then, Madie chose to go abroad just to let you experience a complete family. Even after she came back, she was worried you'd mind, so she dared not come back home and rented a place herself. But now, you're even refusing her a room? How could you be so selfish?"

At that moment, the doorbell rang. Fable hurried to open the door and smiled affectionately at Madeline Lewis, who was standing outside. "Dad, Mom, Madie is back!"
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  • An Outsider in My Own Family   Chapter 2

    Fable eagerly helped Madeline to bring in her large suitcase. He then gave her a hug and said, "I missed you so much, Madie! You're finally willing to come back!"Mom's anger completely vanished as she lovingly took Madeline's hand. "My dear girl, why must you make yourself suffer by staying outside? Just stay here from now onward. You're my daughter—no one can ever take away your place."Dad quickly nodded as he handed Madeline a glass of water. He then patted her shoulders, comforting her.They played out the scene of a perfect family of four before me, while I completely gave up on them.Madeline had enjoyed her 23 years as the Lewis family's adoptive daughter. However, when the Lewis family went bankrupt, she chose to go abroad without hesitation. For the past few years, everything they ate, wore, lived in, and spent came from my hard-earned money.Fable was only 13 when I returned. My parents didn't have the time or energy to look after him, and his grades were disastrous.

  • An Outsider in My Own Family   Chapter 3

    Dad pulled a long face as he busied himself in the kitchen.By the time dinner was ready, Fable set up four sets of cutlery and sat Madeline down at my usual seat."There's none prepared for you," Dad said as he served her some spaghetti. "I only cook for my family. Someone who's petty and particular doesn't deserve to eat."I couldn't believe my ears. I was only defending myself, yet I somehow became the petty one.Perhaps what they wanted wasn't a daughter, but a scapegoat.I wasn't about to indulge him.I quickly helped myself to a plate of pasta and finished it off. Under their shocked gazes, I then gracefully wiped my mouth, took my keys, and headed for the door. "I've got things to do. Enjoy your meal, everyone."It would be foolish for me not to eat anything when I was the one who paid for everything.Just as I was about to reach the door, Mom came back to her senses. "Where are you going? We're departing tomorrow. How are we supposed to leave when you haven't packed up

  • An Outsider in My Own Family   Chapter 4

    After they left, I immediately called my assistant, Linda Morrison, and asked her to help me take out the trash."Are you throwing all of these away, Ms. Lewis? Some of these things are still pretty new," she asked.I nodded nonchalantly and said, "I'll leave them to you. You can take whatever you like, and send the rest to the dumpster."After clearing out the eight suitcases, I had the company's legal team draw up a statement to sever ties with my family.I then booked a cabin on a luxury cruise and set off on my journey around the world.…Mom called me just as I was boarding the cruise. "Didn't you book a full-course seafood dinner, Heidi? Why can't they find any reservation information on the island?"I replied, "Oh, I forgot to tell you I canceled the dinner."Mom immediately erupted in anger. "Why did you cancel it? What are we going to eat then?"I looked at the seagulls soaring freely by the sea and casually replied, "That's not my problem.""Can you stop causing tro

  • An Outsider in My Own Family   Chapter 5

    The next time my family managed to contact me was at 11:00 pm. I had turned on my phone to deal with work.Mom's shrill voice came from the other end of the line as soon as the call was connected. "You've really gotten bold, Heidi. You even dared to turn off your phone to threaten us? We'd think you were dead if we couldn't get a hold of you still!""Is this what a mother should be saying? I'm driving alone, and I've been gone for so long without answering your calls. Not only were you not worried that I might be involved in an accident, you're even wishing for my death now?" I said.Mom replied, "What else could've happened to you? You canceled our dinner and blocked us—I think you're just trying to make us look bad because you're worried we might spend your money.""Oh, you're actually right—don't think of spending my money anymore from now onward!" I replied.Sensing that I was serious, Mom got scared and immediately softened her tone. "Stop messing around, Heidi. I know you fe

  • An Outsider in My Own Family   Chapter 6

    After enjoying myself for over 10 days, I got a call from an unknown number. "Heidi, after what you've done wrong, you still went and blocked all our numbers? Do you even consider me as your mother—"I pulled my phone away from my ears. "I'm hanging up!""Wait, I haven't finished talking to you! We've been back for five days now. Why aren't you back yet? Where are you?" Mom asked.I replied, "Didn't I tell you previously that I'm traveling around the world?""What do you mean you're traveling around the world? How much would that even cost?" Mom asked.She almost lost herself as she yelled, "Do you know we can't even afford to get water now? I've not showered for two days! The bank has been calling me to pay up, yet you're outside enjoying yourself. I don't care, get back here now!""I can't believe Madam Wellis could ever find herself in such a mess! Unfortunately, the cruise hasn't docked, so I'm not in a position to help out. How about you get Madeline to help you instead? Aft

  • An Outsider in My Own Family   Chapter 7

    Seeing things were about to fall apart, Jordan quickly stepped in. "Your mother is sorry for what she did. Didn't you buy a necklace for Heidi, honey? You should go ahead and put it on her.""Right!" Fiona dug out a box from her handbag. "I remember you had one just like this when you were younger, but it got lost along with you. I'm getting you another one now. I hope you can understand how much I care for you."The necklace was dull and poorly made—nothing like the one Grandma gave me when I was younger. I didn't know how she could even say they were the same.I knocked it to the floor and said, "You spent 470 thousand on your adoptive daughter's ski suit, yet you couldn't bring yourself to spend a hundred thousand on getting your biological daughter a necklace? Your acting is as bad as this necklace, Madam Wellis."Fiona tensed up. "You've misunderstood, Heidi. I bought it at a jewelry store. It's expensive because it was handmade.""Is that so?" I smiled wryly. "How about you

  • An Outsider in My Own Family   Chapter 8

    I didn't want to waste my time on someone who didn't matter, but I forgot some people only learn when they were hit harder.The next day, Fiona stopped me just as I arrived at the company's entrance. She was holding a gift box in her hand. "I made your childhood favorite—hazelnut cake. You should try it and see if it still tastes the same."I fiddled with the string on the cake box, spinning it back and forth. "Must've been a lot of work, huh?"Fiona smiled sweetly, feigning her motherly love. "As long as you like it, any effort would be worth it."I said, "You really know how to demean yourself, Madam Fiona Wellis. If only you had the same attitude back when I first returned, we wouldn't have ended up like this."I then tossed the cake into the trash can. "Unfortunately, it's too late now. Your pretentious motherly love disgusts me."Fiona said, "I know you're upset that I brought Madeline to the ski trip and even gave your room away to her, Heidi. I was indeed wrong to do that,

Bab terbaru

  • An Outsider in My Own Family   Chapter 8

    I didn't want to waste my time on someone who didn't matter, but I forgot some people only learn when they were hit harder.The next day, Fiona stopped me just as I arrived at the company's entrance. She was holding a gift box in her hand. "I made your childhood favorite—hazelnut cake. You should try it and see if it still tastes the same."I fiddled with the string on the cake box, spinning it back and forth. "Must've been a lot of work, huh?"Fiona smiled sweetly, feigning her motherly love. "As long as you like it, any effort would be worth it."I said, "You really know how to demean yourself, Madam Fiona Wellis. If only you had the same attitude back when I first returned, we wouldn't have ended up like this."I then tossed the cake into the trash can. "Unfortunately, it's too late now. Your pretentious motherly love disgusts me."Fiona said, "I know you're upset that I brought Madeline to the ski trip and even gave your room away to her, Heidi. I was indeed wrong to do that,

  • An Outsider in My Own Family   Chapter 7

    Seeing things were about to fall apart, Jordan quickly stepped in. "Your mother is sorry for what she did. Didn't you buy a necklace for Heidi, honey? You should go ahead and put it on her.""Right!" Fiona dug out a box from her handbag. "I remember you had one just like this when you were younger, but it got lost along with you. I'm getting you another one now. I hope you can understand how much I care for you."The necklace was dull and poorly made—nothing like the one Grandma gave me when I was younger. I didn't know how she could even say they were the same.I knocked it to the floor and said, "You spent 470 thousand on your adoptive daughter's ski suit, yet you couldn't bring yourself to spend a hundred thousand on getting your biological daughter a necklace? Your acting is as bad as this necklace, Madam Wellis."Fiona tensed up. "You've misunderstood, Heidi. I bought it at a jewelry store. It's expensive because it was handmade.""Is that so?" I smiled wryly. "How about you

  • An Outsider in My Own Family   Chapter 6

    After enjoying myself for over 10 days, I got a call from an unknown number. "Heidi, after what you've done wrong, you still went and blocked all our numbers? Do you even consider me as your mother—"I pulled my phone away from my ears. "I'm hanging up!""Wait, I haven't finished talking to you! We've been back for five days now. Why aren't you back yet? Where are you?" Mom asked.I replied, "Didn't I tell you previously that I'm traveling around the world?""What do you mean you're traveling around the world? How much would that even cost?" Mom asked.She almost lost herself as she yelled, "Do you know we can't even afford to get water now? I've not showered for two days! The bank has been calling me to pay up, yet you're outside enjoying yourself. I don't care, get back here now!""I can't believe Madam Wellis could ever find herself in such a mess! Unfortunately, the cruise hasn't docked, so I'm not in a position to help out. How about you get Madeline to help you instead? Aft

  • An Outsider in My Own Family   Chapter 5

    The next time my family managed to contact me was at 11:00 pm. I had turned on my phone to deal with work.Mom's shrill voice came from the other end of the line as soon as the call was connected. "You've really gotten bold, Heidi. You even dared to turn off your phone to threaten us? We'd think you were dead if we couldn't get a hold of you still!""Is this what a mother should be saying? I'm driving alone, and I've been gone for so long without answering your calls. Not only were you not worried that I might be involved in an accident, you're even wishing for my death now?" I said.Mom replied, "What else could've happened to you? You canceled our dinner and blocked us—I think you're just trying to make us look bad because you're worried we might spend your money.""Oh, you're actually right—don't think of spending my money anymore from now onward!" I replied.Sensing that I was serious, Mom got scared and immediately softened her tone. "Stop messing around, Heidi. I know you fe

  • An Outsider in My Own Family   Chapter 4

    After they left, I immediately called my assistant, Linda Morrison, and asked her to help me take out the trash."Are you throwing all of these away, Ms. Lewis? Some of these things are still pretty new," she asked.I nodded nonchalantly and said, "I'll leave them to you. You can take whatever you like, and send the rest to the dumpster."After clearing out the eight suitcases, I had the company's legal team draw up a statement to sever ties with my family.I then booked a cabin on a luxury cruise and set off on my journey around the world.…Mom called me just as I was boarding the cruise. "Didn't you book a full-course seafood dinner, Heidi? Why can't they find any reservation information on the island?"I replied, "Oh, I forgot to tell you I canceled the dinner."Mom immediately erupted in anger. "Why did you cancel it? What are we going to eat then?"I looked at the seagulls soaring freely by the sea and casually replied, "That's not my problem.""Can you stop causing tro

  • An Outsider in My Own Family   Chapter 3

    Dad pulled a long face as he busied himself in the kitchen.By the time dinner was ready, Fable set up four sets of cutlery and sat Madeline down at my usual seat."There's none prepared for you," Dad said as he served her some spaghetti. "I only cook for my family. Someone who's petty and particular doesn't deserve to eat."I couldn't believe my ears. I was only defending myself, yet I somehow became the petty one.Perhaps what they wanted wasn't a daughter, but a scapegoat.I wasn't about to indulge him.I quickly helped myself to a plate of pasta and finished it off. Under their shocked gazes, I then gracefully wiped my mouth, took my keys, and headed for the door. "I've got things to do. Enjoy your meal, everyone."It would be foolish for me not to eat anything when I was the one who paid for everything.Just as I was about to reach the door, Mom came back to her senses. "Where are you going? We're departing tomorrow. How are we supposed to leave when you haven't packed up

  • An Outsider in My Own Family   Chapter 2

    Fable eagerly helped Madeline to bring in her large suitcase. He then gave her a hug and said, "I missed you so much, Madie! You're finally willing to come back!"Mom's anger completely vanished as she lovingly took Madeline's hand. "My dear girl, why must you make yourself suffer by staying outside? Just stay here from now onward. You're my daughter—no one can ever take away your place."Dad quickly nodded as he handed Madeline a glass of water. He then patted her shoulders, comforting her.They played out the scene of a perfect family of four before me, while I completely gave up on them.Madeline had enjoyed her 23 years as the Lewis family's adoptive daughter. However, when the Lewis family went bankrupt, she chose to go abroad without hesitation. For the past few years, everything they ate, wore, lived in, and spent came from my hard-earned money.Fable was only 13 when I returned. My parents didn't have the time or energy to look after him, and his grades were disastrous.

  • An Outsider in My Own Family   Chapter 1

    Having just finished off a big project, I had some time off. And since it was my birthday, our family decided to go skiing at the Isle of Loui.I started planning for the trip and picking out ski gear a month in advance.I had to manage everything myself since my parents and younger brother were not interested in handling the details.However, this was my first family trip since I got lost over 20 years ago and returned. Although exhausted, I found it worthwhile.The Isle of Loui was known for its four mountain slopes, stunning scenery, and state-of-the-art facilities.Their seven-star-ranked accommodations were often fully booked, with reservations hard to come by. As such, I made sure to book rooms for my entire family in advance.My brother, Fable Lewis, mentioned that his classmates would stay in the top-floor suites, where they could see the snow-capped mountains at first glance.I ended up using some of my savings to upgrade our rooms.The night before our departure, I ha

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