Chapter 3

Evelyn called the school to ask for sick leave for Edith.

She asked the teacher repeatedly if missing school would affect Edith's studies and brought a flow of supplements to the hospital, worried Edith might fall behind in her senior year.

I belatedly realized there were always signs of Evelyn disliking me.

My grandma on my mother's side raised me for over ten years. Later, she told Evelyn she could no longer support me because high school was too expensive. She hoped Evelyn would take me to live in the city.

Evelyn simply told my grandma to send me off to work, claiming that girls didn't need much education. Turning around, she treated Edith completely differently.

Evelyn knew the importance of education for girls. Her lack of education was the very reason why Edith's grandfather had rejected her.

But when it came to me, she believed girls didn't need to study and should work to support the family.

My grandmother on my father's side, Melissa Newbury, had stepped in, claiming she would take me in. Only then had Evelyn reluctantly brought me to her house.

I had been overjoyed, thinking Evelyn still cared for me. But now, I understood why.

Melissa Newbury was wealthy. If I went to live with her, I would have had a better life than Edith.

Evelyn couldn't stand it, so she kept me close.

After I was taken back, I wasn't sent to the same high school as Edith. Instead, they sent me to a boarding school.

The school was run down. Its teaching quality was worse than my rural school. Still, I was grateful that Evelyn let me attend high school.

Then one day, someone cornered me in the bathroom. They pushed my head into a dirty pool.

I cried and called Evelyn. When she picked up and heard my voice, she hung up immediately.

When I called again, the line was busy. I had no choice but to call my dad for help. He was always busy with work and rarely had time for me.

When he got my call, he learned for the first time that I had been sent to a boarding school. He picked me up from school and had his first argument with Evelyn.

Conrad Newbury accused, "Do you know that's the worst high school in Cuidiff? Sending Opal there is like throwing her into a pit. You told me not to interfere. You said you'd arrange everything. Is this your arrangement?"

Evelyn, who was used to his mild temper, started crying and yelling, "I didn't know the school was so bad. Besides, Opal's grades are so poor. Which school would accept her?"

At that moment, there was still someone's filth in my hair. I stood there awkwardly, not knowing what to do.

Edith looked sad. She grabbed Conrad with one hand and Evelyn with the other.

She placed their hands together and sobbed, "Dad, Mom, don't fight. I'm scared."

Then she threw herself into Conrad's arms and pointed at me. "I don't want a sister. Every time she comes, you and Mom fight. You guys always get long. It's all her fault. I hate her."

Conrad softened, while Evelyn turned her anger on me. "It's all your fault. What's wrong with you? Can't you handle bullies? Edith would never be like you. You're so sensitive, always stirring up trouble. You can't stand seeing your dad and me happy."

Conrad pulled her into his arms and comforted her, "It's okay. Don't be mad."

The three of them hugged each other like a loving family. I stood awkwardly on the sidelines like an outsider.

That night, I curled up on my bed, blaming myself for not enduring it a little longer and disturbing the family's harmony.