All Chapters of An Outsider in My Own Family: Chapter 1 - Chapter 8

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

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

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

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