7/7
Chapter Six
+ 5 Points
Chapter Six
My dear parents, they had clearly known about my relationship with Matt for a long time.
Yet, when Sarah and he showed up at our house, they still greeted them with warm smiles, accepted the gifts Matt brought, and eagerly offered them seats.
Meanwhile, I was sent out to buy groceries.
Although it wasn’t necessarily out of kindness that they asked me to do so, in order to avoid seeing and thus feeling annoyed, I silently accepted the money my mother handed over.
For that, I received an eye roll from her.
1/7
Chapter Six
+ 5 Points.
“Why are you always wearing a poker face all day? Your sister has a boyfriend now, and you can’t even be a little happy for her!”
Yes, Mom.
But that boyfriend happens to be my ex.
I refused to argue. In their eyes, arguing only made me ungrateful, disrespectful.
As soon as I stepped out, a shifty–looking man grabbed my arm.
I quickly shook him off, eyeing him warily.
To my surprise, after he caught sight of my face, he rolled his eyes in disgust and returned to squatting in the grass, looking up at the building.
Such was my life of rejection.
2/7
Chapter Six
+ 5 Points
After I returned with the groceries, that man had vanished without a trace. I still felt uneasy about the touch of his hands, and his face seemed oddly familiar, yet I couldn’t place where I had seen him.
Back home, my mother had prepared most of the dishes. When she saw me walk in, her previously warm expression shifted to one of irritation as she took the ingredients from my hands and retreated to the kitchen. I had no idea what I had done to provoke her.
Matt was playing chess with my father while Sarah sat beside them, watching with a smile. In the spacious room, I felt utterly alone.
Once my brother arrived, dinner was served. However, the dining setup was already arranged, with no extra chairs available.
3/7
Chapter Six
+ 5 Points
I patted my stomach, which had begun to grumble with hunger, and voluntarily withdrew from the table, retreating to my small, cramped bedroom.
My mother, ever so kind, served pieces of meat onto Matt’s and Sarah’s plates.
My father was in high spirits, having opened a bottle of wine he usually spared.
My brother leaned in, listening intently to Sarah’s chatter, his eyes filled with tenderness.
What a happy family they seemed.
I felt like a clown peeking at their joy, hiding in a dusty mouse hole, dreaming of finding my own happiness.
“I’m your biological daughter!”
4/7
Chapter Six
+ 5 Points
“This home belongs to me!”
I lay on my bed, covering my head with the blanket, allowing the noise outside my door to fade into silence.
My mother pushed open my door, her complaints spilling out.
“Honestly, how rude! A guest arrives, and you hide in your room–what will people think? That I gave birth to a mute who can’t even speak! Go to sleep, go to sleep! Let’s see how long you can sleep!”
Sarah timely ran over to my mother, offering her comfort.
“Okay, Mom, it’s not like my sister did it on purpose. She’s probably just feeling unwell and fell asleep. Please don’t wake her.”
5/7
Chapter Six
+5 Points
I didn’t even have to look to know she was smiling, her crescent–shaped eyes sparkling as she wrapped her arms around my mother’s, nuzzling her affectionately.
“Honestly! She must be upset about you and Matt! She’s just being petty. As your elder sister, why can’t she let her little sister be happy? What’s wrong with finding another man?!”
Sarah continued to soothe my mother softly.
The sheet beneath my head was already damp with tears.
Let her be. Let her be.
I had given her everything.
Mother, Father, Brother.
6/7
Chapter Six
+ 5 Points
Were you not satisfied yet?
Now, they happily drove toward Sarah and Matt’s wedding venue, yet whenever my name came up, their brows furrowed in discontent.
I had even thought that my presence, my blessing, was vital to you.
Would you feel sadness upon hearing news of my death?
Even a hint of it.
Chapter Seven
