Chapter 2 - A Family That Was Never Mine

Naomi’s POV

“You and Lily really are a perfect match.” Mom walked into the room with a smile, and seeing how close the two of them were, she didn’t show the slightest hint of unease.

Seeing this, Adrian and Lily shifted slightly back, putting some distance between them.

Dad chimed in right after, his tone dripping with contempt: “Naomi’s just a country girl, dull and taciturn. She’s no match for you. If she hadn’t climbed into your bed back then and forced you to marry her, she’d never have gotten any of what she has today.”

Mom immediately jumped to Lily’s defense: “You were far too lenient with Naomi back then. When she did what she did, you went out of your way to protect her reputation. If it had been anyone else, they would have been ruined long ago.”

Adrian remained silent, deliberately avoiding the subject. After exchanging a few brief words, he turned and walked out of the house, driving off into the deep night.

All these years, if it weren’t for my parents’ constant tacit approval and indulgence, how could Adrian have continued to favor and spoil Lily so brazenly even after marrying me?

After Adrian left, Mom and Dad gathered around Lily. And my soul was forced to watch as my parents showered Lily with affection. Mom promised to throw a grand party once Lily recovered. Even though Lily hadn’t gotten into college, Dad had already pulled out his life savings to help her start a company, doing everything in his power to pave the way for her future. Chewing her gum, Lily muttered smugly under her breath, “Mom and Dad are all mine now, Naomi. You’ll always be under my thumb!”

Many years ago, a mix-up occurred at the hospital. Two baby girls were accidentally switched.

Lily, the child who was mistakenly identified, was brought into this house and raised in comfort, security, and love. As for me, the real daughter, I was sent away and raised in the countryside.

It wasn’t until I turned eighteen that the truth came to light. That year, they found me and brought me back.

I still remember standing at the doorway on the very first day I moved into this house. My heart was filled with hope; I thought I had finally come home, but that wasn’t the case.

As I watch their happiness from the sidelines, they finally seem like a family.

I feel like I'm the odd one out.

Whenever there’s something I like, Mom always gives it to Lily.

Take this moment, for example: Mom is turning my room into Lily’s walk-in closet, and I wasn’t even consulted. “Won’t my sister mind?” Lily asked thoughtfully.

A hint of hesitation flashed across Mom’s eyes, then she said, “Naomi should be sensible. She was able to go to college and graduate school—don’t forget we paid for it all. She needs to be grateful and take good care of her younger sister.”

Just like three years ago, when Lily needed a blood transfusion, the whole family volunteered to be tested for compatibility.

I’ve always been the most inconspicuous member of this family, but on the day the blood type matching results came back, Mom and Dad, unlike usual, didn't stay at the hospital with Lily; instead, they stayed home and cooked me a hearty dinner.

I’ve never been treated like this before in my life; I was actually a bit overwhelmed by the attention.

But no one remembered that I'm allergic to chocolate.

Mom said soothingly, “Lily’s blood test results are in. You can save her.”

I stared at the chocolate bar, then suddenly looked up at the three people in front of me: “Do you guys remember that I’m allergic to chocolate?”

Dad slammed his knife and fork down on the table. “Naomi, your little sister is about to die, and you’re worrying about your own allergy?”

That night, Mom knelt down and begged me, while Dad glared at me with hatred in his eyes.

I smiled. “Mom, I can donate blood for three years. After that, can we stop me from giving her my stuff?”

Mom agreed, and the three of them finally breathed a sigh of relief, but the balance kept tipping in Lily’s favor time and again.

When my father noticed I wasn’t in my room, he casually asked my mother when she had last seen me. My mother hesitated. “A few days ago… after she had a fight with Adrian.” It wasn’t until then that they realized I had actually been missing for several days.

My phone just wouldn't connect, so Dad instinctively frowned and hung up impatiently.

“Don’t worry about her,” he said coldly. “She’s probably already gone back to Adrian. Just cancel her card. I’d like to see how long she can last out there.”

My husband thought I had gone back to my parents' house on my own, while my parents were convinced that my disappearance meant I had simply gone back to my husband.

The two groups were each set on their own views; they had never truly cared about my situation, so naturally they failed to notice the inconsistencies and oddities in it all.

“She’s just trying to get our attention! Our little girl is already sick, and she’s still trying to get attention by pretending to be missing?!” A look of obvious impatience flashed across Mom’s face.

“Doesn’t she know how frail Lily is, that she’s hanging by a thread? Why on earth did she have to go missing just when Lily desperately needed a blood transfusion!”

Lily however, feigned tenderness and said, “Mom, don’t say that. If Naomi hears you, she’ll be heartbroken.” She acted as considerate and sensible as ever, but the smugness in her eyes was impossible to hide.

Mom is only a loving mother when she’s with Lily. When she’s with me, all she does is pressure me to be responsible and take care of Lily. She never has anything else to say to me. Even when I got accepted into a prestigious university, she merely glanced indifferently at my acceptance letter—simply because Lily’s grades weren’t good enough for her to go to college.

She was afraid I might upset Lily.

It's okay, I'm used to it.

I’ve told myself countless times that one day, I’ll find a man who loves and trusts me with all his heart. I long so much to experience what it feels like to be cherished and adored.

But even Adrian, as days went by, began to favor Lily more and more.

“Lily, finish your soup, then go get ready for the blood transfusion.”

Mom stood by her side with a gentle expression, feeding her soup. 

As usual, Adrian came to visit Lily early after work. 

Dad and the family doctor hooked Lily up to the IV machine to prepare for the blood transfusion.

Then dad said, “After we take care of Lily, let’s go ask Naomi’s friends. Don’t think we only care about Lily, we’re concerned about Naomi’s whereabouts, too.” They never knew that I didn’t have any friends in New York at all; I only had them.

Mom gave a forced smile; her words seemed directed at outsiders: “Once Lily gets better, we’ll throw Naomi a proper birthday party, with the whole family there to celebrate with her.” 

Just then, Lily appeared to be overcome by a sudden surge of pain; she let out a piercing scream and then spat out a gush of blood: “Mom, there’s something wrong with this blood bag!”