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Marcus had only read the first page, but he could already see the timid girl who had slowly emerged from her shell under her brother's protection.

I couldn't help but feel heartbroken.

Back then, I was still Garrett Blackwood's precious little sister.

Not the despised rat that everyone wanted to destroy.

Back then, I thought I finally had family who would stand by me through thick and thin. I could enjoy the warmth of loved ones.

Garrett fell silent for a long moment.

He seemed to remember the day he found me, recalling all the moments we'd shared together.

In that instant, he suddenly felt terrible. The sister he'd sworn to protect—how had things turned out this way?

Sophia's face turned ashen.

She quickly grabbed Garrett's arm, tears welling up in her eyes again.

"Garrett, it's all my fault. If it weren't for me, sister Aria wouldn't have been forced to move out. If she'd kept living with us, she wouldn't have died."

"You two had such a good relationship, and I ruined it all..."

"I killed sister Aria. It's all my fault."

Hearing the crying beside him, Garrett's expression instantly turned cold.

The nostalgia that had filled him moments before transformed into disgust.

He tenderly pulled Sophia into his embrace.

"Sophia, how could this be your fault?"

"If it weren't for Aria, you wouldn't have been hurt. You wouldn't have lost... our child."

"Kicking her out was already me being merciful. This is all because of her endless greed."

When he mentioned this, Garrett's fists clenched so tight that veins bulged.

The pain brought him back to reality. He kissed Sophia's forehead: "She destroyed our flesh and blood. She doesn't deserve to be my sister."

The adoptive parents, who had never felt much for me anyway, now comforted Sophia.

"Sophia dear, we took her in years ago to give you a companion. We never imagined she'd be such an ungrateful wolf. She hurt you so many times out of jealousy, and you still defend her. You're too kind."

"She's gone now. Don't keep dwelling on this. Living your own life well is what matters most."

The parents watched the news report with gritted teeth.

Their family was happy and harmonious, while I had always been an outsider disrupting their peace.

Marcus turned to the second page of the diary.

August 15th, 2013

On the night of the Pack Unity Festival, I came home to find Sophia clinging to brother and acting cute.

I felt a familiar dread. Here it was again. She'd always been able to effortlessly take away everything I cared about.

My parents' affection, the stuffed animals I'd cherished for years, teachers' and classmates' favoritism...

Now it was my brother's turn?

When brother saw me return, he told me to come listen to Sophia talk about her study abroad experiences. Brother's attention was completely captured by Sophia. He didn't even glance at me once. My heart ached.

My adoptive parents, who were always cold and distant with me, now looked at Sophia with adoration as she spoke animatedly. They kept responding and praising her excellence to my brother. When they noticed my silence, they told me not to be petty—we were all family.

Brother said he would treat both his sisters equally from now on.

I nodded numbly, letting Sophia enthusiastically lean against me and grab my arm. She said she envied me for having a brother who appeared out of nowhere, and that she was thrilled to finally have a sister. She liked me so much and wanted to sleep in my room that night.

In the middle of the night, I was awakened by her screams. The bed was covered in blood. I got up to see her clutching her arm as blood kept pouring out.

Before I could understand what was happening, my adoptive mother burst into the room and shoved me to the ground. They all called me vicious for hurting my own sister.

Looking at the bloodied silver letter opener beside me and brother's disappointed eyes, I panicked.

I hadn't done anything at all!