An Outsider in My Own Family

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 happily shared my travel plans when Mom suddenly said, "Madie heard that we're going skiing and wanted to come along. Since there are only three rooms in the suite, you should stay somewhere else. I've already paid for it."

She then sent me an electronic receipt.

Momentarily stunned, I asked, "What did you say, Mom? You're bringing Madeline along?"

"That's right." She nodded, as if it was obvious. "It's a family trip, of course we're bringing her."

I clenched my fists. "My adoptive mother wanted to come along too when she heard about our skiing trip, yet you refused to let her. You said that you wanted our family to be together and didn't want anyone else there. So why is it okay now that Madeline wanted to join us?"

"How can she compare to Madie?" Mom pursed her lips. "Although you're my biological daughter, Madie has been with us for 23 years. She'll always be family, and will forever be my daughter."

"Since you cherished her so much, why do you still want me back?" I asked.

"What's with your attitude?" Mom frowned and scolded me, displeased with my questioning. "There are no available rooms left on the island, so I had to give yours to Madie. Do you expect her to stay in the storage room?"

I was surprised to hear about the storage room. Then, I realized that what she sent wasn't a proper receipt but a handwritten note.

After receiving the money, an employee on the island agreed to put a bed in the storage room, which housed the ski gear. They allowed me to stay for a few nights there.

I asked, "So you're letting your biological daughter stay in a storage room just so your adoptive daughter can be comfortable?"

"Why are you being picky when you've been wandering outside for years? Sleeping in a storage room is better than sleeping under a bridge!" Mom replied.

I chuckled coldly, turning to look at Dad and Fable, who were sitting on the couch.

Fable looked away and mumbled unhappily, "Madie has been with us all the while. It's only natural for a family to stay together."

Dad adjusted his glasses and coaxed, "We've been providing the best for Madie all these years, she wouldn't be comfortable staying in a storage room.

"You've always been understanding, Heidi, surely you'd get it, right? I know it's unfair to you, but we'll celebrate your birthday properly once we get to the estate."

Why should I be the one backing off when Madeline was clearly the one stealing my identity? Must I suffer just because I was understanding?

I smiled mockingly. "I wonder who here is your actual family? People might've thought Madeline is your biological daughter and sister instead. I shouldn't have returned if I knew this was happening."

"I knew it—a child who wasn't raised by us would never see us as family." Mom started pointing fingers and scolding me as if she finally found a way to attack me.

She continued, "We're just asking for a room change, it's not like we're not bringing you along. And yet, you're saying such things—you really disappoint me, Heidi.

"Back then, Madie chose to go abroad just to let you experience a complete family. Even after she came back, she was worried you'd mind, so she dared not come back home and rented a place herself. But now, you're even refusing her a room? How could you be so selfish?"

At that moment, the doorbell rang. Fable hurried to open the door and smiled affectionately at Madeline Lewis, who was standing outside. "Dad, Mom, Madie is back!"