Chapter 3

Sarah glanced at the man as she lifted her glass. "Don't be ridiculous. He's Chris' brother after all."

I couldn't help but unlock my phone, staring at a photo of Sarah and me from our first year of junior high.

During that time, I could still cover my scar beneath my fringe, and my smile was bright.

And Sarah would still point at my math notebook and say, "Colin, you're better at math than anyone else."

But later, when she saw the scar and got closer to my talented stepbrother, she gradually stopped talking to me.

I was no longer the same confident, bold man. The Colin who yearned for acceptance had long since been killed off by a single remark from Mom, steeped in her favoritism, telling me I needed to understand her "difficulties".

I deleted the photo without batting an eye.

After eighth grade, Chris and I were both accepted into the city's top high school. The difference was that I got in as the top scorer, while Gavin used his connections to get Chris in.

Just one day before school reopened, Mom walked into my room with a few boxes. With a resolute tone, she instructed, "Colin, pack your things. Apply for on-campus housing tomorrow."

I froze. "It's just ten minutes away. Why should I do that?"

Mom frowned with impatience. "Chris is going to spend the next few years preparing for admission to an Ivy League school. He needs a quiet room to practice the piano and study. Your room gets the best sunlight, so give it to him. Besides, Gavin gets annoyed seeing you walk around the house every day with that scar on your face.

"Just stay on campus. I'll transfer your monthly expenses to you."

I clenched my fists, feeling my fingers dig into my palms. "But Dad left this house for us! This is my room!"

"Don't you dare use your father against me!" Mom snapped as she swept all my study materials into the box in one go. "You're living off the Dunn family, so what's wrong with giving up your room for Chris?

"Also, leave all the math notes you made in junior high for him. What's the point of you ranking first in your class? With that hideous scar, you'll never land a good job anyway.

"Chris is different. He has a bright future ahead of him. If you help him, you're helping me secure my footing in the Dunn family too. You can only have a good life if I do well."

I stared at the haughty expression on her face, feeling a deep sense of powerlessness. "Can he even understand my notes?"

Mom glared at me. "Teach him if he doesn't understand! Colin, I'm warning you. If he doesn't get into an Ivy League college, I won't be able to hold my head high in the Dunn family. If I suffer, you'll suffer too. Do you still want me to pay your tuition?"

With that, she left, slamming the door.

I was left alone in the room, filled with a profound sense of disappointment. That evening, I quietly packed my bags and cleared the room completely.

Gavin and Mom were in the living room, watching TV. When Mom saw me, she asked, "Are you done?"

"Mom, are you going to give both my room and notes to Chris?"

She froze before replying impatiently, "Yeah, Chris needs them. He has to study hard to get into an Ivy League college. As his older brother, you should help him."

Gavin nodded. "Chris is driven, and with you looking out for him, he's sure to succeed."

My heart sank little by little. "I stayed up late to compile those notes from start to finish."

"I know." Mom spoke with the same sense of entitlement as always. "But what's the point of you keeping them? Chris and Sarah are quite close now. With the Shaw family backing us, you'll live a good life too. Can't you see the bigger picture?"

I couldn't help but scoff. "Bigger picture, huh? Does that mean I'm supposed to hand over everything I own to Chris?"