Chapter 1

I thought fate had finally been fair to me for once.

However, that night, I walked past my parents’ bedroom and heard my mother talking to my sister.

“Why are you crying, silly girl? This blind box is something I made for your sister to draw on purpose.

“If she doesn’t have a legitimate reason to enroll in college, how else can we get that 50,000-dollar scholarship money and then have her take out a 180,000-dollar student loan?

“Once we get the money, I’ll immediately send you abroad for your studies. As for your sister? In a few days, we’ll just let her draw something that says, 'Drop Out and Work.' Then she’ll have no choice but to accept her fate!”

I froze outside the door, staring at the full scholarship acceptance notification that had just appeared on my phone. It was to a globally renowned institution.

They did not know that I was destined to go to college no matter what I drew from the blind box tonight. After leaving this time, I would never come back.

…

The moment I submitted my application to the university, Mom knocked on my door.

“Elena, come out. It’s your 18th birthday today and Avery's as well. I’m taking you girls out for a nice meal.”

Avery Hale stood behind her. The second she heard the word 'dinner', her eyes lit up.

“Yay! We’re having a feast tonight!” Then she paused and asked cautiously, “Mom, are we doing the blind box again?”

Mom smiled. “Of course. It’s our family tradition.”

Soon, two boxes were placed on the coffee table. Avery immediately picked the one on the right. The moment she unfolded the slip of paper, her eyes sparkled.

'Secret Edition: 1,688-dollar seafood buffet.'

When it was my turn, I reached into the box and pulled out a slip—'Fifty dollars or less—choose any takeout you want.'

The living room fell silent for a second.

I looked down at the paper in my hand. Strangely, I was not surprised at all.

Just then, our neighbor, Mrs. Warren, walked past the door carrying groceries. When she saw the slips on the table, she smiled and poked her head inside. “Oh, you’re doing your blind box thing again?”

After seeing what we had drawn, her smile slowly faded.

“The rewards are way too different, aren’t they? Mrs. Hale, both children are your daughters. They were even born on the same day. You can’t favor one over the other.”

Mom’s expression immediately turned awkward. She snatched the slip from my hand and crumpled it up.

“Oh, I didn’t think it through.”

Then she looked at me and softened her voice. “Elena, how about I change it? You can order anything under a hundred dollars. Whatever you want.”

Avery instantly wrapped her arms around mine. Her voice was sweet enough to make my teeth hurt.

“Elena, you're so lucky! You can order so much food for a hundred dollars! Fried chicken, noodles, and roasted pork. You can even get extra toppings!”

Mom frowned and gently tapped her forehead. “We don’t eat that kind of food. Your stomach is sensitive. What if you get sick?”

I lowered my eyes. Avery had always been a picky eater, and Mom cooked everything according to her preferences. I had stomach problems too. It was just that no one ever remembered that.

In the end, the three of them left together.

Before leaving, Mom specifically reminded me, “Order something yourself. Don’t go over a hundred dollars. Send me the payment link when you've decided.”

Avery wore her new dress and turned around at the doorway, waving at me. “Elena, I’ll take photos of the king crab and show you when I get back!”

The door closed, and the house instantly became quiet.

I closed the takeout app without ordering anything, then I walked back to my room and opened the cabinet at the bottom of my closet. Inside the cardboard box were all the blind box slips I had drawn over the years.

'Wash dishes for a week', 'Eat chicken wing tips', 'Use old backpack for another year', and 'Give your sister the birthday cake wish'.

The list went on and on. I used to truly believe I was just unlucky, so I just kept comforting myself that it would be different next time.

Then, on my 18th birthday, I finally drew 'The Right to Attend College'.

I thought fate had finally chosen me. However, I was wrong. That was not luck either. It was simply the excuse my parents needed to trade my future for a plane ticket for Avery.

I placed the slip I had just drawn, 'Fifty dollars or less—choose any takeout', on top of the pile and then closed the box.

Just as I finished, the doorbell rang. When I opened the door, my boyfriend, Rafael Torres, was standing there. He held a beautifully wrapped gift box in his hands. “Elena, happy birthday.”

He walked inside and placed the box on the table. Inside were two small blind boxes.

“I prepared graduation gifts for you and Avery.”

He glanced at the empty living room, then lowered his voice, acting as though he was giving me a special privilege. “Avery is still out eating. Pick yours first.”

I looked at the two blind boxes and casually picked up the one on the left. I unfolded the slip, and there were only two words written on it—'First Prize'