Chapter 2

When I arrived at the airport, Evan was waiting by the entrance.

He took my suitcase and started walking inside, explaining as we went. "I booked the ride, and the driver was pressing us to go, so we headed off first. Don't hold it against your parents.

"We're on vacation. Cheer up."

I looked up at his profile.

The tiny black mole on his jawline was something I had stared at 100 times back when he used to tutor me.

He looked as familiar as ever, yet felt oddly like a stranger.

We crossed the jet bridge and stepped onto the plane, where my eyes immediately locked with Alia's in the first row of business class.

Behind her sat Mom, Dad, and Trevon. The whole family was complete and together.

I froze. My assigned seat was in economy, separated by a single curtain.

Alia blinked, tears welling in her eyes. "I saw there was still one seat left in economy and thought we could save a little money. Yelena, if you mind, I can swap with you."

Before the words fully left her mouth, Trevon stood up. "You stay put. I'll swap with her."

His tone was gentle with her, but the expression on his face was purely exasperated.

The words were meant for Alia, but the attitude was directed at me.

As I stood there numbly, Mom lost her patience. "A seat is a seat. Why do you have to be so picky about everything?"

It felt as if someone had hammered a hole into my heart, letting bitterness seep out.

I didn't know when I had become the selfish, unforgiving one in their eyes.

In reality, I had given up everything—the sunlit bedroom, the pretty dresses, the expensive after-school classes, and my family's affection.

Maybe what they really wanted was for me to surrender my place in this family entirely.

I gripped my boarding pass tight and let out a self-deprecating chuckle. "Nobody needs to move. I'll sit in the back."

The moment I sat down, the announcement came that we were preparing for taxiing.

I put in my earbuds, getting ready to listen to music.

Just before turning on airplane mode, a message popped up from Evan. "Don't blame Alia. She was just trying to save money. Once we reach cruising altitude, I'll help you upgrade."

Just as I was about to text back a refusal, a flight attendant walked up and gently reminded me to put my phone away.

Under the judgmental gaze of the passenger beside me, I quickly switched to airplane mode and offered a sheepish smile. "Sorry about that."

Once we hit cruising altitude, the cabin crew began rolling out the meal carts, and the curtain separating business class was temporarily pulled back.

I leaned forward, anxiously scanning ahead out of fear that Evan might actually try to upgrade my seat, only to see Alia resting her head on his shoulder.

The sight made my eyes sting until the curtains were drawn again, cutting off the view.

Clearly, he had forgotten about upgrading me, just as he had forgotten his promise to always choose me.

After landing, we grabbed a cab to the hotel. My quiet silence stood in stark contrast to Alia's lively giggles.

Dad finally snapped. He shook his head in deep disappointment. "Yelena Holden, what on earth is with this attitude? Who upset you now? You need to learn from Alia. Try being cheerful and sensible for once, instead of so narrow-minded.

"If Evan hadn't been shielding you all this time, literally no one would like you. Do you realize that?"

The words cut too deep. I froze in my tracks, and tears instantly welled up in my eyes.

Evan instinctively took a step toward me, but Trevon yanked him back. "Dad's right. Evan, you really need to stop spoiling her."

Mom shot me a cold glare, wrapped her arm through Alia's, and walked away.

Their figures vanished into the hotel lobby, leaving me standing alone in the blazing sun, shivering.

Those words coiled around my heart like venomous snakes, gnawing it to shreds.

Countless times in the past, I had consoled myself that they only treated Alia that way out of pity for her losing her family, never meaning to hurt me.

Only now did I realize what a giant joke I was.

The truth was simple; they just didn't like me.

Fine. If that was the case, I wouldn't care about any of them either.