Chapter 3

During my sophomore year, I won a gold medal at the National Physics Olympiad, earning a place in Stawford University's Summer Scholars Camp.

Chloe wanted to attend too, but her grades weren't good enough.

Mom tried to persuade me. "Clara, why don't you give your spot to Chloe? You'll have other opportunities in the future."

It was the first time I ever said no.

Xavier slammed his hand onto the table and yelled, "How can you be so selfish? Can't you see Chloe is crying?"

In the end, I went. But during those seven days away, not a single person from my family called me. When I came home, I discovered Chloe had accidentally broken my competition medal.

"I'm sorry, Clara. I just wanted to take a look, and it slipped out of my hands." She blinked innocently. "You'll win more of these in the future anyway, right?"

I said nothing. I simply gathered the shattered pieces and put them away in my drawer, as if I were storing the broken fragments of my heart.

Similar events happened countless times over the next three years. Every time, my family repeated the same excuses.

"Chloe didn't mean to do it."

"You're her sister. You should be more accommodating."

"You've been through hardship, so you're stronger. Chloe grew up spoiled. She's more sensitive."

Gradually, I came to understand that some things were never meant to be mine. Blood might have brought me back into this family, but 15 years of separation could never compete with 15 years of shared memories.

So, I threw myself into studying. I joined every academic competition. I won every award I possibly could. Because I knew this was my only way out.

Three months before the SAT, I was secretly contacted by an admissions officer from Stawford University. They had selected me for an early admission program. My place at the university was guaranteed.

I signed a confidentiality agreement. Even my guidance counselor didn't know.

When the acceptance letter arrived at school, I picked it up myself and locked it away in the deepest corner of my desk drawer.

I wanted to surprise them after the SAT exam was over. I thought, maybe then, they'd finally see me.

Looking back now, the idea was laughable.

They didn't care about me. Why would they care about an acceptance letter?

To comfort Chloe after her disappointing SAT score, the family hastily planned their vacation to Eroba. It wasn't until the day they were leaving that they suddenly realized they had forgotten to buy me a ticket.

Mom coughed lightly and said to me, "Stay home and keep an eye on the house. Don't touch anything. The housekeeper is on vacation, so you'll need to figure out meals yourself."

She didn't even ask whether I had any money.

Xavier tossed a stack of SAT prep books at me, telling me to get a head start on studying. Then, he walked out the door without another word.

I stood silently and watched their car disappear around the corner. Then, I turned and quickly headed toward the attic.

From a hidden compartment inside an old backpack, I pulled out an old flip phone. It was the only thing I'd brought with me when I was taken back by the Summers family.

They thought it was embarrassing and told me to throw it away. But I secretly kept it. For three years, I secretly charged it and hid it where no one would ever find it.

Using sheer memory, I dialed a number. A few seconds later, the call was connected.

"Hello. This is the Stawford Admissions Office. How may I help you?" a woman spoke in a warm voice.

I lowered my voice and said, "Hello. My name is Clara Summers. I'm calling to confirm the details of my early admission offer…"