Chapter 4

I contacted the admissions office and asked whether my SAT score would affect my admission.

She replied right away, “No. Even if you didn’t take the SAT, it would not affect your admission through our special admissions program.”

I breathed a sigh of relief.

At first, I had hoped to get into Sanford University. I thought it would be even better if I could. So I had kept the University of Tolonto as a backup.

But after everything that had happened, I could not believe I had ever thought that way.

My family had always used me to teach Yvette a lesson. They were willing to ruin my future just to push her to do better.

Thankfully, I still had this way out.

I had just checked my admission results in my email. I told the admissions office that I would attend the University of Tolonto.

Then Martin pushed open my bedroom door.

He glanced at my laptop screen and froze. “What are you doing?”

I quickly closed my laptop. “Nothing. What do you want?”

He had my favorite cake in his hand. He saw how cold I was toward him and sighed.

“Didn’t we agree that you would turn in a blank test? You wouldn’t be this upset if you had just listened to us, right?

“This is how we’ve raised you all these years. You should be used to it by now.”

I clenched my fist. My palm hurt.

I could never get used to it.

From the first time they left me alone on the street and let me cry until I could barely breathe, I had never accepted the way they treated me.

But I loved them.

I always thought that if I behaved better and was more obedient, they would love me the way they loved Yvette.

After everything that happened, I finally understood.

They did not need a reason to love Yvette. They did not need a reason to sacrifice me just to teach her a lesson, either.

I said nothing.

I did not even want to argue anymore. There was no point.

Martin mistook my silence for regret. He placed the cake in my hand.

“I bought this just for you. Yvette didn’t get one.

“You’re older than Yvette, so of course you have to make a few more sacrifices for her. You need to be the mature one.”

I had no choice but to take the cake.

I gave a mocking smile.

They thought a little cake could make up for ruining my future. It was ridiculous.

I threw the cake into the trash without another glance.

Martin froze before all the warmth disappeared from his face and his expression darkened with anger.

“You’re so ungrateful!”

He slammed the door shut. I stood there in silence for a few seconds. After that, I did not feel sad anymore.

From then on, my whole family gave me the silent treatment. They treated me as if I did not exist.

They took my chair away from the dining table, stopped making meals for me, and purposely left the house without telling me.

They kicked me out of the family group chat. Then they posted photos of their trips with Yvette all over social media.

My aunt left a comment under one of the photos.

[Where’s Natalie? I haven’t seen her.]

My mom replied directly. [We don’t have a daughter named Natalie.]

I saw the comment and liked it.

When they came home from their trip, they had gifts for everyone.

They even bought gifts for the security guard and the cleaners in our neighborhood.

But there was still nothing for me.

I stood to the side and watched them hand out the gifts. I felt completely calm.

I no longer cared about gifts, family, or their love.

All I wanted was for college to start so I could finally leave this place.

I was about to go back to my room when my mom called me.

“College starts tomorrow. You can’t stay home anymore. Go report to your uncle’s cement factory.”

She rolled her eyes.

“I’ve already talked to him. He’ll make sure you learn some discipline. Hopefully, you won’t disappoint me again.”

Martin added, “Every three days, send me an update about your life. I can use it to motivate Yvette. Understand?”

I did not argue.

I gave him a half-hearted “Okay.”

I was going to leave anyway. None of it mattered anymore.

The next morning, my parents and Martin got into the car with Yvette. Before Martin got in, he checked the time.

“Uncle Ryan should be here in about two hours to take you to the cement factory.

“Remember what I told you.”

My mom urged him impatiently, “Enough. Leave her alone. You’re wasting time.”

Then she slammed the door shut.

I watched them drive away before going back inside to pack my bags.

I went straight to the airport.

From that day onward, I would live for myself.