Chapter 1

Grendill University's director of admissions, Dean Whetten, was briefly stunned before a smile broke across his face.

"Really?" he exclaimed. "That's wonderful news, Marcus! We promise to give you a full scholarship, waive the school fees for four years, let you pick any major you want, and assign you to a single dorm. We'll also give you a 1,000 square feet apartment and secure a job for you after you graduate."

I thanked Dean before hanging up. I was the only one left in the house.

Just then, my phone vibrated. My sister, Jillian Hawkins, sent a message in the family group chat with over 100 members.

"Congratulations to my dear Terence for scoring 700 points on this year's college entrance exams. He'll be enrolling in Laville University in September!"

Countless messages flooded the group chat to congratulate Terence.

"Terence is amazing. My kid only got into a second-rate university."

"Terence is truly bringing glory to the Hawkins family!"

"What about Marcus?" someone asked. "How did he do?"

I typed out a message and was just about to send it when a notification popped up on my screen.

"The administrator of the group, 'Jillian', has banned you from sending messages."

"Marcus? He only scored 200 points," Jillian answered. "He barely got into the local community college. He's just a useless piece of trash. You don't need to waste your time on him."

I barked out a self-deprecating and bitter laugh.

Mom and Dad were also gloating in the group chat.

"Oh, that's right. Those who are interested in visiting Laville University can tag along with us on Terence's registration day."

"Me! I want to go!"

"Me too. Count me in."

My heart sank into my gut as I turned off my phone.

Mom, Dad, and Jillian forbade me from being better than Terence ever since I was a child. They also never mentioned my results to anyone. Jillian would even tear my award certificates to shreds.

"These things aren't allowed at home!" she would warn me, her words dripping with disdain.

On the other hand, she framed Terence's certificate from a minor sports event and displayed it in the middle of the living room.

From an outsider's perspective, I was a useless piece of trash. That was why no one questioned it when Jillian claimed that I only scored 200 points.

I returned to my small and cramped room and pulled out a metal box. I had secretly collected the torn pieces of my award certificates and stored them inside.

Terence had a weak constitution and was constantly riddled with illnesses since he was a child. It was why Mom and Dad always favored him. But Jillian would still secretly buy candy for me, saying, "You're really amazing too, Marcus. I'll reward you."

However, everything changed when I was eight. Terence's health suddenly took a turn for the worse, and he nearly lost his life. From that moment on, I lost the only person in our family who loved me as Jillian also took Terence's side.

"You owe it to him!"

I had heard those words my entire life. I had to give Terence all my belongings, from my room to my college entrance exam results.

Just then, a car engine roared from beyond the window.

I peered through the tiny window. Mom and Dad led the way, carrying dozens of bags of different sizes. Jillian and Terence trailed behind them. She ruffled his hair with her right hand while holding his favorite basketball in her left.

I pursed my lips. Wanting to stand up for myself one last time, I headed downstairs.

"Mom, Dad, Jillian, I want to attend Laville University. Those are my results. I refuse to let Terence have them!"

They stopped mid-step at the same time. Mom's expression darkened as she said, "Say that again."

I took a deep breath. "I said that I refuse to—"

I was interrupted when the crisp sound of a slap echoed across the room. Pain exploded across my face in an instant. I staggered to the floor. My eyes reddened as I pressed a hand to my cheek.

"How dare you?" Mom roared furiously. "You're totally out of control!"

Jillian held Terence protectively as they walked past me. She shot me a disdainful look and said, "You're too immature, Marcus."

"Stop it, Mom, Dad, Jillian. I just won't go to Laville University anymore. Those aren't my results. I don't want them anymore!"

Jillian frowned.

"What are you saying?" she asked in a softened tone. "Marcus owes you. You don't have to worry about anything and just attend Laville University. Lots of our relatives are going to show up on your registration day."

I stared at them in a daze before barking out a miserable laugh. I would never yearn for their love ever again.