Chapter 2

Jillian grabbed her laptop and shot a glance at me. "Give me your exam admission ticket. I'll fill in your university application form for you. Tell me your password too. I'll change it. You don't need to do anything."

When I didn't budge an inch, Dad gave me a rough shove and snapped, "Stop being so stubborn. I get annoyed just looking at you!"

He then stormed to my room and grabbed my exam admission ticket.

Jillian logged into my account. "We'll only list Laville University on the form. The admissions director mentioned that she'll send your application to the universities that are listed."

She put on a gentle expression as she looked at Terence and asked, "Which major do you want to pursue, Terence?"

"An Esterion major sounds good. I like languages," Terence replied with a bright smile.

I scoffed upon hearing his words.

It was blatantly obvious that it was just an excuse. He was probably scared he would be exposed as a fraud on the first day if he picked a science or engineering major.

Terence's eyes immediately reddened. He looked incredibly upset as he asked, "Are you looking down on me, Marcus?"

Mom, Dad, and Jillian shot me dirty looks and shielded Terence from my view. My heart sank, but I didn't say a single word.

Jillian swiftly comforted Terence, saying, "He wouldn't dare. An Esterion major is good. Let's go with that."

"Alright. Thank you, Jillian!"

I looked down to hide how the light in my eyes dimmed. It was true that I didn't dare look down on Terence. After all, they punished me every time I made him upset when we were kids.

Sometimes, they would starve me for an entire day. Sometimes, they locked me in a dark room. Sometimes, they forced me to kneel in the snow, forbidding me from getting up even after my entire body was frozen stiff. Sometimes, they would strike me.

I was always the one at fault whenever Terence was upset.

Jillian closed her laptop, then looked at me. Her tone made it clear there would be no room for compromise as she barked her orders. "I've already taken charge of your account. You can pursue any major you want in community college. Just remember that Terence has taken your place."

I clenched my fists and nodded, taking a deep breath to keep my emotions in check.

It didn't matter. It was impossible for Terence to enroll in Laville University even after she sent the university application form.

They seemed to be pleased by my reaction. Dad approached me and patted my shoulder, saying, "That's more like it, Marcus. I'll tell your mother to make barbecue ribs tonight to reward you."

I let out a slightly mocking laugh. "Okay. Thanks, Dad."

He couldn't even remember that I was severely allergic to barbecue sauce.

Jillian also showed no reaction when I looked at her even though she was the one who carried me on her back to the hospital when I accidentally ate some barbecue sauce when I was five.

…

The next day, Mom, Dad, and Jillian threw an extravagant party to celebrate Terence's acceptance into Laville University.

Mom's smile was especially bright as she raised her glass into the air and said, "Terence has always been weak and sickly since he was a child. But in the end, he's the most successful one in our family! Everyone is welcome to explore the campus once he officially enrolls in Laville University."

"Thank you for watching over me, everyone," Terence added with a smile. "Please feel free to visit me at Laville University whenever you drop by Basillion in the future."

My relatives cheered and clapped, their words of praise making Terence and the others float on cloud nine.

Meanwhile, Jillian ordered me to stay put in a corner before the party started. She also gave me a stern warning to keep my mouth shut.

Just then, my phone chimed. I had received a message from Dean.

"Your academic records have been sent to Grendill University, Marcus. Which major do you want to enroll in?"

"Artificial intelligence engineering," I answered without any hesitation.

Grendill University's AI engineering program was better than Laville University's.

"Alright. I've informed them of your decision."

I breathed a sigh of relief. A few seconds later, I received a call from Laville University's director of admissions. Only then did I remember that I had left my number on the university application form.

"I see that you've been accepted into Grendill University, Marcus. Congratulations. Are you sure that you won't reconsider enrolling with us instead?"

I glanced at the rest of the Hawkins family who were having a great time celebrating Terence's "success". "No. But please keep it a secret that I'm enrolling in Grendill University."

The director was briefly stunned before he said, "Of course. We won't reveal your decision without your consent."

I turned around, scoffing as I stared at the banner with the words "Congratulations on Getting Accepted into Laville University" printed on it.

My life was my own. Terence and the others no longer had a right to interfere.