Chapter 2

I wanted a home where I could be myself without any pretenses. I wanted somewhere I would not have to walk on eggshells around other people.

Reality struck me square in the face.

Some people were simply born with a safety net.

They could earn a low salary or even fail to make money because their parents would always have their backs.

In my case, no matter how hard I tried, I could not even get a fair start.

I took a deep breath, picked up my phone, and sent a message.

[Mr. Jenkins, I’m willing to take on that overseas project you mentioned.]

...

By the time I returned home, it was already the early hours of the morning.

To my surprise, the living room lights were still on. My parents were sitting rigidly on the couch. They even had dark expressions on their faces.

Daphne was nestled close to our mother. Her eyes were red and puffy, as if she had just been crying.

My father was the first to speak.

He said harshly, “Oh, so you finally decided to come home?”

I wearily slipped off my high heels. My ankles were painfully swollen.

Even so, I patiently explained, “I had a work function. The client was a nightmare. I couldn’t get out of it.”

“A work function? All you ever do is go out and party. What kind of behavior is that for a young woman?”

My mother patted Daphne’s back soothingly. When she turned to me, her demeanor shifted. She looked at me hostilely.

“Look at Daffie. The minute she has free time, she’s here with us. But you? Coming home in the dead of night. Disturbing our rest is one thing, but tomorrow is Daffie’s birthday party. How do you expect us to prepare properly with you carrying on like this?”

I stood there, stunned. The alcohol had dulled my thoughts, but I could clearly feel the ache in my heart.

“I was out there working...” I tried to explain.

“Working? You call drinking with men ‘work’?”

My father slammed his hand on the table as he shot to his feet.

“Do you have any idea how upset Daffie is today? She posted something really important on Instagram, and you, her own sister, couldn’t even hit the ‘like’ button? Are you jealous of her?”

Daphne looked up at me. Her eyes glistened with tears.

“Sis, I know you’re busy. But I was honestly so happy about getting the apartment today. I just wanted to share that with my family. Do you... not approve of me buying a place of my own?”

I was struck by her sheer absurdity.

I murmured, “I’ve just been really swamped—”

My mother scoffed. “Too swamped to take two seconds to tap the ‘like’ button?

“You’ve always been like this. Ever since you were little, you couldn’t stand seeing your sister happy.”

Her words hit me like a ton of bricks.

Long-buried memories came flooding back.

In middle school, I came first in the entire grade. My parents completely missed my parent-teacher conference because Daphne had taken a minor tumble.

They did not attend my high school graduation ceremony. They had been busy accompanying Daphne on a shopping trip for a new dress.

Every birthday, I received nothing more than a simple cake. Meanwhile, Daphne’s birthdays were always lavish, over-the-top celebrations.

“I couldn’t stand to see her happy?” I repeated. My voice began to tremble.

“Then why did I pinch pennies to buy her the latest smartphone?

“Then why did I send her money the second she said she was short every single time?

“Then why did I hop on an overnight train the moment I heard she was sick to take care of her?”

The more I spoke, the more agitated I became. The grievances I had suppressed for so many years finally burst through the dam.

“Have you ever stopped to think why Daphne gets to be around you all the time?

“It’s because she doesn’t have to work her fingers to the bone just to survive. She’s got a house with her name on it, and that’s her safety net.

“And me? I’m grinding myself into the ground in this city, and I can’t even afford a broom closet!”

Hearing my words, my father nodded knowingly. His expression suggested he had expected this all along.

“There it is. There’s the truth. It’s finally out.” He raised his voice and said, “You’re just jealous we bought Daffie a house!

“You’re capable. You could make it on your own. Shouldn’t an older sister know how to share?”

I laughed, but tears streamed down my face uncontrollably.

“I’ve been sharing for over twenty years! I shared my childhood, I shared my youth, and now I’m supposed to give up the love and fairness I actually deserve?”