The Sip That Stole My Life

"Annie, look at you. You've been so busy handing out milkshakes that you haven't even had a sip yourself! Go on, have a sip." I took the milkshake from my roommate's hand and brought the straw up to her lips.

"No, Sienna, you should drink it. I bought this to welcome you, after all." Annie Redwood waved her hands quickly, pushing the milkshake back toward me. However, I saw how her eyes lingered on my lips, unable to hide the anticipation as she waited for me to take a sip.

That was exactly how it had happened in my previous life.

I had taken the milkshake Annie handed me without a second thought.

The very next second, my mom, who had been about to give me a one-million allowance, suddenly turned and handed the card to Annie instead. "You must be Sienna's roommate. This card has her living expenses on it. You take it. From now on, you and Sienna can use it together."

I had stared in shock as my mom even told Annie the password before I could stop her.

Then, my brother, Sylvan Gavell, pulled out the keys to a brand-new car and held them out toward Annie. It had been my reward for getting into college. He'd kept it hidden all summer, saving it for the first day of school so he could surprise me.

Yet, he was now handing it over to her.

"It's much easier if you two have a car when you go out. I just heard you say you got your driver's license, so this car is yours. I'll transfer the ownership of the car to you later."

Annie hadn't even said a word, but Sylvan had already decided the fate of my car.

"Mom, Sylvan, weren't these supposed to be for me?" I had rushed forward, completely bewildered. Alas, my attempts to stop them were received with harsh reprimands.

"Sienna, you need to learn how to share nice things. You insisted on staying in the dorm, didn't you? Wasn't that so you could build good relationships with your classmates? Annie already gave you a milkshake. So, shouldn't you give something in return? That's just basic courtesy."

I understood what they meant by returning a favor, but this was way beyond that.

I tried to stop them again, but this time they shoved me aside. They even asked Annie if there was anything else she wanted, so they could buy it along with the car transfer.

From that moment on, they blindly indulged her every demand. It got so bad that they eventually drained the family's savings and let the company fall to ruin just to satisfy Annie's whims.

It wasn't until my final moments that I learned the truth, that our misfortune had all started with that milkshake.

This time, there was no way I was going to let her succeed.