Chapter 2

After dinner, my parents brought out two suits they had prepared for Marvin and me.

"Your dad and I spent a long time picking these out. You can wear them to your graduation party. Go try them on," Mom said.

Marvin smoothly took the paper bag with the luxury brand logo and kissed Mom on the cheek. "Thanks, Mom!"

I could only take the cheap plastic bag and calmly said, "Thanks, Mom."

Five minutes later, Marvin and I came out of our rooms in our new suits. Everyone's eyes immediately fell on my adopted brother.

Evelyn's eyes lit up, and her cheeks instantly turned red. "Marvin, you look so handsome in this."

Marvin couldn't hide the smile on his face, but he still tried to sound modest. "Mom, Dad, you really didn't have to spend so much. I would've been fine wearing off-the-rack clothes like Chris. It's not like anyone could tell the difference."

The atmosphere in the living room suddenly turned awkward.

I stood there in a suit that didn't quite fit, the rough fabric scratching against my skin and making me uncomfortable.

Mom cleared her throat and said, "Off-the-rack clothes can be expensive too. This one costs 80 dollars! Besides, it's just for one occasion. There's no need to waste money."

Yet, I could clearly see the price tag on Marvin's suit. It was over 3,000 dollars.

As always, Evelyn stepped in to smooth things over. "Chris, Marvin is the younger one. Let him have this one. Yours looks good on you too."

My parents immediately agreed.

"Yeah, you can wear it after Marvin's done with it. That way, it won't go to waste," Mom said.

Growing up, I only ever wore Marvin's hand-me-downs. Whenever I complained, my parents just brushed it off by saying, "You look good in anything." In reality, those ill-fitting clothes were always so tight that I could barely breathe.

Watching Marvin in his new suit, my parents couldn't stop praising him.

"Marvin's tall and well-built. This suit looks perfect on him."

Standing beside him, I felt as though I were wearing rags.

Marvin laughed. "Come on, Mom, Dad. Say something nice about Chris too, or he'll get jealous."

My father, Roger Needham, fell silent for a moment before finally saying, "Chris has always been so understanding."

Being "understanding" was the only compliment they ever had for me.

That night, as Evelyn was leaving, she turned back and reminded me, "Pack us some lunches for tomorrow's graduation ceremony. Marvin doesn't like takeout."

Then, she walked away without waiting for a response. She had gotten used to treating me like Marvin's lackey.

Marvin got to spend his days on the basketball court, while I was expected to cook, wash dishes, and put up with people joking that I was nothing more than a lackey.

And all I ever got in return was a casual "You're so understanding".

I went back to my room and started packing my things.

Winters at Harburt University were colder than at Solridge University, so I threw the thin secondhand clothes out of my suitcase and packed warmer clothes instead.

I didn't want to come back to this home again.