Semua Bab This Time, I'm the One Leaving First: Bab 1 - Bab 9

I stepped out of the bathroom, shivering from head to toe.I had forced myself to take a cold shower. If I came down with a fever tomorrow, I'd have an excuse to skip the family portrait.I looked at my decade-younger reflection in the mirror, then at the project proposal I had once abandoned sitting on my desk. My eyes hardened with resolve.In my previous life, my adoptive sister, Simone Graham, had booked a famous photographer she found online to take a family portrait.It was the first time I had ever taken a family photo with the Grahams since they had welcomed me back into the family.I'd looked forward to it for weeks. I'd even worn the most expensive dress I'd brought from the orphanage—one that I'd always been reluctant to touch.But when we got the photos back, I had been cleanly photoshopped out of the corner.It was all because Simone had casually said, "Felicia's vibe doesn't really match the rest of the family. The photo looks kind of weird with her in it."Back t

The happiness on Simone's face was blinding.I knew she was doing it on purpose.Just like countless times before, she would use an innocent tone to push me to the edge and make me lose control.Then, she would tilt her head and ask, "Felicia, are you throwing a tantrum?"I had endured her cruelty time and time again in my previous life.Everyone thought I was overreacting. They thought I was petty and difficult.Only I knew the truth. All I ever wanted from the start was fairness.But now, it didn't matter anymore.I calmly took the family portrait and gave a sincere smile. "It does look nice."Simone's smile froze.Riley was surprised by my reaction. She had expected me to get angry and had probably even prepared a lecture about how immature I was.Now the words were stuck in her throat. All she could do was laugh awkwardly."W-we'll take one with you too next time."I nodded lightly.There wouldn't be a next time.Riley couldn't read my thoughts. My silence made her u

I got straight into the black sedan that had come to pick me up, leaving Riley and Michael's argument far behind.The car drove me all the way to the research base.A few senior students were already waiting for me at the entrance. As soon as I stepped out of the car, they hurried over to help with my luggage."You must be Felicia, right? Our advisor has told us all about you. He said you're the most promising student he's seen in years!""Yeah. We thought he was exaggerating. Now that we've met you, it turns out you really are as brilliant and beautiful as he said."I flushed at the praise.Back in that house, the words I heard most were criticism and ridicule.Riley would say, "A girl raised in an orphanage is bound to lack manners."Michael would sigh and say, "She's so small-minded. Nothing like a true Graham." I was insecure and quiet—I could never compare to Simone. She had been raised by their side and was elegant in every way.No one had ever called me smart and beau

The call ended with Michael flying into a fit of rage, demanding, "Why do you always have to compete with your sister?"I told him I had work to do and hung up.I wasn't lying. I was preparing for a transfer.In my previous life, I spent years working as Simone's assistant. After I got married, I was trapped in the same city with my husband and child.When I was little, I always felt envious watching other people with happy families. Sometimes I wondered if the younger me could've ever imagined that the family I longed for would one day become my cage.That one phone call was enough to wake me up completely.I realized that I was still subconsciously comparing myself to Simone.The growing pains that had followed me during my previous life had carried over into this one.I shouldn't let myself be trapped by that so-called love anymore.When the project ended, I picked up my suitcase and boarded a train bound for South City with a recommendation letter from Mr. Reyner and my co

After that day, my parents never showed up unannounced again. They also stopped asking when I'd be free to come home.Our relationship faded to the point where if they weren't careful about how they reached out to me, I wouldn't even think of them.Still, Riley would occasionally send me messages. When I had time, I'd read them.She told me that after going back home, they had thought about everything over and over again.They had been too greedy. They couldn't let go of the adopted daughter they had loved for over 20 years, but they also couldn't bear to lose me, the biological daughter they owed so much to. In the end, they hurt me.She said Michael had long regretted the harsh things he said back then. He would repeatedly mention how he shouldn't have been so hard on me.She also said that when they realized I was far more accomplished than they had ever imagined, they felt proud of me.As for Simone, her life wasn't as perfect as it used to be.After realizing how much they