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All Chapters of My Family Chose the Fraud Over Me: Chapter 1 - Chapter 9

9 Chapters

Chapter 1

For a moment, my brother, Xavier Summers, looked surprised that I'd agreed so readily. But the expression quickly gave way to the usual certainty that everything would go the way he expected."It's good that you're being understanding." He looked away, his tone casual and dismissive as he added, "You'd better clear your stuff out of the room soon. Otherwise, it'll just get in the way when the housekeeper cleans. Don't blame me if something gets thrown out."I lowered my head and poked at the food on my plate. I mumbled softly, "Okay."At that moment, Chloe Summers looked up, her eyes red."Xavier, maybe we should let Clara keep her room. I did so badly on the SAT. I don't even feel like painting anymore—""Chloe!" Mom cut in immediately. "Don't say things like that about yourself. Your grades have always been excellent. You were just nervous this time. "Besides, so what if your score wasn't great? You're gifted in art, and your paintings are beautiful. We'll pay to have your wor

Chapter 2

I opened the closet. Inside hung a few plain clothes the family had rushed out to buy when I first moved in. Some still had tags attached, but they were already out of style.Meanwhile, Chloe's walk-in closet was filled with designer labels and custom-made pieces.I pulled open a drawer and took out a small metal box hidden at the very bottom. Inside was a yellowed piece of paper with the word "Clara" written across it in crooked handwriting. It was the only thing I had kept from my old life.Memories from when I was seven years old came flooding back uncontrollably.It was a cold winter day. My foster father, Jack Schultz, was beating me across the back with a belt because I had accidentally burned a saucepan of rice while tending the stove.I knelt in the snow until my lips turned blue. Beside me, my foster mother, Anne DeVito, snacked on nuts and sneered. "Useless brat! You can't even do one simple thing right. We should've left you in a ditch when we found you."At 12, I earn

Chapter 3

During my sophomore year, I won a gold medal at the National Physics Olympiad, earning a place in Stawford University's Summer Scholars Camp.Chloe wanted to attend too, but her grades weren't good enough.Mom tried to persuade me. "Clara, why don't you give your spot to Chloe? You'll have other opportunities in the future."It was the first time I ever said no.Xavier slammed his hand onto the table and yelled, "How can you be so selfish? Can't you see Chloe is crying?"In the end, I went. But during those seven days away, not a single person from my family called me. When I came home, I discovered Chloe had accidentally broken my competition medal."I'm sorry, Clara. I just wanted to take a look, and it slipped out of my hands." She blinked innocently. "You'll win more of these in the future anyway, right?"I said nothing. I simply gathered the shattered pieces and put them away in my drawer, as if I were storing the broken fragments of my heart.Similar events happened count

Chapter 4

Ten minutes later, when I ended the call, my palms were soaked with sweat.I opened the second compartment of the metal box. Inside were several neatly arranged passbooks and bank cards. There was also every scholarship I'd earned over the past three years, from school awards to regional prizes. Altogether, the money was enough to cover four years of college tuition and living expenses.I carefully packed everything into a small bag that I could carry with me. Then, I made a list and began calculating exactly how much the Summers family had spent on me over the last three years.The total wasn't much. My tuition had been at a standard public high school, and miscellaneous expenses came to a few hundred dollars a year. Most of my clothes were bargain purchases the housekeeper ordered online. Over three years, they probably hadn't cost more than 500 dollars.My allowance was a hundred dollars a month—when they remembered to give it to me.Altogether, it came out to roughly six

Chapter 5

The Eroba trip ended early. What was supposed to be a two-week trip was cut short after only ten days, and the four members of the Summers family hurried back home.They claimed the reason was that Chloe had come down with a high fever in Louma and tearfully begged to go home. But I knew the real reason was because of the message she'd accidentally posted.Xavier gave a perfunctory knock on the attic door before letting himself in."Why are you up here reading?" He frowned. "The housekeeper said you've been sleeping in the attic all week."I closed my book and replied, "Yeah. Wasn't my room supposed to become Chloe's art studio?"He hesitated for a moment before saying, "What's the rush? Chloe didn't say she needed it right away."I didn't respond.His gaze swept across the cramped attic before landing on the small luggage beside me. "That's all your stuff?" he asked, sounding surprised."Yeah. There wasn't much in the first place."Xavier's frown deepened. He walked over an

Chapter 6

The day Mrs. Rowland saw the Stawford University banner, she'd excitedly told all her friends, who then told their friends. Eventually, the story made its way to one of Dad's colleagues.The world was truly small."By the way, Clara," Mom suddenly said. "While we were gone, how did the house get so messy? The housekeeper may have been on vacation, but that doesn't mean you couldn't clean up after yourself."I looked up. "I did clean.""Then, why is there dust in the living room?" Her tone was reproachful. "You're already 18 years old. You should learn how to do household chores. Chloe grew up spoiled and never had to do that kind of thing, but you're different. You grew up in the countryside. You should be used to it."Xavier frowned. "Mom, that's enough.""Am I wrong?" she shot back. "She lives here too. The least she can do is contribute. She can't just sit around eating and living here for free.""Mom!" Xavier's voice rose.Dad waved a hand. "Alright. That's enough, both of

Chapter 7

Dad finally ended the call."Why didn't anyone tell us?"Mom spun toward me, her voice sharp. "Clara, something this important happened, and you never told your family?"I replied calmly, "I did. You never asked.""You…" Mom was stunned.Then, Chloe suddenly burst into tears. It wasn't her usual delicate little sniffles; it was a genuine collapse. She dropped to the floor, burying her face against her knees. Her shoulders shook violently."Chloe!" Mom rushed over and pulled her into a hug. "Sweetheart, what's wrong? Don't cry."Xavier's expression darkened even further. He shot me a vicious glare.Dad rubbed his temples and let out a long sigh. "Clara, go to your room.""Which room?" I asked. "I thought my room was being converted into an art studio."Dad froze. Mom lifted her head, tears streaking her face. "Clara, can't you be a little more considerate of Chloe? Her feelings are—""What about my feelings?" I interrupted softly. "Has anyone ever considered my feelings?"

Chapter 8

The temporary housing Stawford University assigned me was a single room in one of the graduate students' residence buildings. It wasn't large, but it was clean and tidy, with a private bathroom and a small balcony. Compared to the luxurious guest room at the Summers residence, this place made me feel far more at ease.I took a hot shower, changed into clean pajamas, and collapsed onto the bed.Early the next morning, I wandered through the tree-lined paths of campus, familiarizing myself with the route. As I passed a bulletin board, I noticed that the list of incoming early-admission students had already been posted.My name was at the very top—Clara Summers, Physics Department, Stawford Horizon Program.A voice came from behind me. "Hey, are you a freshman too?"I turned around. A man wearing black-rimmed glasses stood there, carrying a backpack and holding a stack of books."I guess," I replied."I'm Ethan Torres. I'm in the Mathematics Department." He smiled. "What about yo

Chapter 9

I froze."I'm sorry, Clara." Xavier looked up, his eyes red. "I've been a complete jerk for the last three years. I shouldn't have treated you that way. I shouldn't have always taken Chloe's side. I shouldn't have said all those hurtful things."A bitter smile crossed his face. He continued, "I know it's too late to say all this now. But the truth is that I wasn't a good brother."Looking at him, I felt nothing at all."Xavier, I accept your apology. But I won't go back.""Why?" His voice cracked. "Do you really hate us that much?""I don't hate you. I just don't care anymore. Whether you're happy or miserable, sick or healthy, none of it has anything to do with me now. I have my own life to live."Xavier stared at me as though he were seeing me for the first time. After a long silence, he murmured, "You've changed."To that, I replied, "I've grown up."The school dismissal bell rang in the distance, and the campus slowly came alive around us. Students walked by in small group

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