After I left, my biased family
regretted it so much that they went
crazy
Chapter 1
I used to be the undisputed princess of our home.
That all changed on my 18th birthday.
Dad brought home an orphan from the foster
system.
Everything just flipped.
My brother, Liam, doted on her.
He started treating me like garbage.
My childhood sweetheart, Jake, fell for her.
I became invisible to him.
7:33
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Even my own father said this random girl was a million times better than his own flesh and blood.
On my college graduation day, they blew me off for the hundred and first time.
It was all for her.
I finally snapped, “Aren’t I your real family?”
Dad shielded the orphan, tears welling in her
eyes because of me.
He slapped me hard across the face.
“You jealous brat. I wish I’d never had you.”
Liam chimed in, his voice dripping with venom.
“Having you as a sister is disgusting. Get out of
here!”
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67
I didn’t argue.
I just quietly packed my things and left.
The house was probably peaceful once I was gone.
They took the orphan to see penguins in
Antarctica.
I guess they figured they could give me the cold shoulder, like always.
Then, I’d come crawling back, begging for forgiveness.
They were so wrong.
I was done.
I called Mom and agreed to move overseas and
start a new life with her.
く
This time, they’d gone too far.
I was really leaving.
- 1.
“Mom, I’m in. I’ll move overseas and we can
have a fresh start together.”
There was a stunned silence on the other end,
then pure joy.
“Ashley, honey, you finally said yes!”
Then her voice turned sharp with concern.
“Ashley, why now? You said you weren’t ready.
Did your father do something?”
“I knew that old coot couldn’t be trusted. I
should have taken you with me when I divorced
him.”
<
“He swore he’d take care of you and Liam. Is
this how he did it? Tell me what happened,
baby. I’ll fix it.”
Yeah, Mom always favored me.
I was a girl, and she couldn’t bear to leave me
behind in the divorce.
She wanted to take me with her then.
Dad grabbed me and wouldn’t let go.
He promised he’d take care of me.
Liam cried, saying he didn’t want me to leave.
So, I stayed.
Now, they’d forgotten all their promises.
I swallowed the lump in my throat.
く
7:33
67
I tried to sound light and casual. “Mom, it’s not
like that. I just miss you.”
Mom’s voice softened.
“I miss my Ashley too. Come here, and we’ll
never be apart again.”
“I’m booking your ticket right now. Get ready to move here.”
“Okay.”
The phone practically vibrated in my hand as
soon as I hung up.
It was a text from the airline.
Mom had already booked my flight.
Three days.
- 2.
<
7:33
Mom texted again: “Ashley, say goodbye to
your friends.”
“This time, you’re not coming back.”
Say goodbye?
I thought about my dad and brother, who
couldn’t stand me.
And Jake.
Three days would have to be enough.
67
I turned off my phone and stood on the street
corner for a long time.
The autumn wind was biting.
Leaves swirled around my feet.
I shivered, my fingers numb.
I finally pulled out my phone and called Dad.
He was still my blood, after all.
We should say goodbye, properly.
The call went straight to voicemail.
I tried again.
The phone was turned off.
Reluctantly, I called Liam.
This time, it rang and rang before he finally
deigned to answer.
“What is it? Can’t you see Riley’s on stage?”
“You almost ruined her performance.”
Even knowing how biased he was, his words
I choked back the hurt and spoke softly.
“Liam, it’s been a while. Can we have dinner
tonight?”
Liam scoffed.
I cut him off, afraid of what he might say.
“Riley’s favorite seafood restaurant just
reopened after renovations.”
“Let’s go there tonight, okay?”
Riley was the orphan Dad had adopted.
Since she came to our house, I’d never groveled
like this.
Liam was unimpressed.
“What’s the catch, Ashley? Riley almost couldn’t
perform last time because of you. Are you
<
going to poison her?”
It felt like I was being stabbed.
The brother who once said he’d always believe
me was gone.
I stammered, “No… Liam, I just want to see
you.”
“I don’t want to see you…”
Liam was abruptly cut off.
Riley’s sweet voice came through the phone.
“Liam, don’t say that to Ashley. She’ll be hurt.”
“It’s been so long since I’ve seen her. Let’s all have dinner together.”
“But I’m tired today. Let’s just eat at home.”
<
“I want spicy crab, but the housekeeper’s on
vacation. Can Ashley make it?”
“Of course.”
I practically shouted it. “I’ll come home right
away and make it.”
I hung up before they could change their minds.
I even forgot that I was allergic to shellfish.
- 3.
The wind brought tears to my eyes.
I wiped them away and went to the market.
Crabs are a pain to handle.
My fingers turned red in minutes, and a rash
bloomed on my palms.
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67
I kept thinking that this was the last meal we’d eat together as a family.
I ignored the discomfort and kept cooking.
By the time the spicy crab was ready, Dad and
the others arrived with Riley.
Dad glanced at the living room as he put the
crab on the table.
The living room was filled with laughter.
My normally busy father was sitting across from Riley.
He listened intently as she told stories about
what happened backstage.
Liam took an orange from Riley’s hand,
scolding, “Let me peel that for you. We can’t let
our pianist’s hands do that.”
My former fiancé, Jake, was there with his
parents.
It was obvious that they preferred Riley over
- me.
Jake sat next to Riley, watching her adoringly.
He offered her water whenever she looked tired.
I stood there, ignored.
Like a million times before, everyone forgot I
existed when Riley was around.
The dining room and living room were divided.
One side was filled with warmth, the other with
loneliness.
I’d almost forgotten that, not long ago.
That spot belonged to me.
<
7:34
I used to be the center of their attention.
“Ashley, what are you doing standing over
there? Come join us.”
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Liam scoffed. “Please no. She’d ruin the mood.”
“I don’t understand. They are both our sisters,
but one of them can’t help to be horrible.”
I clenched my fists to stop myself from crying.
I forced a smile. “That’s okay, I won’t come
over. Dinner’s ready. Come eat.”
I put the last dish on the table.
Six people were sitting around it.
Riley was sitting in my usual spot.
Dad, Liam, Jake, and Jake’s parents surrounded
her.
<
Liam looked up at me.
Before he could say anything, I grabbed my
bowl and went to the kitchen.
I saw Liam look briefly conflicted.
Then, he went back to peeling shrimp for Riley.
Dinner was on the table.
I was in the kitchen, eating rice with the leftover
broth from the stir–fried greens.
I couldn’t hold it in any longer.
When I was done, I stood in the doorway,
watching them.
Riley loved seafood.
Everyone doted on her.
They peeled lobster and crab for her.
Jake’s parents used to like me.
Now, like Jake, they preferred this newcomer.
They wanted to give her everything.
The atmosphere in the dining room was so
happy.
I couldn’t help but remember.
There was a time when I sat where Riley sat.
I was the one surrounded by love.
I lost myself in thought.
I didn’t realize I was staring until my eyes met
Liam’s.
His warm gaze turned cold.
I fled back to the kitchen.
I tripped over a pot on the floor.
The lid crashed to the ground, making a loud
noise.
Dad stopped peeling shrimp.
He scowled. “I knew she wasn’t sincere. We let
her cook one meal, and she starts making a
scene. She has no manners.”
I huddled in the darkness, terrified.
Dad, it’s not like that.
It was an accident.
This was our last family dinner.
<
I didn’t mean to ruin it.
But I knew it was pointless to explain.
He wouldn’t believe me.
Jake’s mom glanced at the kitchen, her eyes
softening.
“They’re just kids. She’s been busy all day. It’s
understandable.”
