Chapter 2 Mom , why are you always like this ? Jason is your child , but aren't I your child too ? [ ] Why do you always favor him ? You give him whatever he wants , but what about me ? I'm the one who takes care of you , who would wipe your ass if needed . I don't even care about your inheritance anymore - I just want a single word of affection from you ! Standing in the corridor , I trembled , tears threatening to spill over . [ ] God , how I wanted to burst back into that room and demand answers . But I couldn't . ] Looking at my mother sitting up in that hospital bed , my heart overflowed with hurt and confusion . [ ] I'd never understood why , throughout my entire life , she showered Jason with affection while treating me with such coldness . I remember when Jason and I were in elementary school together . Every morning , Mom would prepare Jason a hearty breakfast - eggs , bacon , fresh fruit - while I made do with whatever leftovers I could find . [ ] Once , I gathered the courage to ask " Mom , why does Jason get eggs and milk while I only get toast ? " Without even looking up , she responded , " You're the older sister - you should learn to put your brother first . He's still growing and needs the nutrition . " I lowered my head and silently chewed my stale bread , swallowing my hurt along with it . [ ] By middle school , I'd become an excellent student , consistently ranking at the top of my class . I thought if I could just achieve enough , she might finally look my way . How wrong I was . I remember racing home with a perfect test score , bursting with excitement to share my accomplishment . " Mom ! I got a hundred percent on my test ! " I announced breathlessly . [ ] She was peeling an apple for Jason , and barely acknowledged me with a distracted " Mmm " before continuing her task . [ ] " Here you go , sweetie , " she said , handing the perfectly sliced fruit to my brother . " Eat up - fruit is good for you . " [ ] I stood frozen , my test paper suddenly feeling like a lead weight in my hand . Watching her tenderly wipe juice from Jason's chin , something inside me shriveled . After that day , I stopped sharing my achievements with her . Ow