Chapter9 Im off to my room , I said , and then I did , locking the door behind me for some peace . My personality has changed , I wasnt always this shy . I fought back once . There was this one time when I pulled Ashley aside , and even though I barely tugged , she hit the desk and started crying . Just for that , my mom slapped me and made me apologize . She didnt even give me a chance to explain what happened . That time , I tried to stand my ground with a hunger strike , and even left home , hoping theyd miss me . I waited for them at our usual park all day , but they never came . When I finally returned , hungry and shivering , they were all snug in the living room , chuckling at the TV . The coffee table was a feast of snacks . It was enough to make anyone snap . I lost it , crushed the snacks under my feet , and got a beating for my outburst . After that , they punished me by taking away my lunch money , and forbid me to go out and play with my friends . Who got out to play with them ? Ashley did , and they all loved. They said they werent playing favorites , but all they cared about U00 % ||| 10:57 Chapter was that Ashley lost her parents . Did they ever think about how her arrival affected me ? It was really sad . In my previous life , I tried to fight and please them , but even when I jumped off the rooftop , they didnt care . My folks had all their love reserved for their adopted girl , Ashley . She was a golden child . They wouldnt miss me even if I wasnt around . So starting that day , I became the invisible one at home , only existing to go to school and do my homework . At dinner , all the attention was on Ashley . The dinner table , once filled with my favorite dishes , now only had what she liked . It was the same old story . Ashley got all the new toys and the best snacks , and I was left with whatever she didnt want . In their eyes , Ashley seemed like someone who was always willing to help , sweet and caring . Theyd paid a fortune on a fancy notebook for Ashley , but when I asked for a doll , theyd tell me to take one that Ashley didnt want from her collection . Then I ended up with a doll Ashley didnt want , but my folks never batted an eye . They always favored Ashley . If I didnt treat Ashley like a princess , I would be the black sheep . In my previous life , it ruined my childhood , but I wasnt going to let it affect me Chapter Vouchers anymore . Once Christmas was over , I would throw myself into studying , aiming for a top university . People might pick their favorites , but the future I was working hard for ? That was all mine . On Christmas Eve , Mom and Dad surprised us with two dresses . As I was heading downstairs , Ashley waved the dresses at me . Grace , which one do you prefer ? This was another act from her , because in my previous life and in this one , we never got along , so I just shrugged . In the past , to punish me , my parents only bought new clothes for Ashley , leaving me with the most used and worn down clothes , becoming a joke throughout the school year . But this time , I nonchalantly chose one of the dresses . Ashley flashed a sad look and said , If you like it , Ill gladly give it to you . I couldnt stifle my annoyance at her act . However , my parents knew Ashley had her eye on the dress Id chosen . My mom then took the dress away from me and held it up to Ashley . Grace , youre the elder sister . You should let Ashley have it . Lets see the dress on her , shall we ? The more my mom looked at it , the happier she got . My dad and brother joined in , all pushing Ashley to change into the dress . Ashley nestled against my mom , her voice barely a whisper . Mom , Grace isnt too fond of me . Maybe I should return the Chapters 1282 Vouchers . dress to her . My brothers protective instincts kicked in , questioning Ashley if I had bullied her . Ashley shook her head timidly , her eyes wide with fear , making me look bad . Seeing that , Mom turned on me , Grace , didnt I tell you to be nice to Ashley ? Youre being so thoughtless . Look at how youve scared her . The new dresses are no longer an option for you . Theyre both Ashleys now . No matter how many times I relived my life , that dress was always just beyond my grasp . I thought , after everything I had been through , I would be immune to this kind of injustice by now . Yet , the sting of my moms distrust cut deep . Suit yourselves , I muttered , retreating upstairs to shield my tears from their view . I was their flesh and blood , but why did it always end up being my fault when Ashley cried ? My dads voice boomed from downstairs . Grace , march down . here and apologize to your mom ! Who gave you the right to talk like that ? My brother climbed onto the balcony , grabbing my wrist trying to pull me out . Youre acting so selfish . Cant you embrace Ashley like we did ? Shes lost her family , and were all she has . His grip on my wrist hurt so deep probably because hed forgotten his own promise to protect me . To end the argument , my dad sent him to take Ashley to watch the fireworks . With a final glare , my brother stormed off , the door crashing shut behind him . Their joyous fireworks display unfolded outside , a picture of familial bliss . Upstairs , I was the silent observer . Was this the family who had vowed to be fair and just ? After her grandfather's death, she unexpectedly discovers that both her sister and boyfriend betrayed her, taking away the family fortune left by her grandfather. Determined to seek revenge, she decid...