My childhood sweetheart and younger brother both fell in love with the underprivileged student who moved into our home.

After she took my family and fiancé away from me, I chose to disappear from their lives forever.

But after I left, the fiancé who once told me he wished I were dead went mad trying to find me.

"Mr. Langley, I've decided to turn over my patent to the government and join the National Medical Research Institute."

The principal, Edward Langley, stood up excitedly.

"That's wonderful, Miss Carter! Your patent will save hundreds, if not thousands, of patients.

"But this is a top-secret national research institute. You'll need to go incognito for at least three years. The journey starts in ten days. Are you sure you don't need to discuss this with your boyfriend or family?"

"That won't be necessary."

Selena Carter gave a bitter smile.

That place was no longer somewhere she could call home.

Last year, her family had been sponsoring an underprivileged student, Vanessa Johnson. After Vanessa's parents died in a car accident, Selena's father took her in.

Unlike Selena, who always kept to herself and focused on her work, Vanessa was good at winning people over. In less than a year, she had become the heart and soul of the Carter family.

Not only did Selena's father treat Vanessa well, but even Selena's fiancé, Ian Lowell, and her younger brother Ryan had fallen for Vanessa.

There was one time when Vanessa had broken Selena's late mother's portrait. Yet her father had dismissed it, saying the past should be left behind and ordered the entire memorial altar to be removed.

Even the patent Selena developed in memory of her mother—the cardiac stent she had spent years perfecting—Vanessa had wanted to take for herself.

To force Selena into giving it up, Ian had even threatened to break up with her.

Family ties and lifelong promises couldn't compete with sweet words and manipulation.

Selena was tired of fighting.

She just wanted to leave and set herself free.

When she arrived home, the contrast was stark. While she stood alone, the dining room was filled with warmth and laughter.

Her family was celebrating Vanessa's one-year anniversary of joining the Carter family.

No one had remembered that today was also Selena's birthday. Since her mother's passing, no one had ever given her a birthday gift or celebrated for her again.

She saw Ian and Ryan sitting on either side of Vanessa, their smiles warm as they handed her presents.

Selena's face was devoid of any emotion.

As she walked past the dining room, her father, Zachary Carter, called out to her. "I told you to talk to Mr. Langley and transfer the patent to Vanessa. Did you do it?"

Selena shook her head. "The patent isn't mine anymore."

Hearing this, everyone assumed she had done what they wanted and given it to Vanessa.

Ian was so excited that he hugged Vanessa. "That's great! This is a national-level patent! With this, your future in school and work is guaranteed. Congratulations!"

Selena watched coldly and turned to leave.

Vanessa suddenly cut a slice of mango cake and brought it to over. "Selena, thank you for everything you've done for me. This is for you."

The moment they were out of everyone's sight, Vanessa dropped her sweet facade, her expression full of provocation. She was basking in her victory.

Selena's expression remained cold. "Take it away."

Vanessa had been with her when she received her medical report two days ago. No one else but Vanessa knew she was allergic to mangoes.

"What's with the attitude, Selena? I was the one who told you to give the patent to Vanessa. If you're angry, take it out on me," Ian stood up and came over, staring at Selena coldly.

Vanessa wiped away her tears and spoke with a trembling voice.

"Don't blame Selena, Ian. If anyone is at fault, it's me. There was never anything in this house that belonged to me. I know Selena has always thought my things were dirty. I'm sorry, Selena. If you don't like me, I'll leave today.

"I don't want to be a parasite. I just wanted to repay Mr. Carter's kindness. I'm really sorry."

"Vanessa, this is your home. If anyone dares to drive you out, I won't stand for it!" Ryan immediately grabbed her hand.

Zachary slammed his fork on the table in frustration.

"Everyone was having a good time, and you just had to come back and ruin it!" he shouted. "When will you finally grow up? How did I end up with such a petty, insensible daughter like you? Eat the cake and apologize to Vanessa!"

Selena met her father's gaze and saw only disgust.

Although she had already decided to leave this toxic family, her hands still trembled uncontrollably. It felt like a massive hand was squeezing her heart.

Through clenched jaws, she forced out the words, "What if I refuse?"

A slap landed across her face.

Before she could even react, Zachary grabbed the piece of cake and shoved it into her mouth.

The attack was so sudden that Selena barely had time to register what was happening before her lips went numb.

Her breathing grew labored. Soon, her legs gave out beneath her, and she collapsed.

Vanessa feigned concern. "Selena, are you okay? Should I call an ambulance for you?"

"Leave her alone. She's just putting on an act. Let's continue."

-

The voices around her were a chaotic blur.

Selena barely managed to crawl back to her room.

With trembling hands, she opened her drawer, took out her medicine, and swallowed it before using the last of her strength to dial emergency services.

She lay there, her expression numb, and stared blankly at the ceiling.

Ten more days, and she could finally leave this cold, heartless place. She could finally escape from these rotten people and go somewhere nobody would find her.

These people were blood relatives who felt like strangers and a lover full of empty lies.

She didn't need any of them anymore.

At some point, Selena lost consciousness. In her dazed state, she had a dream.

She dreamed of the time in middle school when an article she had written was published in a medical journal.

Excited, she brought the journal home, but no one in her family could understand it. They glanced at it briefly before tossing it aside.

Only her mother read it for a long time. In the end, she stroked Selena's head, eyes filled with love, and praised her.

Curious, Selena asked, "Mom, can you understand medical journals?"

Her mother shook her head and said in a gentle voice, "I don't understand what you wrote, but I recognize the spot where your name is printed."

Even after many years, she still remembered that afternoon.

Now, her articles were published in one journal after another. But the person who used to stroke her head and praise her was no longer there.

"Mom–"

When Selena woke up, there were still tears at the corners of her eyes.

The first thing she saw was a young man looking at her with concern. It was Henry Zimmer, her junior who currently interned at the hospital.

"Selena, your family is way too heartless," he said angrily. "I heard from the paramedics that you were on the verge of death, but they were busy having a family dinner and didn't care at all.

"You were in a coma for two days, and not a single one of them have come to see you."

Hearing his furious complaints, Selena remained expressionless.

Her unusual reaction made Henry's heart ache. Perhaps this reflected her feelings of despair and disappointment.

"Selena, I bought you some soup. You need to eat something."

Before Selena could respond, Henry had already scooped up a spoonful soup and brought it to her lips, leaving her no room to refuse. She had no choice but to open her mouth.

Slowly, Henry's figure in front of her overlapped with a person from her past.

When her mother had just passed away, Selena had clung to the funeral portrait like she was possessed, refusing to eat, drink, or go to school. Furious, her father had beaten her with a belt until she was covered in wounds.

Even Ryan had been so scared that he crouched in the corner, too afraid to make a sound. It was Ian who had stormed into the Carter family's home, using his body to shield her.

He had taken her back to his house and personally fed her.

Back then, Ian had been the light in her life.

She never would have thought that the person who once promised to stay by her side forever would fall in love with someone else.

"Selena, who is he?"

A cold voice pulled her back to reality.

Ian stood at the door of the hospital room. His expression was dark.

After falling for Vanessa, he had already made up his mind to end things with Selena. And yet, seeing Henry gently feeding her soup, Ian felt a sharp pain in his heart.

It was as if something that should have belonged to him had been forcibly taken away.

Henry was about to explain, but Ian strode forward without a word and slapped the soup bowl away. The ceramic bowl shattered, shards flying everywhere.

Selena couldn't dodge in time, and a long gash appeared on her arm. Blood gushed out.

The pain sent shivers through her body. Ian never even spared her a glance. His dark, oppressive gaze was fixed on Henry as he issued a harsh command, "Get out."

His tone made it seem as though Selena was nothing more than his possession, one that no one else was allowed to touch.

But at that moment, his phone rang. After answering, his expression changed drastically.

"Vanessa is feeling guilty. Her depression spiraled, and she overdosed on pills. I need to go with her to the hospital for gastric lavage. I'll come see you later, okay?"

There was no trace of concern for Selena in his voice. It was only a statement of fact.

Selena clutched her bleeding arm and looked at his heartless face. Then, she let out a bitter laugh.

"Alright."

What was there to be sad about?

'Ian, in just eight more days, you won't have to keep up this act anymore.'

Selena's hollow gaze met Ian's.

His gaze wavered for a moment.

But then he thought of Vanessa, who was also in the hospital. Clenching his jaw, he turned and left without hesitation.

Henry watched in shock.

He had secretly liked Selena for a long time. But after hearing that she had a childhood sweetheart and that their relationship had always been strong, he had forced himself to suppress his feelings.

Once, he had been so jealous of this man he had never even met.

Yet, he never would have thought that in Selena's moment of greatest need, this man would leave her to care for another woman.

Selena's wound was still bleeding, but she seemed completely numb to the pain. Her eyes looked lifeless.

Henry's heart ached so much that his lips trembled. He couldn't imagine how deeply Ian must have hurt Selena to turn his once bright and cheerful senior into this hollow shell.

"Selena, I'll go get some gauze and dress your wound."

After her wound was treated, Selena asked Henry to help her with the discharge paperwork.

Before leaving, Henry gently held her back to talk.

He knew the Carter family had no place for her anymore. If she didn't mind, she could stay here for a few days. He was willing to take care of her.

However, Selena merely smiled and shook her head.

She didn't want to drag Henry into this. It was enough that she alone bore the pain.

-

Back at the Carter family home, Selena received a text from Zachary.

"Vanessa just had her gastric lavage. She needs someone to take care of her, so we won't be coming home tonight. I left some food for you in the kitchen. Eat when you get home."

On the dining table, there were only a few scraps of vegetables, meat, and a bowl of cold soup.

It wasn't food left for her. It was Vanessa's leftovers.

Selena showed no expression. She had long used to this long ago.

Since the day Vanessa arrived at the Carter family home through a sponsorship program, Zachary had doted on her.

He said she had grown up in the mountains and had been malnourished since childhood. So, whenever there was good food, Vanessa was given priority.

Selena was older, so she was expected to be understanding. She was expected to willingly give up everything.

Selena had never been the type to fight for anything. So all she could do was watch as Vanessa took everything from her.

Even her former bedroom had been given to Vanessa. Selena had been moved to the shabby attic with its hard wooden bed.

Perhaps in Zachary's eyes, Vanessa—sweet-tongued and good at winning people over—was the ideal daughter he had always wanted.

Just then, the door opened.

Her younger brother, Ryan, walked in carrying a bag. When he saw Selena, he froze for a moment. Then, his expression darkened in irritation, as if he had seen something disgusting.

"I'm just here to grab some toiletries for Vanessa.

"And by the way, Ian asked me to pass on a message. He's done with you. You should just let it go. Vanessa's depression has relapsed, and he can't leave her side right now.

"This is something you gave him before. He told me to return it to you."

He pulled out a tape recorder and handed it to Selena.

It was the first gift she had ever given Ian.

Back then, she'd had no money to buy anything expensive. She had saved up half a year's worth of breakfast money just to buy this tape recorder and had recorded all of Ian's favorite songs on it.

She still remembered how Ian had cried as he hugged her, swearing that he would cherish this gift for a lifetime.

And now?

Not only had he broken that promise, but he couldn't even be bothered to return it to her himself.