"Her eyes may be sick, but she's not blind. Why should everyone have to give way to her in everything?"
Ms. Weber tapped Ethan on the forehead, warning him to be careful with his words. Then she pulled me into her arms, stroking my back like a mother would.
"You can be my goddaughter from now on. You're such a wonderful kid—if they don't want you, I do."
I buried my face in Ms. Weber's embrace and sobbed uncontrollably.
Meanwhile, Ethan muttered under his breath beside us, "If she becomes your daughter, wouldn't that make us siblings?"
After that, I spent the most relaxed period of my life in high school. Even during winter and summer breaks, I used studying as an excuse to stay in the dormitory most of the time.
My biological parents couldn't be bothered with me anyway. I heard they were busy taking Grace to various doctors while shuttling her between different tutoring classes.
They were so occupied that they half-abandoned the family business and significantly reduced my allowance. Fortunately, I had already achieved financial independence and could live quite comfortably even without relying on the Lane family.
I had an eye for investing in artwork from a young age. However, I was gaslit by my father and Grace in my previous life, believing that mixing art with money was shameful.
They talked a good game, but secretly sold paintings I had identified as valuable, without sharing a penny with me. Having seen through their facade early on, I asked the trustworthy Ms. Weber to help me invest.
Watching the numbers in my bank account steadily increase gave me unprecedented peace of mind. Having the ability to support oneself truly was the most important thing.
This weekend, Ms. Weber and Ethan had specifically set aside time to take me on a picnic at a nearby park. She went to park the car while Ethan and I went ahead to secure a spot on the lawn. I had been looking forward to this day, but my good mood vanished when I saw the Lane family approaching.
Grace walked in front, arm-in-arm with Jake, followed by my saintly parents, whom I hadn't seen in ages. Their bright smiles froze when they spotted me.
Grace timidly hid behind Jake as if I might devour her as soon as she saw me. This delicate act provoked Jake's protective instincts, and his gaze toward me instantly turned hostile.
"You claimed you were studying all this time, but you were actually lying." Grace noticed Ethan standing beside me and bit her lip with a hint of jealousy.
"Wendy, are you on a date with your boyfriend? Mom and Dad have been so worried about you, yet you don't even come home during breaks. Instead, you lie to us. You've truly changed since starting high school..."
My parents also looked at Ethan and me in shock.
"Wendy, how are you already deceiving your parents for a boy at such a young age? Are you trying to worry us to death? When will you ever be as obedient and well-behaved as Grace?"
The four of them hurled accusations at me, not even giving me a chance to explain. Although Ethan had heard about the Lane family's favoritism, he was still bewildered by their coordinated attack.
