When my parents placed me in the psychiatric hospital, Karina was performing a violin concert. My fiancé and younger brother were in the audience, applauding and celebrating her. That should have been my moment of glory. The violin was meant to be my twelfth birthday gift.

Throughout my life, Karina and I competed over countless things. Whether I was right or wrong, my parents always took her side, immediately blaming me whenever she shed a tear. Without fail. And yet, I am their biological daughter!

It was only at the moment of my death that I realized the truth. If given another chance, I would never compete with Karina for this one-sided love.

---

When I opened my eyes again, I was eleven years old, reborn on the day Karina wanted to change her name to be part of the Baker family. Karina, my uncle's daughter, lost her parents in a car accident and was left frail and unwell. Dad and Uncle were brothers, and Dad couldn’t bear to see Karina alone, so he adopted her as one of our own.

Karina nestled against Mom, her voice filled with hope. "Mom, can I have a name starting with 'K' like my sister? I never had a proper name before, and I want to be your child, too."

Mom tenderly stroked her hair. "Of course, you can. Since your brother is named Layne, you can be Karina. How does that sound?"

I stood on the stairs, coldly observing the warm scene below, until Dad noticed me. He frowned, looking cautious, as if convinced I was going to do something to Karina.

"Shiloh, stop causing trouble. From now on, Karina is your sister. She’s not well, so you need to take care of her and not bully her. Do you understand?"

I heard the same words as my previous life, and my heart sank. Karina wasn’t well, and as her older sister, I had to let her have her way. I had heard this countless times before. In that past life, once Karina arrived, the love that was solely mine was largely given to her by my parents. Just because she was an orphan and ill, I had to give in to her.

In the end, even the leftovers of affection meant for me were given entirely to Karina. But I was only two months older than Karina! And she was merely my cousin. Why did my parents treat her like their own daughter? Was it just because she could cry?

I vividly remembered the last time I saw Mom in my past life. She looked at me with disdain and said, "Shiloh, I must have spoiled you. You can’t even spare Karina."

Maybe she had forgotten that since Karina came, she had stopped spoiling me. I’m her biological daughter!

My gaze drifted downstairs, and Mom tried to reassure me. "Shiloh, even with Karina here, you'll always be my favorite."

There was a flash of malice in Karina’s eyes that seemed beyond her age, something I wouldn’t have recognized if not for having lived two lifetimes. Then, she turned her gaze and with everyone watching her, asked me, crestfallen, "Sister, do you dislike me?"

I ignored her and turned to go upstairs. Mom called after me, but Dad interrupted, "Let her be. She's been spoiled for too long. If only she were half as sensible as Karina, I’d be delighted."

My grip on the handrail tightened momentarily before I casually returned to my room.

Even though, from the moment of my rebirth, I decided to let go of their love, my heart was still deeply wounded by my own father's words.

Aside from eating and using the bathroom, I rarely left my room.

First, I didn't want to see Karina's insincere face, and second, I wanted to focus on my studies to ensure I could get into the best university. Once I made it to college, I could finally leave the Baker family and not have to deal with their favoritism toward Karina.

While I was immersed in my book, a knock came at the door, followed by Karina's hesitant voice. "Sis, Mom made some spiced honey cake. I brought you a couple of slices."

I didn't feel like playing along with her act, so I kept my eyes on my book.

After a while, I heard Karina’s voice outside, now laced with tears. "Mom, does my sister not like me? I just want to spend time with her, but she ignores me… Is it because she thinks I took Mom and Dad away?"

"Maybe if I go back to the foster home, she'll like me again."

Mom tried to soothe her. "Oh no, Shiloh is just a bit spoiled by us. I'll ask her to play with you another time."

Even my brother Layne joined in. "I like Karina more! She's the best, unlike the mean sis!"

I opened the door and spoke coolly. "Alright, we all get it. Your bond is unbreakable, but could you please not loiter outside my door? It's quite noisy."

Karina stepped forward, trying to approach me but hesitating. "Sis, would you play with me if I went back to the foster home?"

"I'll pack and leave right away."

Layne spread his arms protectively in front of Karina and said, with righteous indignation, "You're the bad one, sis! I love Karina, not you. Go away, sis!"

Mom didn't scold him. Instead, she looked at me. "Shiloh, you're being unreasonable! Learn from Karina. She’s younger yet so much more mature than you."

My grip on the doorknob tightened. "More mature and understanding than me? Why not make her your daughter then? Oh right, she already is."

Dad came up the stairs and, without knowing the situation, started yelling at me. "Shiloh, you're getting more and more out of line! Karina is a part of our family now. As her sister, you should look out for her, not act this way! Even your brother is more sensible than you!"

"Apologize to Karina immediately!"

I looked at Dad, Mom, Layne, and Karina standing across from me, and it felt as though they were the real family, while I was just the outsider looking for a place to belong.

How ridiculous. My own parents wouldn't stand up for me; instead, they yelled at me over a single comment. Even my beloved younger brother sided with Karina.

I caught sight of the slight smirk on Karina's lips and ignored my father’s persistent shouting. I slammed the door shut, refusing to respond to his demands for an apology to Karina.

Leaning against the door, I tried to calm myself, still able to faintly hear them comforting Karina.

This life wasn’t much different from the last. Even if I avoided confronting Karina now, they would still think I was being unfair to her.

It was all so laughable.

Soon, my birthday arrived.

Dad gave me a birthday gift I had been yearning for—a violin. It was quite an expense for our family, so my parents had hesitated to buy it. Mom signaled with a smile for me to open it. I took the violin out, keeping my expression neutral, though I couldn't miss the flash of envy in Karina's eyes.

Dad took the opportunity to speak to me sincerely. "Shiloh, we haven't forgotten you. We still love you."

Mom gently stroked my hair. "Yes, Shiloh. See, we got you the violin you've wanted so much. It's just that Karina has been unwell, so we've had to pay more attention to her. You should be more understanding and look after Karina, setting a good example for your brother, all right?”

Before I could respond, Karina gasped, drawing everyone's attention. Realizing that all eyes were on her, she covered her mouth apologetically, her eyes filled with longing.

"Mom and Dad are so good to you, Shiloh. I've never even seen a violin in real life. I've only ever seen them on TV... I really envy you. Unfortunately, no one ever buys me one."

"They always say it's a waste of money for a girl to learn that. I envy you so much, Shiloh."

Karina’s sorrowful expression tugged at my parents' hearts. Just as before, Mom took the violin and handed it directly to Karina. Dad repeated the familiar refrain.

"Since your sister wants it so much, Shiloh, you should be generous and let her have the violin.”

Karina held the violin delicately, her voice tender. "Is it really okay, Shiloh?"

Before I could agree, Mom made the decision for me. "Why wouldn't it be? Karina is part of our family too."

In my past life, that was how Karina had ended up with my violin. My parents insisted I give it up, promising I'd get something better in the future. Back then, I had argued desperately, only to be harshly reprimanded and have my allowance cut.

Why should she get to act innocent and take what’s mine? Didn’t I deserve it just as much?

I lifted my head and asked the question that had been burning inside me. "Why does my birthday gift have to go to her? Can't you get her another one?"

They didn’t seem to have an epiphany, choosing instead to scold me. "The family isn’t rich, and this violin is already a splurge! How can we afford another one? Can’t you share it with Karina?"

"Why are you being so selfish? Karina is already very unfortunate; as her sister, you should be considerate."

I looked at them for a few moments, then nodded slowly. "I understand."

With that, I turned and went upstairs.

Behind me, I heard Mom calling after me and Dad's criticism. "Look at her, behaving like this. She’s learned to throw a tantrum at such a young age."

"She won't understand the value of money until she's handling a household herself!"

At the corner of the stairs, I noticed Layne giving Karina a gift. "Happy birthday, Karina!"

But today was my birthday.

And two months later, on Karina's birthday, the same parents who claimed the family wasn’t well-off didn’t hesitate to host a lavish birthday party for Karina at a luxury hotel just because she fancied inviting all her classmates.

I heard they even ordered a five-tier cake.

As for me, just like before, I was told to stay home. Their excuse was that they feared I’d cause a scene at Karina’s party, embarrassing her in front of her friends.

When they left, Karina wore a Victorian-style dress with a tiara, surrounded by Mom, Dad, and Layne, all chatting cheerfully as they headed to the hotel.

Meanwhile, their own daughter didn’t even get a slice of cake and was left at home with cold leftovers, under the guise of preventing trouble.

I didn’t complain or throw a fit. I quietly sat in my room with a book, preparing for the day I would finally leave this family behind.