She coveted everything about me.

My possessions, my experiences, and even my men.

So one night, my mother pushed me into an older man's bedroom.

The next day, she asked with a smug smile, "Nina, how was your night with the older guy?"

I rubbed my sore waist, recalling his broad shoulders, long legs, and trim waist from the night before.

I smiled as I answered her.

"That fiancé of mine is all yours now. Just remember—I’ll be your Aunt-in-law in the future.”

The person behind me suddenly wrapped an arm around my waist, his body heat burning against my skin.

"Be good now," he whispered, his voice husky.

Rising temperature, heated skin, and irregular breathing mingled together.

My legs gradually wrapped around his waist, my voice changing from resistance to seduction.

I opened my eyes in the morning light without even glancing at the man beside me.

Silently, I dressed and left the room.

When I got home, my mother looked up from brewing tea, her eyes filled with expectation.

"Mom," I said, my voice raw, "I'll break off my engagement with Alex Channing and marry Lucas Channing instead."

Seeing her satisfied nod, I gave a bitter smile, then asked, ”Mom, what exactly did you put in that coffee yesterday?"

Panic flashed across her eyes for just a moment before she composed herself. "It was just a cup of coffee! What—you think I'd poison my own daughter?

"So ungrateful! Don't expect me to make you anything ever again!"

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes briefly. "Fine."

Under her stream of insults, I dragged myself back to my room.

A cramped 7-square-meter space, no windows, just a ventilation opening—originally a storage closet.

When I had to return to this house at age 7 for school, they converted it into my "bedroom."

Though they'd sealed the pipe opening, on rainy days, a musty smell still seeped through the cracks.

For 18 years, footsteps from upstairs had woken me every night.

But today, when I buried myself under my thin blanket, I had the deepest, most peaceful sleep of my life.

Because that cup of coffee had killed the last bit of warmth I felt for this family.

From now on, I would expect nothing from them.

Once your heart dies, you stop being afraid of anything.

From an early age, Lucy Sanders always liked to take my things, even though she never lacked anything.

It was as if everything of mine should rightfully be hers.

Anything that belonged to me would inevitably catch her eye.

I loved writing stories, but couldn't keep a single one safe.

No matter how well I hid them, she would find and take them.

Then, by the next morning, I'd discover the shredded remains of my manuscripts in the trash.

Dad didn't want to get involved, and Mom always took Lucy's side. If I so much as shed a tear, she'd scold me, “It's just some worthless paper! Are you seriously blaming your sister?"

If I exchanged more than a few words with any boy, the very next day Lucy would be hanging on his arm, introducing him right in front of me, "Let me introduce you to my boyfriend."

Then there was Alex Channing. His grandmother and my grandma had been close friends since childhood, so Alex and I had met when we were very young.

When we crossed paths again in college, he was particularly kind to me.

As we spent more time together, we naturally fell in love.

Alex was my first love, and I cherished our relationship deeply.

Being in college, I had temporarily escaped Lucy's orbit. I didn't care about losing other things, but Alex was—apart from my grandma—the only person in the world who treated me with genuine kindness.

Although Alex promised me countless times that he loved only me, just thinking about Lucy and her greedy eyes filled me with dread.

So nobody in my family except my grandma knew about my relationship with Alex.

But a year ago, my grandma's health began to deteriorate. Worried about what might happen to me after she was gone, she specially sought out Alex's grandmother and formally arranged an engagement between Alex and me.

My grandma understood my insecurities and wanted to use her influence to add a layer of protection to my relationship.

But the day after our engagement was announced, Lucy showed up at our classroom early in the morning, asking for Alex by name.

When I saw her, I felt my blood run cold, inch by inch.

At first, Alex genuinely treated her just as a somewhat spoiled older sister.

But three months ago, I went home unexpectedly to pick up some materials.

That's when I saw Alex by my house, leaning against his car door. Lucy came running out the front door and threw herself into his arms.

Alex lowered his head to kiss her, not even noticing I was standing a short distance away.

My hand unconsciously tightened, lighting up my phone screen. Just one minute earlier, Alex had texted me: "Sorry, Nina. I've got a team gathering today, so I can't keep you company."

I stood not far behind them, watching Lucy wrap herself around Alex like a snake, shooting me a smug smile.

By the time I woke up, it was already past 2 PM.

Lucy was sitting in the living room playing with her phone, wearing a spaghetti-strap nightgown. When she saw me come out of the bedroom, she looked up, malice gleaming in her eyes.

"How was the old man's taste?

"Someone dark like you who only writes horror stories—did you actually enjoy it?"

I often wrote mystery novels, and since Lucy discovered this, she frequently used it to mock me for being mentally disturbed.

I paused, instinctively recalling the man from last night.

Broad shoulders, long legs, narrow waist—my hands still remembered the feel of solid muscle.

Hmm... not bad, actually?

Lucas Channing had been sent abroad in middle school. Apparently, Mrs. Channing spoiled her younger son terribly, and he had developed quite a reputation for his bad behavior.

He'd been back for nearly two years but never went to the Channing publishing house.

"I heard Lucas Channing looks particularly creepy," Lucy said lazily. "His body's been wrecked by drinking and women. Perfect match for you, Nina, don't you think?"

Yes, this handsome guy was indeed perfect for me.

"Sure thing."

"Lucy, that fiancé of mine is all yours now. Just remember I’ll be your Aunt-in-law in the future."

Not seeing the tears and misery she expected, Lucy's face darkened as she spat through gritted teeth, "Still playing tough, huh? Go ahead and serve that old man for the rest of your life!

"I'm the one who's going to marry Alex and spend my life with him!

"You're nothing. Now that the old lady is in hell, let's see who backs you up!"

I didn't care how Lucy insulted me, but when she started badmouthing my grandmother, I couldn't stand it anymore.

I stepped forward and grabbed her hair, snarling, "Don't you dare insult my grandmother!"

Lucy grabbed my collar and shrieked, "I will! That old hag should have died sooner! She belongs in hell, boiling in oil and being eaten by demons!"

Furious, I shouted, "Shut your mouth!"

I swung my arm and slapped her face several times.

Lucy had been pampered all her life—she was no match for me in a fight.

I was slamming her head against the wall when the front door opened and our dear parents finally returned.

They rushed over and pulled us apart, but not before I managed one final kick at Lucy.

Mom held Lucy, whose face was swollen like a pig's head, and screamed so loudly my eardrums nearly burst.

Dad didn't even ask what happened. He just came over and slapped me, his eyes full of rage.

"Nina Sanders, have you lost your mind? Beating your sister like this over some man?"

I held my cheek and stared at him. My voice was defiant, but tears filled my eyes. "I hit her because she said Grandma should rot in hell!"

Lucy, who had been sobbing in Mom's arms nearly to the point of passing out, somehow managed to cry out, "I didn't!"

Mom pointed at me, seething, "You're lying! Lucy has always been gentle and polite.

"No wonder Alex prefers Lucy over you!"

Dad clearly believed them more. His gaze grew colder—to him, the truth meant nothing. He only wanted to maintain good relations with the Channing family.

I snorted coldly, picked up my phone from the corner, and played the recording I'd just made.

Mom and Lucy never expected I'd recorded them. Their faces instantly turned ugly.

After hearing the recording, Dad turned to Lucy in disbelief, “Do you realize that Mrs. Channing and your grandmother were childhood friends?

"If she heard what you said, how could you ever marry into the Channing family?"

Only when it came to their interests did Mom feel any concern, but she still doted on Lucy too much, “She's injured so badly. Hurry and take her to the hospital. Can't whatever you have to say wait until she's better?"

I closed my eyes briefly, feeling only bleakness in my heart.

Their hearts were so filthy. Even their own daughters were just a tool for social climbing.

What chance did I have as the unfavored daughter?