After I had been completely swept up in his sweet words, the boy exposed numerous recordings and videos of me and him.

In an instant, I became the laughingstock of everyone, utterly disgracing the Lowe family.

At the time, my dad was so enraged that he struck me, sending me sprawling to the ground.

"I knew sending you to a private school would end like this! You’ve completely ruined the Lowe family’s reputation!"

My dad cared deeply about his reputation, and I had shattered it.

Now, his thoughts were no different—it was still all about protecting his image.

Leila could uphold their reputation whereas he thought I couldn’t.

"I only want to go to a public school. Let me attend Shaw City High," I said firmly.

My mom tried to persuade me, but my dad interrupted, "Enough, let her decide for herself. If we love our child, we shouldn’t force her into anything."

I almost laughed out loud but held it in.

The laugh that couldn’t escape my throat turned into a quiet bitterness deep in my heart.

…

I started high school at Shaw City High.

This school was the farthest from home, so after two weeks of classes, I suggested living on campus.

The family was surprised at dinner.

Even Shane, who rarely came home, frowned at me. "Live on campus? Carol, why does it feel like you’re keeping your distance from us?

"You’ve been back for more than half a month now, and you’re still not used to being home?"

How could I ever get used to it?

I had endured three painful years here before, and I never adjusted.

"It’s more convenient for studying," I replied calmly.

Shane narrowed his eyes but said nothing.

My mom held my hand tightly. "Carol, is something bothering you? I always feel like you’re not connecting with us..."

She was right—I wasn’t.

That was why I wanted to keep my distance. Out of sight, out of mind.

"I just want to focus better on my studies," I explained again.

Beside us, Leila’s eyes turned red, brimming with tears. "Sister, you must hate me, don’t you? If you don’t want me around, I’ll go live on campus instead. I won’t appear in front of you anymore."

With that, she got up and began packing her things.

I smiled.

“Leila, you’re in quite the hurry, aren’t you?” I thought.

Over the past two weeks, she had been doing everything she could to provoke me—stirring up trouble, trying to anger me, or tarnishing my name.

But I never fought back or competed, staying as calm and unbothered as a leaf floating downstream.

She didn’t know how to deal with me.

Now that she finally saw an opportunity, she was quick to play the victim, putting on her little act.

Anyone with half a brain could see through her ploy.

Naturally, my parents and Shane noticed it too, but they didn’t care. Their favoritism toward Leila was obvious.

Shane set his utensils down and said, "Leila, what are you talking about? Why would you live on campus? Sit down."

Sniffling, Leila obediently sat back down.

My dad seized the moment and agreed to my request. "Since Carol wants to live on campus, let her. It’s not a big deal."

Of course, it wasn’t a big deal—especially since I already lived on campus in my past life.

Or more accurately, I lived in a rented room near the school.

Back then, Leila had constantly picked fights and spread rumors about me.

Immature as I was, I couldn’t hold back and ended up brawling with her.

We tumbled down the stairs.

I came out unscathed, but Leila’s head was bleeding badly.

I thought I won. But when the family rushed over, I realized just how thoroughly I had lost.

My mom cradled Leila, tears streaming down her face in distress.

My dad was furious. He grabbed me by the arm and yelled, "Carol Lowe, what were you thinking? Have you lost your mind?"

Shane was home too.

Without a word, he kicked me. "Do you think this is the countryside? Who told you it was okay to fight like some stray dog? Apologize to Leila!"

…

The entire family’s anger poured down on me.

Terrified, I stammered out an apology while Leila sobbed as she packed her things.

Through her tears, she said, "Since Carol doesn’t like me. I’ll move out and give her the house."

Naturally, my family wouldn’t let her go and pleaded with her to stay, their hearts aching for her.

I stood off to the side, lost in thought.

Shane suddenly turned to me and snapped, "You made a mistake and don’t even know how to show any remorse? Honestly, you should be the one moving out. There’s only room for Leila in this house!"

His words jolted me awake. No wonder my parents always looked at me as if they had something to say but held back.

It turned out they wanted me to leave on my own.

It felt like a slap of reality, finally shaking me out of the naïve, late-blooming girl I used to be.

I moved out, forced to leave my family behind.

I lived in that rented apartment for two whole years.

…

Bringing my thoughts back to the present, I went upstairs to pack my things.

I was moving out early just as they wanted.

…

I rented a small apartment near Shaw City High instead of living on campus.

Only a housekeeper came by to help organize things.

She looked puzzled and asked me quietly, "Miss, are Mr. and Mrs. Lowe really okay with you living here alone? Why haven’t they come by?"

Of course, they wouldn’t come.

Leila wasn’t in a good mood again, and they were busy comforting her.

Seeing I didn’t respond, the housekeeper awkwardly tried to console me. "Maybe they’re just busy. I’m sure they’ll come to see you once they’re free."

But she misjudged the situation.

My parents and brother never came to visit me.

The only thing my mom offered was a phone call. "Carol, have you settled in? Oh, I hate the idea of you living alone out there. It really worries me."

I told her I was fine.

She sighed a few more times but didn’t have much else to say.

See? Without even a shred of love, what words could they possibly offer?

After hanging up, I looked around at my small, private space and smiled a genuine, heartfelt smile.

Finally, I no longer had to be the intruder.

Life became much simpler after that.

Eat, sleep, study—the same routine every day, without having to think about my family.

They didn’t think about me either.

Over a month had passed since I moved out, and not a single phone call came from them.

It felt as though we were dead to each other.

…

One day, I ran into Leila.

On my way back to the apartment after school, I spotted her on a motorcycle, leading a noisy group through the streets. She cut through the alleys like she owned the place, exuding confidence.

I froze for a moment.

Leila was the heiress of a wealthy corporation. She shouldn’t be tearing through the streets on a motorcycle, acting like a rebellious gang leader.

If Mom and Dad saw this, she’d be scolded for sure.

She noticed me too. With a sharp rev of the engine, she pulled up right in front of me.

Before I could say a word, she took off her helmet and gave me a playful, assessing look. "Carol, long time no see."

I responded with a simple, "Yeah."

She flipped her hair, crossed her arms with an air of arrogance, and asked coolly, "So, Mom and Dad haven’t called you even once, have they?"

I nodded.

She smirked and asked if I wanted to know why.

I shook my head.

She carried on without waiting for a response. “Actually, they did want to call you. But every time they tried, I’d cry. To keep me happy, they just didn’t call.

"Of course, the real reason is that they resent you!"

I listened in silence.

Leila held back a laugh. “You’ve been back for quite a while, yet you’re not even close to Mom, Dad, or Shane. Don’t you think they’d hold a grudge against you for that?

"Honestly, I didn’t expect to win without even trying. I used to be so scared of you—terrified you’d come back and take my place.

“But in the end? You left on your own and handed everything over to me. So, thanks for that."

As she spoke, she carefully studied my expression, trying to gauge my reaction.

She wanted to know if I was naturally clueless or if I had stepped aside on purpose.

I felt like laughing.