“Yes. Last time I went to his company to deliver a contract, he mistook me for you. When he realized I wasn’t, he invited me to dinner.”

Verena lowered her gaze. “He said… he knew you’d been gone for eight years. His parents don’t want a daughter-in-law with no education. They just didn’t know how to break it off with you.”

Something inside me shattered, then stitched itself back together with jagged edges. My smile felt uglier than a cry.

Mom rolled her eyes, contempt written all over her face.

“What did I tell you? He’s not blind. You were just a fling to him—how could he possibly choose you for marriage? If I hadn’t introduced Verena, he’d have dumped you long ago.”

She jabbed a finger at me. “And you still dare get angry? Can’t you see I’m doing this for your own good?”

Verena’s eyes filled with tears as she tugged at my sleeve.

“Sister… if you really like Brother Nick, you can secretly pretend to be me after we get married and meet him. I don’t mind—we’re sisters, after all.”

I’d seen this act too many times. Every time she wanted something, she’d offer it to me first “out of kindness.” The next day, my parents would buy it for her, praising her as sweet and selfless. Meanwhile, my tears only made me the problem child.

I smiled faintly. “No need. After tonight, you’ll be the only daughter in this family. You don’t have to keep pretending.”

I turned away to pack my bags. Verena’s expression shifted instantly.

“Mom, she’s really leaving? What about my one-thousand-five-hundred-allowance?”

“You’d better think of something,” she hissed.

Dad snorted. “Allowance? She wants back all the money she gave me before! What kind of debt collector did I raise? If I’d known she’d turn out like this, I’d have let her rot in the countryside!”

They argued outside my door for a long time. By the time I zipped my suitcase, their tones had changed completely.

Mom walked in with a plate of sweet-and-sour ribs, her voice suddenly soft.

“Mira, you’ve had such a hard day at work, haven’t you? Did something happen at the office to upset you? Your parents were just harsh earlier—don’t take it to heart. We’re your family. We’d never hurt you.”

I looked at the dish, cold and unmoved.

“Mom, I actually hate eating meat. Every time I do, I throw up for hours. Do you know why?”

Her smile stiffened. “Why? You never told me that.”

“Because ten years ago, you never fed me. I was starving. I had no choice but to dig bugs from the ground and catch mice in the house.”

My voice was calm, as if I were reciting someone else’s story.

Dad’s face darkened. “Eat it or not, don’t trouble your mother!”

Verena shot him a warning glance, then turned back to me with her sugary smile.

“Sis, if you don’t like it, just stop eating it at home. Mom means well—you can’t make her sad. What’s past is past. By dragging it up, aren’t you stabbing Mom and Dad in the heart?”

I met her gaze.

“Verena, do you know how revolting your acting is?”

I lifted my bag. “If you’re done, move. I have overtime tonight. I’ll sort out the accounts and transfer the money back.”

I headed for the door. Behind me, Mom dropped to the ground, clutching her head and sobbing.

“You finally came home, and now you’re grown up and leaving. What am I supposed to do?”

Mom clutched at me, her voice breaking.

“You’re my flesh and blood. How could I not love you? It’s impossible to treat everyone the same, but I’ve done my best. And you’re still not satisfied. Fine—take my life if that’s what you want!”

I froze, then exhaled, utterly drained.

“Why would I want your life? You don’t owe me anything. I don’t owe you anything. Our family’s just fine as it is.”

Her eyes rolled back, and suddenly she dropped to her knees in front of me.

“You’re blaming me for introducing Nick to Verena, aren’t you? Fine, I was wrong—your mother was wrong!” She slammed her forehead against the floor, blood instantly welling up. “Forgive me this once. I’ll take a hundred thousand from my retirement tomorrow, give it to a matchmaker, and find you a rich husband. I won’t hesitate!”

Dad shot up, glaring.

“Do you see this? You’ll drive your own mother to her death! If nothing else, we’ll kneel too. It’s all our fault you were even born!”

And with that, he dropped down beside her.

Verena let out a choked sob.

“Sister, I know you hate me. After I get married, I’ll move out. I’ll never fight you for our parents’ affection again. Just don’t leave. You don’t know how much they missed you during those eight years…”

I numbly pulled a photo album from the drawer. Before I left, I wanted to at least take some of my own pictures. But when I opened it, every page was filled with smiling photos of the three of them. Not one of me.

I pointed at a snapshot of them on the beach.

“Is this the eight years you’re talking about?”

I flipped to another, the three of them laughing at a claw machine.

“Or this one?”

My voice was steady, but bitter. “Truly touching. The joy really does come from my sorrow.”

Their faces tightened with guilt, but none of them could speak. Looking at their expressions—identical in selfishness—I felt a sudden, icy smile stretch across my face. Truly a family. Even their cruelty matches.

Then Dad’s phone rang. I answered, and a cheery voice rang out.

“Mr. Locke! Congratulations, I heard your daughter just got engaged. Why didn’t you tell me? I would’ve sent a cash gift to my goddaughter! If it weren’t for your Instagram post, I wouldn’t have known. After all, you only have one daughter—Verena!”

My blood ran cold. Ten years I’d been back, and for ten years they’d hidden me. To the outside world, I didn’t exist. He even blocked me from his IG story.

I sneered into the receiver.

“Yes, my sister’s getting married. Don’t forget to send the money—for my parents’ cash gift.”

Snapping the phone shut, I grabbed my suitcase. Verena lunged forward, clutching the handle.

“Sister, you can’t leave! Mom and Dad won’t survive without you. Please—if someone has to go, I’ll go instead!”

I turned on her, voice like ice.

“You’re not trying to stop me—you just can’t bear to lose the 1,500 dollars a month.”

I leaned close.

“Remember this, Verena: everything you have now came from me. And one day, I’ll take back every penny.”

I pulled the suitcase from her grip and headed for the door.

At the stairwell, footsteps pounded behind me. Verena lunged again—but in her haste, she misstepped. With a sharp gasp, she tumbled down the stairs.

A scream split the hallway.

Mom rushed forward, cradling Verena in her arms, her face twisted with anguish.

“Si Si, my dear girl, are you hurt? Hold on, I’ll take you to the hospital!”

Dad stormed over and slapped me across the face.

“Miranda, when will you stop making trouble? Verena is your own sister! If you hadn’t run off years ago, none of this would’ve happened. She stayed with us for eight years—what right do you have to raise a hand against her?”

His voice thundered.

“I’m telling you now, Verena is my only daughter. If you dare touch her again, you’ll be the death of me! And don’t even think about leaving without five hundred thousand!”

So that was it. All about money.

Verena lay limp in Mom’s arms. Fury consumed her as she abandoned her daughter and lunged at me, clawing and striking.

“You lunatic! How could I have birthed a monster like you? No wonder you were kidnapped—you deserved it! Eight years of torture wasn’t enough. You’re nothing but a parasite, a debt collector, a bloodsucking demon!”

Her blows split my skin; I fought back so hard my fingernails tore from their beds, blood soaking my sleeves. My screams echoed, rattling the building.

I saw a neighbor’s door crack open—just as my father kicked me down the stairs. Then he bowed low, his voice suddenly contrite.

“Sorry, everyone. Our daughter’s unstable. She’s lost control again. We’ll take her home right away.”

Murmurs rose in the hall.

“I knew the Locke family had a lunatic. Turns out it’s true—an adopted girl, no less. How ungrateful.”

“Poor Verena. Beaten by her own sister for no reason.”

Despite Father’s excuses, the police still arrived. Verena was rushed to the hospital. My parents, without hesitation, dragged me in front of the officers.

“She pushed Verena down the stairs!” Mom cried.

Dad added grimly, “Her injuries are severe. The wedding might be delayed. She must pay compensation! Half a million—or we’ll see her in court.”

Blood and tears stung my face as I trembled.

“Fine. Then we’ll go to court. Let’s settle this once and for all. Since you don’t want me, we’ll cut ties here.”