Grace put away her guilty look. Her face was buried in Amy's arms, full of satisfaction.

The first time I saw that smug expression was when I was sixteen.

That year, I represented my school in a citywide speech competition.

My dad was on a business trip out of town.

My teacher gave me three tickets. "Evelyn, I worked hard to get these tickets for you. Your family will be so proud to see your performance."

I handed out the tickets.

But by the time the competition ended, I hadn't seen a single person.

Some classmates openly accused me, "No one even showed up, and you hogged all those tickets. So selfish."

"Just because the teacher likes you doesn't mean your family cares."

I wanted to explain, but no one listened. I hid in a corner and cried for a long time.

On my way home, I saw Grace's post on WhatsApp. "I've got a fever. Mom and Matthew stayed with me all day. I'm so lucky."

The picture was a cozy shot of the three of them in the living room, along with a thermometer reading 99.5°F.

"99.5°F, such a serious fever, huh?"

I was furious.

Amy was even angrier. "I didn't forget. I just didn't want to go. It's just a competition. What's so great about it? Is your sister's health less important than your silly contest? So selfish."

Matthew also scolded me for being petty. "Grace had a fever. Don't be so narrow-minded. There'll be other competitions. We'll make it up to you."

I cried, tears streaming down my face.

But Amy shoved me out the door. "Cry, cry, cry. That's all you do. Get outside and cry as much as you want. You're such bad luck."

Teenagers are rebellious, and I was no exception.

After calling my dad, I ran to a bar to drink.

Back then, I thought getting drunk was the only way to forget my troubles.

Halfway through my drink, my dad found me. He had rushed back, pushing aside his business.

He didn't scold me. Instead, his large hands held mine tightly. "Now, who's this crying their eyes out?

"A young girl drinking alone in a bar? That's not good. It's not safe. If you want to drink, I'll drink with you."

He held my hand and we walked along the riverside for a long time. "Don't blame your mom. She's tough on the outside but soft on the inside. She went through a lot to find your sister.

"You've got me, though. Don't worry. I'll always love and spoil you, Evelyn."

But, unfortunately, lifetime promises aren't so easy to keep.

While driving home on the highway, a reckless street racer lost control and crashed straight into our car.

In the moment our car flipped over, he held me in his arms.

I survived, but he died from blood loss.

At the hospital, Amy pressed my dad's picture hard against my chest, her eyes bloodshot as she demanded, "How could you be so selfish? All over something so small, you made your dad come back. Now he's dead. Are you happy?

"Why wasn't it you who died?"

Matthew slammed the table so hard it shook. "Evelyn, from now on, you're no longer my sister. You're disgusting."

I knelt, sobbing, begging for their forgiveness, my tears hitting the ground in large drops.

At that moment, I truly felt I deserved to die. I should've been the one.

I didn't attend my dad's funeral. Amy wouldn't let me.

Matthew blocked me at the door. "Get lost. Don't come here and disgust us."

I felt like a rat tossed into the mud, struggling helplessly.

Back then, standing behind Matthew, Grace looked at me with that same smugness expression.

After Amy got Grace to sleep at night, she stayed in her room until dawn.

Matthew thoughtfully prepared breakfast. "What's wrong with Grace? Do you want me to take her to a therapist?"

"It's fine, she'll be better in a few days. Just spend more time with her during this period."

I stood by the bed, watching the deep bond between mother and daughter, and the closeness of siblings. All I felt was numbness.

I used to be the one they doted on like that.

They always said how much they loved me. Back then, even if I just lost a hair, Amy would check if I was lacking any nutrients.

When I was bullied at school, it was Matthew who stood up for me. During school sports meets, he ran alongside me with a water bottle.

Right after, he'd be the first to give me water and help me walk slowly.

He once said he would protect me, his little sister, for life.

But when Grace came back, everything changed.

Even my name was changed back from Grace to Evelyn.

"Grace is your sister's name. From now on, you'll be Evelyn.

"Your sister's been through a lot out there. Give her the room with the sunlight. I partitioned off the bathroom; you stay there for now."

At dinner, a spoon struck the back of my hand. "You've had plenty of good things. Leave the crab for your sister."

Matthew even tried to comfort me back then, "Just let it go. You've enjoyed Grace's share of blessings for so many years. You should be grateful."

But I never asked for this. I never wanted to take her place. It was all given to me by them.

The memories slowly faded away, and at some point, my face had become wet with tears.

After breakfast, Amy told Matthew to stay home with Grace while she drove to the hospital.

I drifted into the passenger seat next to her. I couldn't remember how long it had been, but this was my first time alone with her.

Once we got to the hospital, Sophia found her.

"I heard there's been a major case in our city."

Hearing this, Amy's face turned a bit uncomfortable, her eyes showing a hint of guilt. "W-What is it?"

"I heard there was a home invasion murder in the Rivera area last night."

Amy involuntarily took a deep breath when she heard this.

"That's the police's job to handle, what does it have to do with us?"

"Have you forgotten? Evelyn lives there. It's not safe anymore. You should call her and ask her to come home for a few days."

Hearing Sophia mention me again, Amy's eyes showed impatience. "What could happen to that troublemaker? She's tough."

Sophia had watched me grow up and had always tried to mend the relationship between Amy and me.

Seeing Amy's reaction, Sophia sighed helplessly. "We've known each other for so many years. You remember how strained things were between me and my mother-in-law. There was a time when I wished every day she'd just pass away.

"I always blamed her for keeping me and my first love apart, and I thought she ruined my life. But in reality, she had sharp instincts. My first love ended up a mess. He's drinking, gambling, never making anything of himself. He drove away several wives.

"I finally understood her intentions and wanted to make peace. But what happened? She had a stroke and passed away in her sixties.

"She died without ever hearing me say I was sorry. Every time I dream of her, I wake up with my pillow soaked in tears. If only I'd known then. I was just too stubborn, refusing to apologize."

Seeing that Amy remained silent, Sophia continued, "As doctors, we've seen so many farewells and regrets. I'm telling you this because I don't want you to live with regrets. Don't wait until it's too late to say you're sorry."

As she spoke, this strong woman of the industry had tears welling up in her eyes. She wiped them away and headed off to check on her patients.

Watching Sophia's retreating figure, I couldn't hold back my tears any longer. They streamed down my face uncontrollably.