"You said it yourself. Her right leg broke at home for no reason. Is she made of glass? Clearly, she's too weak to handle this kind of fortune."

Jason and Sharon remained silent. I lowered my head, feeling a tightness in my chest, unable to speak as my throat felt dry.

When I was sick before, Jason and Sharon were always worried. If I left to recover, they would call at least twice a day and visit every other day, even during storms.

But this month, not a single call from them, and no visits at all.

Maybe I looked too pitiful, and Jason finally snapped, "Enough! Just apologize! Or are you not even going to listen to me?"

Ivy frowned and reluctantly went inside, returning with a tray and a cup of warm water. "Naomi, I'm sorry. I didn't grow up with the same comforts, so no one taught me manners. Here, I'm offering you water, so forgive me."

She handed the water over with both hands. I sighed internally, just wanting to keep the peace. As I reached for the cup, Ivy gave a triumphant smirk and whispered, "You don't deserve it."

She let go of the cup, sending scalding water splashing everywhere. Most of it spilled onto my right leg, though a few drops hit her hand too.

3

Ivy let out a sharp scream, tears brimming in her eyes. "Naomi, why did you deliberately drop it? I sincerely apologized, so why did you burn me? Is it just because I'm healthy and Mom and Dad love me more?"

Jason and Sharon, along with Dylan, were startled by the commotion and rushed to Ivy's side. Sharon, full of concern, turned to me harshly. "Naomi, what's wrong with you? Did your hands stop working too? You couldn't even catch a cup of water?"

I shook my head, my voice hoarse. "It wasn't me. I hadn't even touched the cup yet. She let go herself and said I wasn't worthy. What kind of low trick is this? Do you think this is some palace drama?"

But no one seemed to believe me. Dylan glanced back at me, noticing my soaked right leg, and couldn't help but ask, "Naomi, are you burned too? Why didn't you say anything?"

I touched my thigh. Though I couldn't feel it, I knew it must be badly burned. Jason and Sharon's expressions changed slightly, as if they wanted to say something.

Ivy cried even louder. "It wasn't me, it wasn't! Naomi is clearly playing the victim! Her leg has no feeling, so she's not afraid of getting burned, but I am!"

Sharon's concern for me vanished instantly. "You're the one who's watched too many palace dramas. Ivy doesn't have such a good life, spending every day watching TV like you do.

"I've told you already. Even with Ivy back, you're still my eldest daughter. We'll give you the treatment and medicine you need, so why can't you just be satisfied?"

I just sighed. "Then can I ask, why was the tea for this apology so scalding hot? Is that a temperature anyone can actually drink?"

4

Jason and Sharon were at a loss for words, their faces flushed with embarrassment. Finally, Jason sighed. "Let's head to the hospital."

When they arrived at the hospital, both Jason and Sharon surrounded Ivy. The doctor gave her a quick check-up and said, "It's nothing serious. Just apply some burn ointment; it's a minor issue."

Ivy kept crying. "Before, I wouldn't have felt anything, but now, with Mom and Dad's love, I realize I'm a person too. I can feel pain. You won't blame me, right?"

Her words made Jason and Sharon feel even more sympathetic. Even Dylan, who was by my side, couldn't help but feel sad.

After the check-up, it turned out my burns were severe, and I needed to stay in the hospital for recovery. The only silver lining was that I didn't feel any pain. Once I was settled in my room, Sharon sat beside me and hesitated before speaking, "Naomi, no matter what happened today, you can't blame Ivy. Put yourself in her shoes. Wouldn't you be jealous if you were her?

"Your dad, Dylan, and I care about you, we really do. We've shared so many years together. But Ivy's been through so much. When you're discharged, don't stir up trouble, and stop picking on her."

I couldn't help but let out a scoff.

Sharon's face twisted in anger and embarrassment. "What are you laughing at? Did I say something wrong? You're not even in pain, so why can't you forgive Ivy? Can't you think about all the suffering she's endured for you?"

I glanced at the doorway, where Jason and Dylan were fawning over Ivy, and it made me laugh even harder. "Mom, it was you who switched the kids, not me. Ivy's suffering is your doing, not mine. If you feel guilty, don't expect me to fix it for you."

Sharon shot to her feet. "Ivy was right, you're ungrateful!"

With that, she stormed out of the room without looking back.

5

From what Sharon said, Ivy had been working hard over the past month. No wonder, after just a month, the whole family's attitude toward me had drastically changed.

Lost in thought, I was pulled back by the doctor who came in with my test results, looking confused. "Ms. Campbell, I reviewed your tests, and I find it quite strange.

"First, your eye tests show everything is normal, so why can't you see?

"Second, your leg bones and nerves are intact. Why can't you stand or feel anything?

"Third, you don't have any of the typical conditions. Why are you showing symptoms of hypertension and stroke aftereffects?"

...

The doctor kept asking questions. When I didn't respond, he assumed I didn't know either and left.

I sighed. Why?

Of course, it's because of Jason, Sharon, and Dylan.

Dylan had severe myopia but insisted on riding the world's most extreme roller coaster, which caused a retinal detachment. The doctor said one of his eyes was severely damaged, and the other might barely retain vision.

It was then I realized I was born as a human good-luck charm, or maybe a voodoo doll. I used my secret abilities to take on the Campbell family's misfortunes.

Dylan thought it was some kind of miracle, completely unaware that I had "absorbed" his eye condition.

When Sharon had a car accident and needed an amputation, I got her a prosthetic.

When Jason suffered from serious liver, kidney disease, and a stroke due to high blood pressure, he miraculously recovered.

They thought they were lucky, never realizing that I was the one carrying the burden. Reflecting on the past four years, I could only laugh at the irony.

6

I told myself to give them one more chance, as a way to repay them for raising me.

"Maybe, just maybe, they don't stop caring about me. They're just preoccupied with feeling sorry for Ivy right now, that's all. They might change."

I counted the days, waiting for my leg burn to heal, but the Campbell family never came. The nurse looked at me sympathetically. "Miss, do you need to stay a few more days?"

I shook my head. "Call me a cab, please. I want to go home."

After all, if I kept waiting, all I'd get was being forgotten.

I returned home in my electric wheelchair, only to find the house full of people, celebrating something. My heart skipped with excitement. Were they planning a surprise for me?

As I entered, the room fell silent, and everyone turned to look at me. It was only then I realized that they weren't celebrating me. They were throwing a birthday party for Ivy.

Dylan gave an awkward smile to everyone and quickly wheeled me back to my room. On the way, I could still hear the murmurs.

"Why is the fake still living here?"

"Yeah, what's the point of keeping a sick person around?"

...

Dylan took me to my room. Before I could ask, he said, "Ivy mentioned that she hadn't celebrated her birthday in over 20 years. She said she was always envious that you had birthday parties, so... we decided to throw one for her."

He said more lightly, "Besides, you don't really like crowds, so it's better you don't attend."

"I don't like crowds?

Ever since I turned 18 and lost most of my vision, the Campbell family never threw me a big birthday party. It was always just a family meal, and they would claim, 'You don't like crowds.'

I used to not care, but looking back, I realized that wasn't true.

They were just ashamed of me.

7

After what felt like forever, the birthday party ended, and the house grew quiet.

One by one, they came to my room. Ivy begrudgingly handed me a slice of cake, speaking rudely, "Did I owe you in a past life or something? You took my parents and brother for so many years, and now that I'm finally back, you ruin my happiest moments every time! What do you want from me?

"Last time, you interrupted the family photo and made me go to the hospital for burns! I still have a scar on my hand because of you!

"This time, I even changed the date of my birthday just for you, but you still ruined it! And now you're pretending to be pitiful. Are you trying to say that Mom, Dad, and Dylan mistreat you?"

I shook my head. "My return date was set long ago. Who really chose this date, Ivy? I think you know better than anyone."

Ivy, furious, turned to Sharon and Jason. "Mom, Dad, please just agree with me. I've already found a great nursing home for her! Everyone there is like her. She'll fit in perfectly!"