A Fake Poverty that My Parent Build for Me

"There are, there are! I was just waiting for you to say yes!" Professor Joe’s excitement was palpable through the phone. "You’re my best student, Naomi. If you go abroad to further your studies, your future will be limitless!"

I felt my throat tighten. "But, Professor, the tuition and living expenses..."

"The school will cover it all. You don’t have to worry about a thing."

Hearing those words, a wave of emotions surged within me. A mix of relief, gratitude and something I hadn’t felt in a long time—warmth.

"Thank you, Professor!" I whispered, my voice trembling.

After hanging up, I sat in silence for a long moment, letting the reality of my decision sink in. Just then, the front door creaked open.

"Little Feather, come see what we brought you!" Mom’s cheerful voice rang through the house.

I stepped out of my room and found them holding a bag of my once-favorite candy canes.

"Little Feather, we’re sorry about last night," Mom said as she placed the candy in my hand. She stroked my hair gently, her voice filled with false remorse. "Once we come back from this business trip, we’ll take you to the movies."

Dad nodded. "I’ll buy you two buckets of popcorn then."

I stared at them, my expression unreadable.

"Okay," I replied flatly.

They took my response as a sign that everything was back to normal. Without another word, they hurriedly packed their things, left a hundred-dollar bill on the table and prepared to leave once more.

Just as they were stepping out the door, Mom turned back, her expression slightly nervous. "Oh, by the way, if any packages arrive in the next few days, don’t open them, alright?"

I nodded mechanically, though my mind was already racing.

They’ve never specifically told me not to open a package before. Which meant—it had to be from Celline.

Sure enough, that evening, the doorbell rang. A courier stood outside, holding a small parcel. I signed for it, hesitating for only a second before flipping it over to check the sender’s address.

My suspicion was right. This was for Celline. Mom and Dad didn’t want her coming to the house directly, so they had her packages sent here instead. Something inside me snapped.

Before I left, there was one thing I needed to know—what was so special about Celline? What made her more deserving of my parents’ love than me?

I followed the address to a grand, detached villa. Two bodyguards stood at the entrance, keeping watch.

The doors were slightly ajar and through the gap, I could see Celline seated at an elegant grand piano, playing effortlessly. She wore a noble, custom-tailored dress. She looked graceful, refined—everything I wasn’t. Compared to my simple, worn-out clothes, the difference between us was staggering.

One of the guards caught sight of me and scowled. "Go beg for food somewhere else. This isn’t a place for the likes of you. Get lost."

I didn’t move. I couldn’t. I just stood there, frozen, staring inside.

Celline must have noticed me because she suddenly lifted her hands from the piano keys and gracefully stood up. With a slight smirk, she glanced at the bodyguards. "Let her in."

I stepped inside, my eyes darting around the luxurious interior. Chandeliers, marble floors, priceless paintings—everything exuded wealth. Memories of my cramped little bedroom flashed through my mind, making my chest tighten with resentment.

"Have you always believed you lived a happy life? That your classmates and teachers envied you for having such ‘loving’ parents?" Celline’s voice was soft, almost pitying.

I clenched my fists. "What are you trying to say?"

"What I’m saying is," she continued, tilting her head slightly, "your so-called happiness is nothing but a joke."

A cold smirk played on her lips as she gestured around the room. "Look at this villa. Look at my piano. Look at the dress I’m wearing. Every single thing here is custom-made, designed specifically for me."

She took a step closer. "And what have Mom and Dad given you? Hand-me-down clothes? Leftover food?"

Her voice dropped to a whisper, taunting. "Oh and let’s not forget—while you were staying up late, working hard and worrying about them, they were here. With me."

Each word cut deeper than the last.

I could feel the tears stinging my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. "I worked hard. I studied. I gave up everything for them!" My voice cracked. "Why... why wasn’t that enough?"

Celline chuckled, her tone dripping with mockery. "Because you’re ugly and dull."