Departure in Despair

Remy and I were twins. Today was our birthday.

Many years ago, little Remy was kidnapped while playing outside. This day was her second birthday after she was finally found.

My dad, mom, and older brother treated this occasion with utmost seriousness. So much so, they began the preparations a few months ago. However, they had completely forgotten my birthday, which was on the same day.

Only when Remy was showing off about it yesterday did I find out everything.

"Fiona, Dad and Mom said they've prepared a super-duper birthday party for me! Do you know anything about it? I can't stop myself from being excited just by thinking about it!" she bragged.

I knew the party had nothing to do with me, so I didn't answer her.

When Remy didn't get the reaction she wanted, she continued, "Ah, I forgot! Seems like Dad and Mom won't let you join. It's fine, though. If you want to come, I can tell them to let you join us."

She raised her head, parading in front of me like a victorious peacock.

"It's fine," I answered coldly.

When Remy had just been brought home, I thought she was exactly the way she presented herself—innocent and harmless. This impression was how I fell into her trap. She framed me for all kinds of things, all the while playing the victim and earning my parents' indulgent love.

It was all thanks to her that my relationship with my family worsened.

Remy grinned deviously.

"How sad, Fiona! You're the one they've lived with for a decade, but I became the apple of their eyes instead. How can you be such a failure? But you owe me everything! If you're the one who got kidnapped all those years ago, I wouldn't have suffered so much."

There was only jealousy and malice in her eyes, but they quickly returned to normal.

"Oh, right. Do you know how Dad and Mom described you, Fiona? They said you're cruel and selfish, and that you're unworthy of being their daughter! You're such a failure in this family, Fiona!"

I could feel the sting deep in my heart.

My mission here was to alleviate the sorrows of the parents whose daughter had been kidnapped. After so many years, I had already treated them like my parents.

Now that they had Remy, they hated me.

It was time for me to go.

When the System found me and asked me if I had second thoughts, I immediately said no. Whatever that was never mine in the first place wasn't mine, no matter what had happened.

Once again, my door was opened from the other side.

Remy looked like a culprit who returned to the scene of the crime to enjoy her handiwork. When she looked at the cream on me, she waved in disdain.

"Why haven't you cleaned yourself up yet, Fiona? That low-grade cream fits you perfectly! You're just as abhorrent."

I continued to wipe away the cream on my hair, ignoring her provocations.

It wasn't the first time she would come to provoke me after something similar had happened. In the past, I would still talk back to her. Then, she would just use that as an opportunity to cry to my parents. After that, I decided to stay silent.

Seeing that I had ignored her, Remy turned and looked around my room, trying to see if there was anything new that she could take for herself.

"Today's my birthday. Dad, Mom, and Blake gave me lots of presents! What are you going to give to me, Fiona?"

Remy crossed her arms over her chest, not finding anything appropriate about her demanding a gift from me. In the past, I would ask her why she didn't think of giving me a present first. Now, it no longer mattered.

Remy glanced at what was on the table. Instantly, her eyes lit up with interest and she made a grab for it.

"A draft for the design competition? I didn't expect you to join this competition without me in secret!"

Her eyes flashed with a sly gleam, and she quickly hid the draft behind her.

"Since you didn't prepare any presents for me," she ordered arrogantly, "give me this as my birthday present! It's just a drawing, so you won't mind, right?"

I looked at what Remy was hiding behind her. It was a draft I had finalized after three months of editing and constant feedback from my teachers. In the past, I had placed all my hopes on it. I had wanted to use it to win a prize and salvage my relationship with my family. My parents had always been delighted whenever I got good grades.

Now, however, I no longer had any use for it.

I turned my attention away and continued cleaning my hair while looking in the mirror. "If you want it, then you can have it."

Remy's eyes widened with surprise. She didn't expect me to react with such indifference.

It wasn't the first time she wanted to take something away from me. Before, I would resist her every time. Only when my parents and Blake yelled at me would I give it to her. By now, she had taken so much from me that it made no difference if she took one more.

Maybe because I was too calm, Remy became unhappy instead. She angrily clenched her fists and glared daggers at me.

"Don't think I'll remember how well you treat me! I won't forgive you for everything that has happened in the past just because you gave me a thing or two! You owe me everything, I tell you! If you're the one who got kidnapped all those years ago, I could also enjoy eighteen happy years of life! I didn't have to start working even when the sky was still dark! I should have everything that you have right now!" she shrieked.

Remy's eyes were red as she ran out of my room.